CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ISSN: 2767-3758)
https://masterjournals.com/index.php/crjps
8
VOLUME:
Vol.06 Issue06 2025
10.37547/philological-crjps-06-06-02
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Problems of Translating Speech Acts in Detective Film
Discourse: The Comparative Study of Commissives And
Assertives In English And Uzbek Versions of Sherlock
Holmes
Tursunova Mohinur Ibrohimjon qizi
Freelance researcher (PHD), Uzbekistan
Received:
10 April 2025
Accepted:
06 May 2025
Published:
08 June 2025
INTRODUCTION
Film translation plays a crucial role in making international
cinema accessible to diverse audiences. While subtitling
and dubbing ensure linguistic accessibility, translating
speech acts – particularly the meaning, intent, and tone
conveyed through dialogue – presents unique challenges.
This issue is especially pronounced in the detective genre,
where dialogue is sharp, fast-paced, and rich with cultural
and contextual nuance. In such films, speech acts are not
only tools for character interaction but also serve critical
narrative functions, driving the plot forward and shaping
relationships between characters.
Among the various types of speech acts, commissive acts
– such as promises, threats, offers, and refusals – are
particularly significant in detective films. These acts reveal
intentions, commitments, and psychological dynamics
between characters. The Sherlock Holmes film series,
known for its complex plots and highly stylised dialogue,
provides an ideal case for examining the translation of
commissive speech acts. The linguistic choices made by
characters like Holmes and Watson are intricately tied to
their personalities and the development of suspense, which
makes preserving pragmatic meaning in translation a
difficult yet vital task.
Translating such dialogue from English into Uzbek
involves more than a literal rendering of words; it requires
ABSTRACT
This study explores the challenges involved in translating speech acts, particularly commissive and, when necessary, assertiv e
acts in the detective film genre, using the English and Uzbek versions of Sherlock Holmes as a case study. Th e intricate dialogue
and culturally loaded interactions typical of detective narratives present significant obstacles for translators. Adopting a pragmatic
framework, this research analyses how commissive speech acts (such as promises, threats, and offers) are rendered in Uzbek and
examines the extent to which their illocutionary force is preserved. Assertive acts (statements, claims) are also considered to
support the analysis, where relevant. The findings reveal frequent shifts in meaning, tone, and polit eness levels, often influenced
by linguistic and cultural norms. Special attention is given to translation strategies like modification, omission, and funct ional
equivalence, and how these choices impact the original communicative intent. This study offers practical insights into audiovisual
translation practices and suggests ways to enhance the fidelity and pragmatic effectiveness of subtitles and dubbing in cross -
cultural film translation.
Keywords:
Detective film, commissives, assertives, communicative intent, pragmatics, cross-cultural film translation, problems.
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ISSN: 2767-3758)
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maintaining pragmatic equivalence, ensuring that the
translated speech act carries the same illocutionary force
and interpersonal implications as the original. Cultural
expectations, politeness norms, and differences in how
commitments are expressed across languages all contribute
to potential mismatches. For example, a threat or promise
in English may need to be softened, intensified, or
reformulated entirely to fit Uzbek communicative norms.
This study investigates the challenges involved in
translating commissive (and, where necessary, assertive)
speech acts in the Sherlock Holmes films from English to
Uzbek. Through a comparative analysis of selected scenes,
it identifies the translation strategies employed – such as
modification, equivalence, and adaptation—and assesses
their impact on the conveyed meaning, tone, and narrative
function. The findings aim to contribute to the field of
audiovisual translation by offering insights into the
pragmatic difficulties of translating speech acts and
proposing strategies for improving translation quality in
detective film discourse.
