Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная
лингвистика
и
лингводидактика
–
Foreign
Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Journal home page:
https://inscience.uz/index.php/foreign-linguistics
Crafting the lexicon of magic: analyzing J.K. Rowling’s
neologisms in translation
Juraali SOLIJONOV
Termez State Pedagogy Institute
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received August 2024
Received in revised form
10 September 2024
Accepted 25 September 2024
Available online
25 October 2024
This article examines the complex task of translating J.K.
Rowling's neologisms in the Harry Potter series, focusing on the
linguistic, cultural, and creative challenges of adapting these
invented terms across languages. It explores various translation
strategies, from literal renderings to creative re-inventions,
assessing how well they preserve the essence of Rowling's
magical lexicon while ensuring accessibility for readers
worldwide. Through case studies in multiple languages, the
article highlights the intricacies of maintaining the phonetic,
aesthetic, and narrative integrity of these neologisms.
2181-3701
/©
2024 in Science LLC.
https://doi.org/10.47689/2181-3701-vol2-iss4
This is an open-access article under the Attribution 4.0 International
(CC BY 4.0) license (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.ru
Keywords:
translation challenges,
fantasy literature,
linguistic creativity,
cultural adaptation,
transliteration,
phonetic qualities,
wordplay in translation.
Sehrli leksikani yaratish: J. K. Roulingning tarjimadagi
neologizmlarini tahlil qilish
ANNOTATSIYA
Kalit so‘zlar
:
tarjima muammolari,
fantastik adabiyot,
lingvistik ijod,
madaniy moslashuv,
transliteratsiya,
fonetik sifatlar,
tarjimada so‘z o‘yini.
Maqolada J. K. Roulingning Garri Potter turkumidagi
neologizmlarini tarjima qilishning murakkab vazifasi tahlil qilinadi,
bu ixtiro qilingan atamalarni boshqa tillarga tarjima qilishda yuzaga
keladigan lingvistik, madaniy va ijodiy muammolarga e'tibor
qaratiladi. Tahlil tarjimonlar tomonidan qo'llaniladigan turli
strategiyalarni, ya'ni so'zma-so'z tarjimalardan tortib, ijodiy qayta
talqin qilishgacha, ular Roulingning sehrli lug'atining mohiyatini
qanchalik muvaffaqiyatli saqlab, uni butun dunyo o'quvchilari
uchun ochiq qilishini o'rganadi. Maqolada turli tillardagi
tarjimalarning amaliy tadqiqotlaridan foydalangan holda, ushbu
1
Termez State Pedagogy Institute. E-mail: solijonov94@gmail.com
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика
–
Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue
–
4 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701
35
neologizmlarning fonetik, estetik va hikoyaviy yaxlitligini saqlash
bilan bog'liq muammolar ko'rsatilgan.
Создание лексикона магии: анализ неологизмов Дж. К.
Роулинг при переводе
АННОТАЦИЯ
Ключевые слова:
проблемы перевода,
фэнтезийная литература,
лингвистическое
творчество,
культурная адаптация,
транслитерация,
фонетические качества,
игра слов при переводе
.
В статье анализируется сложная задача перевода
неологизмов Дж. К. Роулинг в серии книг о Гарри Поттере, с
акцентом на лингвистические, культурные и творческие
проблемы, возникающие при передаче этих изобретённых
терминов на другие языки. В анализе рассматриваются
различные стратегии, используемые переводчиками, от
дословных переводов до творческих переосмыслений,
исследуя, насколько успешно они сохраняют суть
магического лексикона Роулинг, делая его доступным для
читателей по всему миру. На основе тематических
исследований переводов на разные языки в статье
подчеркиваются сложности, связанные с сохранением
фонетической,
эстетической
и
повествовательной
целостности этих неологизмов.
