International Journal Of Literature And Languages
75
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijll
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue04 2025
PAGE NO.
75-78
10.37547/ijll/Volume05Issue04-19
Literary Translation: From the Magic of The Words to
The Bridge of The Cultures
Makhliyo Khabibullaeva
Seniour teacher, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Uzbekistan
Received:
27 February 2025;
Accepted:
23 March 2025;
Published:
26 April 2025
Abstract:
This exploration contemplates literary translation not as a mere assemblage of linguistic masteries, but
as the very art of transforming the enchantment inherent in words from one tongue to another, thereby erecting
vital bridges between disparate cultural realms. It delves into the principal impediments encountered within this
delicate undertaking, such as the intricate tapestry of language itself, the profound wellspring of cultural context,
and the singular voice that distinguishes each author. Moreover, it illuminates the imaginative stratagems
employed by the translator and the distinct considerations attendant upon the rendering of diverse literary forms.
Ultimately, the article underscores the signal office of literary translation in the fortification of intercultural
concord and unveils its enduring significance within the contemporary global theater.
Keywords:
Mastery of translation, artistic translation, intercultural connections, multifaceted nature of language,
cultural context, author's style, translator's creativity, literary genres, cultural bridge, importance of translation.
Introduction:
Literature is the unique expression of
humanity’s aspiration to understand itself, perceive the
world, and imagine the future. Each literary work
created in any language embodies the spirit of that
language, the culture, history, and philosophy of that
people. The treasure trove of world literature consists
of a collection of these invaluable masterpieces created
in various languages. However, to fully benefit from
this treasure and build spiritual bridges between
different cultures, translating literary works from one
language to another is a vital necessity.
The process of translation, especially literary
translation, is much deeper and more complex than
simple linguistic exchange. It is the art of not only
finding the lexical meanings of words but also
recreating the style, tone, emotional and psychological
state of the original text, and most importantly, the
author's intention. A literary translator bears the
responsible tasks of not only having a perfect command
of two languages but also deeply understanding the
cultural context of those languages, possessing literary
sensitivity, and creative imagination. They must
uncover the meanings, subtexts, and cultural codes
hidden in every word and every sentence of the original
work and convey them to the reader of another
language in a clear and impactful way.
Literary translation is a magical bridge that carries the
magic of words from one heart to another, from one
culture
to
another.
It
strengthens
mutual
understanding, respect, and solidarity between
different peoples. By reading the best examples of
world literature, we become acquainted with the
richness and diversity of other cultures, understand the
common values of humanity, and broaden our
perspectives on the world. In this article, we will strive
to deeply analyze the unique linguistic and cultural
characteristics of literary translation, the main
challenges that arise in the translation process, the
translator's creative role, and its incomparable
importance in intercultural communication.
METHODS
When we speak of the multifaceted nature of language,
we mean not only the lexical meanings of words but
also their emotional coloring, stylistic features, cultural
connections, and even the uniqueness of their sounds.
In literary works, authors skillfully use all these facets
of language to create their ideas, emotions, and
images. The translator's task is to recreate this
multifaceted world using another language.
International Journal Of Literature And Languages
76
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International Journal Of Literature And Languages (ISSN: 2771-2834)
However, we must consider the following challenges
that may arise in this process:
•
Polysemy (Multiple meanings of a word)
: A
single word having several meanings in different
contexts can lead to confusion in translation. The
translator must choose the most appropriate meaning
based on the overall content of the work. For example,
the Uzbek word "oyoq" can refer not only to a div
part but also to the leg of a table or chair, the foot of a
field, the ending of winter days, or the foot of a
mountain. Its English translation "foot" also has
multiple meanings: a div part (foot), the base of a
mountain (foot of the mountain), a metrical unit in
poetry (foot in poetry). In literary translation, it is
crucial to accurately understand which meaning of
"oyoq" is intended and choose the corresponding
English word. If the context is about a table, the word
"leg" would be more appropriate.
•
Idioms and expressions
: Every language has its
own unique idioms and expressions whose meaning is
lost when translated literally. The translator needs to
find their equivalent in another language or explain
their meaning. In A. Qodiriy's novel "Bygone Days," the
expression "Men shunday erni topib tegsam boshim
ko‘kka yetar edi" expresses great joy. Its English
translation is given as "If I had a husband like that I
would fly to the sky in joy," which depicts flying to the
skies out of happiness. To express the same joy,
synonymous idioms such as "I would be over the moon
if I married a man like that" could also be used instead.
•
Metaphors and similes
: In literary works,
metaphors and similes are widely used to express ideas
figuratively. In translating them, it is important to
preserve not only the meaning but also the imagery.
For example, the metaphor "qalbi muzlagan" is used to
describe an emotionless, cold-hearted person. In
English, this metaphor can be translated as "frozen
heart".
However,
sometimes
other
figurative
expressions like "He has a heart of stone" can also be
used, depending on the context. The metaphor used in
"Bygone Days," "Sichqonni poylagan mushukdek", is
translated into English as "Like a cat chasing a mouse."
The translation "Like a cat stalking a mouse" would be
more fitting. Although both words imply pursuit, there
are certain differences between them. According to my
research, "chasing" is usually used for romantic interest
and attracting attention, while "stalking" expresses
intimidating or constantly monitoring the victim.