METHODS
This study employs a qualitative, comparative research
design to investigate the challenges of translating
commissive and, where relevant, assertive speech acts in
the detective genre. The focus lies on the English and
Uzbek versions of Sherlock Holmes to identify the
strategies used to preserve or adapt the meaning, tone, and
pragmatic function of speech acts in translation. The
primary data sources are the original English-language film
and its officially dubbed Uzbek counterpart. Sherlock
Holmes is chosen due to its rich, pragmatically dense
dialogue, which makes it a compelling case for analysing
how speech acts are rendered across languages and
cultures. Selected scenes featuring prominent use of
commissive acts – such as promises, threats, and offers –
form the core of the analysis. Where necessary, assertive
speech acts (statements, deductions, and claims) are also
examined to support the investigation of pragmatic shifts
and cultural adaptations. [2-3,24]
Data Collection: The data consists of transcribed dialogue
from selected scenes in both the English and Uzbek
versions of the film. The analysis targets lines that contain
commissive and assertive speech acts. These instances are
cross-referenced with their translated counterparts to
identify shifts in meaning, illocutionary force, tone, and
politeness strategies. Special attention is paid to how
cultural norms and linguistic features influence these
changes. This research draws on speech act theory within
a pragmatic framework, focusing on the classification
proposed by J. Searle. [3-29] Commissives are speech acts
by which a speaker commits to a future course of action
(e.g., promising, threatening, offering), while assertives
represent beliefs or states of the world (e.g., stating,
affirming, concluding). Each act is analysed in terms of:
1.
Intended function in the source context
2.
Speaker-hearer relationship
3.
Cultural and social context
A contrastive analysis is conducted to compare the original
and translated versions, with emphasis on how speech acts
are restructured or retained across languages. Translation
Strategies: The study categorises the strategies observed
into several key types:
1.
Equivalence – maintaining the original speech
act’s function and force
2.
Modification – adjusting the speech act to align
with cultural expectations
3.
Adaptation – replacing the speech act with a
culturally appropriate alternative
4.
Calque – literal, direct translation
5.
Substitution – using a different type of speech act
to fulfill the same narrative role
These strategies are analyzed to evaluate how successfully
the translator has conveyed intent, tone, interpersonal
dynamics, and pragmatic effect. The analysis reveals that
commissive speech acts are particularly vulnerable to
pragmatic shifts due to differences in how commitment,
politeness, and authority are expressed in English and
Uzbek. Literal translations often result in a loss of tone or
unintended shifts in interpersonal meaning. In some cases,
cultural adaptation successfully preserves the narrative
function, while in others, the pragmatic intent is diluted or
altered. Assertive speech acts are generally more
straightforward to translate, though their tone and
formality can also shift subtly. [1-64,65]
RESULTS
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This section presents the findings from the analysis of
commissive and assertive speech acts in the English and
Uzbek versions of Sherlock Holmes. Through these
examples, we can examine how speech acts are translated
and how translation strategies impact meaning, tone, and
the intended pragmatic function of the dialogues. Below
are five examples of commissive and assertive speech acts,
including full dialogues from both the original English and
the Uzbek translation.
Example 1: Commissive – Promise of Action. English
Original:
(Holmes and Lord Coward in a tense conversation about
stopping Lord Blackwood)
Holmes: “Consider it
done. I will stop him. But not for you. And certainly not
for a price.”
Lord Coward: “Then why, Mr. Holmes?”
Holmes: “Because I have my own reasons. Now, if you’ll
excuse me, I have work to do.”
Uzbek Translation
: (Holmes va Lord Kavad o‘rtasidagi
suhbat)
Holmes: “Buni bajarilgan deb biling. Men uni
to‘xtataman. Lekin siz uchun emas. Va albatta, pul evaziga
emas.”
Lord Kavad: “Nega, janob Xolms?”
Holmes: “Chunki menimcha, bu kerak. Endi, agar uzr
so‘rasangiz, men ishlarimni davom ettiraman.”
The speech act in this example is commissive, as Holmes
promises to stop Blackwood. The translation strategy used
here is equivalence, with slight modulation in the second
sentence, softening Holmes’s reason for intervening.
While the original maintains a strong tone of personal
resolve, the translation softens the tone slightly by adding
“Chunki menimcha” (I think), making it slightly less
direct.