INTRODUCTION
Translating neologisms in fantasy literature, particularly in works such as
Harry
Potter
, presents a series of complex linguistic and cultural challenges. These challenges
stem from the need to preserve the unique imaginative constructs that authors create to
define their fantastical worlds. Unlike standard translation, which deals with established
language, neologisms in fantasy often consist of entirely new words, fictional terms, or
culturally bound concepts that do not exist in the target language. [1] This makes the
translator’s role not merely linguistic but also creative, requiring a sophisticated balancing
act between fidelity to the original text and adaptation to the target audience.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND LITERATURE REVIEW
The methodology in the article "Crafting the Lexicon of Magic: Analyzing J.K.
Rowling’s Neologisms in Translation" focuses on a detailed linguistic and cultural analysis
of how neologisms from the
Harry Potter
series are adapted for various languages. The
research employs comparative case studies to evaluate different translation strategies
used by translators. These strategies include literal translations, creative
reinterpretations, and phonetic adaptations a
imed at preserving the essence of Rowling’s
invented terms while making them accessible to non-English-speaking readers. The
methodology also incorporates a qualitative assessment of how translators navigate the
balance between maintaining the original phonetic and aesthetic qualities of terms and
adapting them to fit the grammatical and phonological norms of the target language.
Furthermore, the analysis involves examining the sociocultural context of neologisms,
considering how they reflect and maintain the magical world-building in translation.
Through a blend of transliteration, adaptation, and creative reinvention, the article
explores how well translations preserve the original's linguistic creativity and cultural
depth while overcoming the challenges posed by structural differences in languages.
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика
–
Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue
–
4 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701
36
RESULTS
The analysis of J.K. Rowling’s neologisms in translation revealed diverse strategies
employed by translators to maintain the phonetic, aesthetic, and cultural essence of terms
such as “Muggle” and “Quidditch.” In some cases, translators used literal transl
ations, but
these often failed to capture the cultural and narrative depth of the original terms. For
instance, “Muggle” required creative adaptation to preserve its exclusionary connotation.
Phonetic neologisms like “Wingardium Leviosa” posed challenges d
ue to the phonological
constraints of target languages, leading to either transliterations or entirely new terms
that fit local phonetic structures. The results indicate that while some translations
successfully retained the magical atmosphere and cultural context of the original text,
others necessitated significant adaptation to resonate with the target audience, often at
the cost of losing some linguistic nuances.
DISCUSSION
Firstly, cultural embeddedness of neologisms is essential to discuss.
Neologisms in
fantasy literature are frequently rooted in the cultural and social context of the narrative.
For example, in
Harry Potter
, the term “Muggle” refers to a person who lacks magical
ability. While the word is invented, it is deeply tied to the world’s socio
-cultural structure,
representing a non-magical individual excluded from the magical community. The
challenge for translators lies in finding an equivalent that conveys the same exclusionary
connotation without being awkward or losing the term’s magical essence. [2] In many
cases, a literal translation is insufficient because it fails to carry the same cultural and
narrative significance in the target language. This cultural embeddedness requires
translators to either create new terms or adapt the neologism in ways that resonate with
the cultural background of the target audience while still preserving its original meaning
and social function
Another crucial consideration is the phonetic and aesthetic quality of neologisms in
fantasy. Words such as “Quidditch” and “Wingardium Leviosa” not only carry meaning but
also contribute to the soundscape of the fictional world. These words often have a rhythm,
cadence, or playfulness that evokes the magical atmosphere. [3] Translators must,
therefore, not only translate meaning but also attempt to retain this phonetic playfulness,
which may not always be feasible given the phonological rules of the target language. For
example, languages with different vowel and consonant structures may struggle to
replicate the phonetic whimsy of Rowling’s invented terms. Some translators opt for
transliteration preserving the original sounds as closely as possible while others invent
entirely new words to fit the phonetic and aesthetic norms of the target language
Neologisms in fantasy literature are often rich in wordplay, alliteration, and
linguistic creativity. In
Harry Potter
, names of spells like “Expelliarmus” or places like
“Knockturn Alley” (a pun on “nocturnal”) are packed with allusions, puns, and word
combinations that create depth in meaning. Translators face the challenge of rendering
these neologisms in ways that preserve their playful or allusive nature while ensuring they
make sense to the target audience. Many spell names are derived from Latin or have
linguistic roots that give hints about their function (e.g., “Expelliarmus” suggests expelling
a weapon). [4] In translating such terms, the translator has to decide whether to use an
equivalent Latin-derived term, find a culturally appropriate alternative, or include
explanatory notes. Maintaining the balance between literal translation and creative
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика
–
Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue
–
4 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701
37
interpretation is a nuanced process that often requires adapting the linguistic play to fit
the grammatical and cultural structure of the target language. [5]
Languages vary greatly in their grammatical and syntactic structures, which
complicates the translation of neologisms. For instance, some languages lack the ability to
easily form compounds or portmanteaus, a common feature in fantasy neologisms. [6]
Engli
sh, for instance, allows flexible word formation, as seen in “Deathly Hallows” or
“Hogwarts.” However, other languages may require separate explanations for each
concept, leading to a more cumbersome or less fluid translation. In such cases, the
translator must find ways to compress the meaning into a single word or phrase without
sacrificing clarity or the magical tone of the original work.
