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LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATING
ENGLISH REALIA INTO UZBEK.
Mirzaeva Gulbakhor Sokhibovna
Fergana State University, The teacher at the Department of English Practical
Course. ORCID ID: 0009-0009-0655-3179
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15645796
Abstract
Translation is a crucial tool in modern integrative intercultural
communication. It's a bridge that strengthens relationships between two
languages and their respective cultures. This process has involved a thorough
examination of the interconnection between language and culture, as well as the
broad spectrum of national-cultural units reflected within them. We've explored
their formation, application, and how they manifest at the linguistic level, in both
oral and written communication. The study aims to identify the national-
cultural, lexical-semantic, and stylistic characteristics of realia in English literary
contexts, and to shed light on their translation into the Uzbek language.
Keywords:
linguoculturology, realia, cultural unit, literary text, translation,
national-cultural features.
Аннотация
Перевод
является
важнейшим
инструментом
современной
интегративной межкультурной коммуникации. Перевод — это связь,
которая укрепляет отношения между двумя языками, а также культурами.
В этом процессе были тщательно изучены такие вопросы, как взаимосвязь
языка и культуры, а также широкий спектр отраженных в них
национально-культурных единиц, процессы их формирования и области
применения, их проявление на языковом уровне, проявление в устной и
письменной речи. Цель исследования —определить национально-
культурные, лексико-семантические, стилистические характеристики
реалий в английском литературном контексте, а также осветить вопросы
их перевода на узбекский язык.
Ключевые слова:
лингвокультурология, реалия, культурная единица,
художественный текст, перевод, национально-культурные особенности.
Annotatsiya
Tarjima zamonaviy integrativ madaniyatlararo muloqotning hal qiluvchi
vositasidir. Tarjima ikki til, shuningdek, madaniyatlar o‘rtasidagi
munosabatlarni mustahkamlovchi bog‘liqdir. Ushbu jarayonda til va
madaniyatning o‘zaro bog‘liqligi, shuningdek, ularda aks etgan milliy-madaniy
birliklarning keng doirasi, ularning shakllanish jarayonlari va qo‘llash sohalari,
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ularning til darajasida namoyon bo‘lishi, og‘zaki va yozma nutqda aks etishi kabi
masalalar chuqur o‘rganildi. Tadqiqotning maqsadi ingliz adabiy kontekstida
realialarning milliy-madaniy, leksik-semantik, stilistik xususiyatlarini
aniqlash, shuningdek, ularni o‘zbek tiliga tarjima qilish masalalarini yoritishdan
iborat.
Kalit so‘zlar:
lingvomadaniyatshunoslik, realiya, madaniy birlik, badiiy
matn, tarjima, milliy-madaniy xususiyatlar.
Realia are linguoculturemes that reflect the unique characteristics of a
society and belong to the category of culturally determined non-equivalent
lexical units. We study realia from a different perspective, as these lexical units
are certainly expressed by a corresponding word in other languages and are
used as their equivalents, but in a figurative sense, they convey our
understanding of them in relation to our national and cultural aspects. In
particular, when analyzing the content of expressive cultural terms and the
logical features of linguistic culture, we can see that in addition to the denotative
meaning, connotations reflecting cultural characteristics are also expressed.
Furthermore, these words show that we are connected to our way of life,
customs, as well as the plants and wildlife around us.Definitions of
realia
have
been provided, indicating that these are words or phrases denoting objects,
phenomena, and entities characteristic of the life, daily existence, culture, and
socio-historical experience of a specific people. They are little known or foreign
to other peoples and lack precise equivalents in their languages, expressing a
national flavor; they are a type of
non-equivalent vocabulary
. [1.44] The term
“realia” is one of the most widely used, and in general, it's defined as “an object
of material culture serving as the basis for the nominative meaning of a word.
[2.18] The cultural background of an ethnocentric order, created through the
reference or use of realia, is considered an integral element of speech.
Recurring realia, which are stable elements of folk traditions, become a
symbol
of a specific work because without them, itʼs impossible to grasp the
deep meaning and semantic foundations of the piece. In many cases, we pay
more attention to the social aspect of language. Customs and traditions drawn
from life, as well as household items in the English language, are also illustrated
with examples of their
denotative and connotative features
, with their
appearance explained by the country's geographical location. Naturally, most
realia in the United Kingdom, an island nation, are directly linked to the
specificities of its historical and economic development:
maritime navigation,
a powerful navy, shipbuilding, fishing, interlingual lexicology
, and other
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factors have been reflected in the English language system and are, of course,
used, especially in literary texts. The social side organically mirrors the lifestyle
of the people speaking that language. Additionally, the characteristics present in
the English language are also connected to the country's geographical location,
environment, climate, and a range of similar phenomena.