Example 2: Commissive – Polite Refusal. English
Original:
(Holmes refuses Mary’s request to help Watson after an
incident)
Mary: “Sherlock, Watson is in bad shape. Please, can’t
you do something?”
Holmes: “Yes, for now. I must attend to my other
patients.”
Mary: “But he’s your best friend! You can’t just leave him
like this!”
Holmes: “Mary, I am doing what I can, but I have my own
duties too. Please trust me.
Uzbek Translation
: (Mary va Xolms o‘rtasida nozik
suhbat)
Mary: “Sherlok, Vatson yomon ahvolda. Iltimos, hech
bo‘lmaganda yordam bering.”
Holmes: “Ha, hozircha. Men boshqa bemorlarim bilan
shug‘ullanishim kerak.”
Mary: “Lekin u sizning eng yaxshi do‘stingiz! Uni
shunday tashlab ketishingiz mumkinmi?”
Holmes: “Mary, men imkon qadar yordam beraman, lekin
boshqa vazifalarim ham bor. Iltimos, menga ishoning.”
In this commissive speech act, Holmes politely refuses
Mary’s request while providing reassurance. The
translation strategy used is literal translation, but the
phrasing is adjusted to fit the cultural norm of indirectness.
The phrase “Men imkon qadar yordam beraman” (I will
help as much as I can) reflects a softer approach to refusal,
demonstrating the importance of politeness in Uzbek
culture.
Example 3: Commissive – Renunciation (Promise to
Stop Pursuit) English Original
: (Holmes finally
confronts Irene Adler about ending their chase)
Holmes: “Run off! I won’t be chasing you anymore. Fare
thee well.”
Irene: “You will regret this.”
Holmes: “No, I won’t. Farewell, Irene.”
Uzbek Translation: (Holms va Irina Adler o‘rtasida
yakuniy suhbat)
Holmes: “Ketavering! Men endi sizni ortingizdan
yurmayman, omon bo’ling” Irene: “Buning uchun
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ISSN: 2767-3758)
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afsuslanasiz.”
Holmes: “Yo‘q, afsuslanmayman. Xayr, Irina.”
Holmes commits to no longer pursuing Irene, signalling the
end of their chase. In the Uzbek translation, the phrase
“Sog’, omon bo’ling” (Farewell) replaces the more
informal “Fare thee well,” which is a direct equivalent but
slightly more formal in tone. This equivalence approach
ensures that the speech act's meaning is preserved, though
the tone shifts to reflect cultural preferences for formal
speech.
Example
4:
Assertive
– Statement of Belief
(Reassurance) English Original
: (Holmes reassuring the
guard during a visit to the prison)
Guard: “Are you sure you don’t need assistance, Mr.
Holmes?”
Holmes: “I’m sure I can find my own way if you have
other duties to perform.”
Guard: “Very well. But don’t get yourself in trouble.”
Holmes: “I’ll be fine.”
Uzbek Translation
: (Xavfsizlik xodimi va Xolms
o‘rtasida suhbat)
Guard: “Janob Xolms, yordam kerak emasmi?”
Holmes: “Agar boshqa vazifalaringiz bo‘lsa, men o‘zim
yo‘lni topa olaman.”
Guard: “Xo‘p, lekin ehtiyot bo‘ling.”
Holmes: “Menga hechnima qilmaydi.”
In this assertive speech act, Holmes makes a confident
statement that he can manage on his own. The translation
closely follows the original in terms of meaning, but the
Uzbek translation softens Holmes’s response with “Menga
hechnima qilmaydi” (I really will be fine), reflecting the
more formal and polite tone in Uzbek culture.
Example 5: Assertive – Irony/Sarcastic Statement of
Fact: English Original
: (Holmes responds sarcastically to
Irene’s offer of protection)
Irene: “You’re in danger, Sherlock. You need help.”
Holmes: “I feel safer already.”
Irene: “You’re impossible.”
Holmes: “I know.”
