ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
33
ISSUES IN TRANSLATION STUDIES: THEORETICAL AND
PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVES
Rakhimova Madinabonu
Author:
Egamberiyeva Irodaxon
Supervisor:
Affiliation: Andijan State Institute of Foreign Languages
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15533785
Abstract :
The paper discusses some of the major issues found in
translation studies. It discusses issues related to language structures, culture,
semantics, and the impact of machine translation which is rapidly evolving. It
draws from theoretical viewpoints and practical examples to depict the
challenges faced in translation studies from a worldwide perspective.
Keywords:
Translation studies, semantics, culture barriers, equivalence,
machine translation Introduction. Translation Studies,Theoretical Approaches,
Practical Translation ,Equivalence,Source Language (SL),Target Language
(TL),Translation Strategies ,Cultural, Transfer,Linguistic Challenges,Translation
Theory,Interpretation,Domestication
and
Foreignization,Semantic
and
Pragmatic Equivalence,Literal vs. Free Translation, Translation Techniques,
Skopos Theory,Translator’s Competence, Machine Translation,Translation
Ethics,Cross-cultural Communication
Translation is vital for communication throughout the world. Unfortunately,
translators encounter significant language, culture and context barriers
(Newmark, 1988). Because languages have structural, meanings and cultural
differences, translation involves a complex decision-making process and is more
than simply a mechanical process.
1.Differences in Structure
One of the biggest challenges noted in translation studies is the structural
differences between source and target languages. In this example, English is an
analytical language, whereas the Uzbek Language is agglutinating and
inflectional, philosophical and lexicon. In essence, English relies on word order
and auxiliary verbs through which meaning occurs, but there are degrees of
meaning that cannot be transferred in the structural forms of Uzbek. In the
English sentence "he has been working", for example, the time and aspectual
meanings of the verb serve as an example of how a translator in Uzbek cannot
express using the form that would be acceptable to that language.
2.Cultural Differences and Contextual Constraints
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
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Culturally-bound references, idioms, and expressions will often not have
equivalents and will not be translated in a literal way. Cultural specificity can
create misunderstanding or loss of meaning when the content transfers to
another linguistic context . For example, the English saying or idiom "kick the
bucket" is more often translated not literally, but idiomatically to something like
"vafot etmoq" in
English that conveys the implied meaning instead of the wording.
3.Semantic Ambiguity and Synonymy. While two synonyms may be very similar
in meaning, the connotations could be very different; they may not be fully
interchangeable. Translators can't choose the right words based on meaning
alone; they must pay attention to context and style, (Baker, 2018). It's especially
crucial in literary translation that the author's tone, style, and intended meaning
are communicated.
4.Machine Translation and the Human Factor
The development of technologies like machine translation - Google
Translate, DeepL etc. - seem to have enhanced the capacity of translators to do
their jobs. However, these tools are still incapable of understand context, idioms,
or nuanced expression (Pym, 2010). In this regard, human translators are still
fundamentally important for language access - especially where it involves
sensitive domains like law, diplomacy, and literature.
5.The Dilemma of Equivalence
Equivalence is a main category of translation theory but is a theoretical
concept, and rarely if ever, achieved in practice. Some words, or phrases may not
have equivalents in other languages so the translator has to be somewhat
creative in interpreting the "sense", and adapting to that sense (Jakobson, 1959).
And perhaps there's no more compelling example of equivalence being critical
for translation than in the translation of a cultural metaphor, or in features of
dialectal speech translating literally being an absolute mistake.
Conclusion
Translation is an act of language and culture while also challenging
translators to acknowledge and leverage the complex dissimilarities of the
original and target language. As we have presented, translation studies require
translators to consider challenges in translations that relate to more than simple
grammar and vocabulary. While machine translation will continue to improve, it
cannot be a substitute for the human factor of judgment of tone, understanding
of culture, and utilization of interpretative skill. Future iterations of translational
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studies can explore where human systems and artificial systems coalesce in
order to address complex translational needs.
References:
1.Baker, M. (2018). In other words: A coursebook ontranslation (3rd ed.).
2.Routledge.
3.Catford, J. C. (1965). A linguistic theory of translation: An essay in applied
linguistics. Oxford University Press.
4.Jakobson, R. (1959). On linguistic aspects of translation.
5. In R. A. Brower (Ed.), On translation (pp. 232-239). Harvard University Press.
6.Newmark, P. (1988). A textbook of translation. Prentice Hall.
7.Nida, E. A. (1964). Toward a science of translating. E. J. Brill. Pym, A. (2010).
Exploring translation theories. Routledge.