The term “
wooden-head
” (деревянная голова) is a linguocultureme
through which we can observe the expression of the cultural aspect of a person's
environment. This realia creates a connotative association with plants found in
the surroundings. This example demonstrates how certain words, like “wooden-
head," can carry cultural connotations related to the natural environment and
objects familiar to native speakers of that language. The “wooden” aspect of the
term likely evokes associations with wood, trees, or other plant materials that
are prevalent in the culture and environment of the languageʼs speakers. This
illustrates how linguistic and cultural elements intertwine in the meaning and
usage of such terms. The term “wooden-head” in English likely originates from
the prevalence of wood and forests in the traditional environment of English
speakers.
The connotation associated with someone being “
wooden-headed
”
(stubborn, slow, or unperceptive) is directly linked to cultural associations with
wood and wooden objects in the local environment. This demonstrates how
linguistic expressions can be deeply rooted in the material culture and natural
surroundings that shape the daily life and experiences of a linguistic community.
The linguocultureme “wooden-head” reflects how the physical world is encoded
in the semantics and pragmatics of language. Analyzing such culturally loaded
terms provides valuable insight into the worldview and realities of the people
who use them. The linguocultureme “wooden-head” in English often signifies a
lack of intelligence or an unwillingness to accept new ideas or information. It's
frequently used as a slightly pejorative term to criticize someone's actions or
thought processes. When translating this term into Uzbek, the equivalent
culturally resonant linguoculturemes would indeed be “
qovoq bosh
” or “
qovoq
kalla
” (literally "pumpkin-head” in Uzbek).
These terms also evoke associations with
slow-wittedness, stubbornness,
and an inability to understand or adapt to new information
, just like the
English “wooden-head. ” This explanation demonstrates a deep understanding of
how these culturally specific linguistic expressions are rooted in the shared
experiences and material realities of a language community. Identifying such
culturally loaded terms and studying their nuanced meanings provides valuable
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intercultural insight. The direct translation of “wooden-head" as “
qovoq
bosh/kalla
” preserves the intended cultural connotations, ensuring effective
communication and mutual understanding between the two linguistic contexts.
In Herman Melville's
Moby Dick
, Captain Ahab, the novel's obsessed protagonist,
can be seen as a character with “
wooden-headed
” (stubborn) tendencies. His
relentless pursuit of revenge against the white whale leads him to ignore reason,
endanger his crew, and become consumed by his obsession. [3.65] In the
translated work, the extraordinary protagonist, Captain Ahab, can be seen as a
character possessing the trait of “qovoq bosh” (wooden-head). His relentless
pursuit of revenge against the white whale causes him to disregard reason and
logic, putting his crew at risk.
Linguistic realia, which include terms, names of objects, and even names of
natural phenomena, are often used in conjunction with one another in literary
and cultural contexts. When used in fictional works, these realia, with their
connotative meanings, primarily manifest as
linguoculturemes
—that is, they
serve to convey national and cultural associations through the contextual
depiction of events, characters, and the overall narrative. The interplay between
the form of lexical units and their nuanced, culturally embedded connotations
allows authors to infuse deeper layers of meaning and evoke specific national,
social, and traditional frameworks within their works.
This underscores the importance of understanding the cultural and
linguistic subtleties inherent in seemingly ordinary words and terms, as they can
carry profound meaning when contextualized in literary and narrative settings.
When discussing and translating linguistic realia, it is crucial to consider both
linguistic and extralinguistic factors. The expression and enhancement of the
cultural connotative meanings of realia are inextricably linked to the
comparison of national and cultural characteristics. It is recognized that a key
principle of translation is that each realia conveyed must maintain
pragmatic
equivalence
in the target text and reflect its pragmatic features in a way that is
understandable to other cultures. In other words, preserving the national-
cultural specificity and pragmatic properties of realia is an essential
requirement at the level of translation guidelines. The translator must carefully
navigate both the linguistic forms and the broader cultural associations and
contextual nuances to effectively convey the realia in a way that resonates with
the target audience.
List of references:
1. Худойберганова. Д. Лингвокултурология терминларининг кискача
икоҳли луғати. 2015 й.44 бет
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2. Академик Споварь лингвистических терминов. Режим доступа:
bomidis.acedermis.cultis.naffingvistic/1319/ (дата обращения: 20.05.24)
3. Molville, H. (1851). Moby-Dick, Harper & Brothers.
4. Oxford Dictionary. Tashkent 2005.734 pages. (272 page)
5. Bronte, C. (1849) Shirley. Smith, Elder & Co.
6. Twain, M. (1884). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York, NY: Charles
L. Webster and Company
7. Burns, R. (1794). In The Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burns (pp. 45-
46). Penguin Books.
8. Mirzayeva, G. S. (2023). Linguoculturemes As A Key That Reveals The Literary
Text. According To Jane Austen's Novel "Pride And Prejudice", International
Journal of Formal Education, 2(11), 6-10.