Uzbek Translation
: (Xolms va Irina Adler o‘rtasida
kinoyalik suhbat)
Irene: “Siz xavf ostidasiz, Sherlok. Yordam kerak.”
Holmes: “O‘zimni allaqachon xavfsizroq his qilyapman.”
Irene: “Siz bilan bahislashish foydasiz.”
Holmes: “Bilaman.” [5]
The assertive speech act is ironic, with Holmes
sarcastically stating that he feels safer. The translation
softens the irony, as the direct translation “O‘zimni
allaqachon xavfsizroq his qilyapman” does not carry the
same sarcastic tone. While the meaning is preserved, the
cultural preference for directness and less sarcasm in
Uzbek may reduce the impact of the irony in the
translation.
These examples illustrate how commissive and assertive
speech acts are translated in the Uzbek version of Sherlock
Holmes. Through the analysis of these examples, it
becomes clear that translation strategies such as
equivalence, modulation, and pragmatic adaptation play a
crucial role in maintaining the meaning, tone, and
communicative function of the original speech acts.
Cultural differences in communication style, politeness,
and formality can impact how these acts are conveyed,
leading to subtle shifts in the tone and reception of the
dialogues in the target language. The findings underscore
the complexity of translating speech acts in detective films,
where dialogue often carries not just information, but also
the nuances of character relationships and narrative
tension.
Problems in commissive speech acts
: Commissive
speech acts, such as promises, offers, and threats, often
involve strong commitments that shape both character
relationships and the narrative arc. In the case of Sherlock
Holmes, these acts can reveal much about a character’s
confidence, authority, or emotional state, all of which need
to be carefully preserved in translation. Here will be
provided some examples from the dialogues given in this
article above:
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Example 1: Commissive Speech Act (Promise of
Action)
English Version
: Sherlock Holmes: "I will find the
culprit."
Watson: "How can you be so sure?"
Sherlock Holmes: "Because I always find the truth."
Context
: Holmes makes a clear promise to Watson,
assuring him that he will solve the case. This statement
establishes his commitment to action and reflects his
confidence.
Uzbek Version
: Sherlock Holmes: "Men jinoyatchini
topaman."
Watson: "Qanday qilib bunga ishonasiz?"
Sherlock Holmes: "Chunki men har doim haqiqatni
topaman."
Challenge: The primary challenge here is ensuring that the
promise carries the same weight in the target language. The
translation must preserve the certainty and the commitment
of Holmes, which could be expressed more formally in
certain cultures, potentially altering the perceived tone of
the original speech act.
Example 2: Commissive Speech Act (Promise to Act)
English Version
: Sherlock Holmes: "I will stop Moriarty
at all costs."
Watson: "And what if you fail?"
Sherlock Holmes: "Failure is not an option."
Context
: This is another strong promise, reinforcing
Holmes' unshakeable resolve. The sentence emphasizes
Holmes’ dedication and his refusal to accept failure.
Uzbek Version
: Sherlock Holmes: "Men Moriartini har
qanday holatda to‘xtataman."
Watson: "Agar muvaffaqiyatsiz bo‘lsangiz-chi?"
Sherlock Holmes: "Muvaffaqiyatsizlik imkoniyat emas."
Challenge: The challenge here is ensuring that the promise
remains as resolute and confident in the target language.
The translation needs to avoid unintended softening that
could alter the strength of Holmes' resolve. In languages
with more indirect forms of speech, the strength of such a
promise can be diluted, leading to a potential shift in
meaning.
Challenges in Assertives
: Assertive speech acts, which
involve statements of facts, beliefs, or deductions, are vital
to advancing the narrative in detective films. These speech
acts often carry strong implications for the plot, as they
reveal key information or shift the direction of the
investigation. In Sherlock Holmes, assertive speech acts
are crucial for portraying Holmes' intellect and logical
reasoning. However, translating these speech acts involves
challenges related to how certainty, evidence, and
confidence are conveyed.