One of the perennial challenges in translating neologisms is deciding between
fidelity to the original text and creativity in the target language. [7] On one hand, strict
adherence to the original might result in awkward or incomprehensible phrases for the
target audience. [8] On the other hand, too much creativity can stray from the author’s
original intent. For example, in translating “Quidditch,” a sport unique to the
Harry Potter
universe, the translator has to decide whether to invent a completely new word in the
target language or attempt a phonetic replication. [9] This decision depends on whether
the invented sport’s context can be clearly communicated through the new term while still
fitting within the cultural and linguistic framework of the target language.
CONCLUSION
Translating neologisms in fantasy literature requires a delicate balance between
linguistic accuracy and creative adaptation. In
Harry Potter
, neologisms are not just
invented words but integral elements of the world-building process, contributing to the
narrative’s magical and cultural texture. Translators must navigate these challenges by
using various strategies such as transliteration, cultural adaptation, and inventive re-
creation of terms, all while ensuring that the translated text remains as immersive and
engaging as the original. This task underscores the broader complexity of translating
fantasy, where the goal is not only to convey meaning but also to transport readers into a
richly imagined world.
REFERENCES:
1. Jurayeva, I. A. (2023). Untranslatability Found in JK Rowling’s English Novel Harry
Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone and Its
Uzbek Version. Texas Journal of Philology, Culture
and History, 19, 5-8.
2. https://kitobman.uz/books/garri-potter-va-afsonaviy-tosh-978-9943-7201-3-
8/
3. https://www.potterglot.net/unauthorized-uzbek-translations/
4. https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter
5. Kamoljonovich, S. J. (2022). BOLALAR FANTASTIK ADABIYOTI NAMUNALARINI
TARJIMA QILISHDAGI LEKSIKOLOGIK VA ETIMOLOGIK MUAMMOLAR TAHLILI (LEV
TOLSTOY ERTAKLARI MISOLIDA). Yosh Tadqiqotchi Jurnali, 1(4), 10-14.
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antroponimlarning lingvo-perspektiv muammolari. Central Asian Research Journal for
Interdisciplinary Studies (CARJIS), 2(1), 334-343.
Xorijiy lingvistika va lingvodidaktika
–
Зарубежная лингвистика
и лингводидактика
–
Foreign Linguistics and Linguodidactics
Special Issue
–
4 (2024) / ISSN 2181-3701
38
7. Madalov, N. E. (2017). An investigation into the English language writing
strategies used by Uzbek EFL secondary school learners. Евразийский научный журнал,
(4), 384-384.
8. Ziyodaxon, T. (2023). TIBBIYOT TERMINLARINING “BOBURNOMA” DA AKS
ETISHI VA INGLIZCHA TARJIMALARI. Роль наследия Захириддина Мухаммада Бабура
в развитии восточной государственности и культуры, 1(1).
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