Example 3: Assertive Speech Act (Statement of Belief)
English Version: Sherlock Holmes: "The game is afoot."
Watson: "What do you mean?"
Sherlock Holmes: "It means the investigation has begun."
Context
: This iconic phrase signifies the start of a new
investigation and
sets the tone for the unfolding mystery.
Uzbek Version: Sherlock Holmes: "O‘yin boshlanmoqda."
Watson: "Nima demoqchisiz?"
Sherlock Holmes: "Demak, tergov boshlandi."
Challenge
: The major challenge is translating a culturally
significant phrase. "The game is afoot" is not just a literal
statement, but a phrase with historical and cultural
resonance in the context of the Sherlock Holmes canon.
The challenge for the translator is deciding whether to
preserve the figurative tone (e.g., "game" as a metaphor for
investigation) or to prioritize literal clarity in the target
language.
Example 4: Assertive Speech Act (Deduction)
English Version
: Sherlock Holmes: "I deduce that the
culprit is someone from the east."
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Watson: "How can you be sure?"
Sherlock Holmes: "My methods are always precise."
Context
: Holmes asserts his logical deduction about the
criminal's
background,
reinforcing
his
intellectual
prowess.
Uzbek Version
: Sherlock Holmes: "Meni fikrimcha,
jinoyatchi sharqdan kelgan kishi."
Watson: "Qanday ishonching komil?"
Sherlock Holmes: "Uslublarim har doim aniq."
Challenge
: The primary challenge in translating this
assertive speech act is maintaining the level of certainty
and authority present in the English version. The use of
"Meni fikrimcha” in Uzbek introduces a tone of humility
or uncertainty that changes the reception of the statement.
This highlights a key challenge in translating assertives:
balancing cultural norms of politeness and humility with
the need to convey the speaker’s confidence.
CONCLUSION
This study has examined the challenges and strategies
involved in translating commissive and assertive speech
acts in Sherlock Holmes, comparing the English and Uzbek
versions of the film. The analysis has demonstrated that
translating speech acts in the detective genre presents
several unique difficulties, particularly due to the cultural
nuances and pragmatic functions embedded in the
dialogues. The specific challenges explored include
maintaining the tone, meaning, and communicative
function of speech acts while considering the cultural and
linguistic differences between English and Uzbek. In the
case of Sherlock Holmes, the translation of commissives
and assertives required careful consideration of the
intended force of the speech acts, the relationships between
characters, and the cultural norms of communication in
both languages. Translators face the task of preserving not
only the literal meaning but also the underlying
implications, whether it's a command, a request, a
statement of fact, or a claim. These speech acts are crucial
to advancing the plot, developing characters, and
maintaining the suspense and intrigue that define the
detective genre. The research has highlighted four key
translation strategies used to handle these challenges:
modification, equivalence, adaptation, and substitution.
Each strategy serves to navigate the complex terrain of
cultural and linguistic differences. Modification allows for
adjustments in tone or intensity, equivalence ensures that
meaning is preserved as closely as possible, adaptation
provides flexibility in aligning the speech acts with the
norms of the target culture, and substitution helps to
replace expressions or concepts that do not have direct
equivalents in the target language. These strategies
illustrate the delicate balancing act translators must
perform to ensure that the essence of the original dialogue
is maintained while making it accessible and appropriate
for the target audience.[6-67,88] The findings of this study
contribute to a deeper understanding of the translation of
speech acts in detective films and offer valuable insights
into how different linguistic and cultural factors influence
the translation process. While challenges will always arise
when translating between languages as rich and distinct as
English and Uzbek, the strategies discussed here provide
useful tools for overcoming these obstacles. Future
research could further explore the translation of speech acts
in other film genres or compare translations in other
language pairs. Additionally, it may be worthwhile to
examine how different translation modes – such as
subtitling, dubbing, or voice-over – affect the translation of
speech acts and the overall viewer experience.
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Pym,
Anthony.
Exploring
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Sherlock Holmes (2009 film) - Dialogue and Quotations.
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