Therefore, I favor the second translation.
•
Stylistic differences
: Word combinations,
sentence structures, and overall stylistic tendencies can
differ in various languages. The translator must choose
the option that matches the style of the original work.
In many cases, in Uzbek, several modifiers can come
between the subject and the predicate of a sentence:
"Kechagi yomg‘irli, sovuq havoda ko‘chada qolgan bola
juda xafa edi." In English, such long and complex
sentence structures are not very common. The
translator might break this sentence down into several
shorter and clearer sentences: "The child was very sad.
He had been left in the street. The weather yesterday
was rainy and cold."
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
It is no secret that cultural context plays a very
important role in literary translation. In fact, a literary
work is created in a specific cultural environment and is
closely linked to the customs, traditions, history,
beliefs, sense of humor, and even the daily life of that
culture. The translator's task is not only to translate
words but also to convey this cultural layer to the
reader of another language. In this process,
complexities such as the following can arise:
•
Cultural specificities
: Each culture has its own
unique concepts, objects, rituals, and social norms that
may not have exact equivalents in another language.
•
References to historical events and figures
:
Literary works often contain references to specific
historical events, famous people, or legends. The
translator needs to understand the meaning of these
references and find a way to convey them to the
reader.
•
Humor and jokes
: Each culture has its own
sense of humor, and what is funny for one culture may
be completely incomprehensible or even offensive to
another.
•
Nonverbal
communication
and
div
language
: In literary works, the gestures, div
language, and behavior of characters reveal their inner
world and their relationships with each other.
•
Taboos and restrictions
: Every society has
certain topics, words, or behaviors that are considered
taboo or restricted. The translator must demonstrate
this cultural sensitivity.
In my opinion, the role of cultural context in literary
translation is very significant and multifaceted. I would
like to give some examples that I have personally
witnessed:
•
National dishes and drinks
: For example, in
Uzbek literature, concepts such as "palov," "manti,"
and "somsa" are very common, and they are an
important part of Uzbek culture. Simply finding a lexical
equivalent for these words in another language is not
enough. The translator must also explain the method of
preparation, the cultural significance of these dishes,
and the customs associated with them, or be able to
International Journal Of Literature And Languages
77
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijll
International Journal Of Literature And Languages (ISSN: 2771-2834)
convey this emotionally to the reader. Otherwise, a
part of the text may remain incomprehensible.
•
National customs and ceremonies
: Weddings,
funeral rites, and holidays like Navruz are celebrated in
a unique way in each culture. When such ceremonies
are depicted in a literary work, the translator must
reveal their essence, symbolic meanings, and social
significance. For example, "kelin salom" (bride’s
greeting), "qiz bazmi"
(girls’ gathering), and "nikoh
majlisi" (wedding ceremony) hold an important place in
Uzbek culture, and there is no exact analogue for these
ceremonies in other cultures. How the translator
explains this situation or what approach they should
take to make it more understandable to the reader is
an important issue.
•
Proverbs and sayings
: The unique wisdom of
each nation is reflected in proverbs and sayings. Many
of these wise words have arisen based on specific
historical events, cultural observations, or life
experiences. Translating them word-for-word often
turns out to be meaningless. The translator needs to
find an equivalent in another language that
corresponds to the meaning of the proverb or explain
its meaning. For example, the Uzbek proverb "Yetti
o‘lchab bir kes" (Measure seven times, cut once) can
have the English equivalent "Look before you leap." Or,
we can see as an example that the proverb in our work
"Yov qochsa botir ko‘payar" is expressed in the English
translation as "If the enemy flees, the heroes will
multiply".
•
National characteristics of humor and jokes
:
The Uzbek people have their own unique sense of
humor. Sometimes these jokes may be based on
wordplay, local events, or well-known figures. It is
precisely this kind of humor, irony, and witty remarks
that our great writer A. Qodiriy masterfully used in his
works. However, when I read the English translations of
his works, I could not feel these wonderful humorous
nuances. Preserving the funny aspect of such jokes
when translating them into another language is very
difficult. The translator sometimes has to explain the
essence of the joke or try to find a similar element of
humor in another language.
•
Nonverbal
communication
and
div
language
:
A gesture that signifies approval in one culture might
be deeply offensive in another. For instance, the
"thumbs-up" gesture, positive in many Western
cultures, is considered rude in parts of the Middle East.
In literary descriptions, a character's "bow" can convey
respect in Japanese culture, but might be interpreted
differently in a culture where bowing is less common.
In Uzbek culture, certain gestures carry specific
meanings. For example, placing a hand over one's heart
can signify sincerity and respect. Similarly, the way
people greet each other, the duration of a handshake,
or the use of eye contact can vary and carry cultural
significance that needs careful consideration in literary
descriptions. Translators need to be mindful of these
subtle cues that reveal character and relationships.
•
Taboos and restrictions:
Like many cultures, Uzbek society has its own set of
taboos. Certain topics related to family matters or
personal life might be considered private and not
discussed openly. Translators need to be sensitive to
these cultural norms when rendering dialogue or
narrative that touches upon such subjects. The
directness of language used for certain topics might
also need to be adjusted based on the target culture's
level of formality and accepted discourse. Similarly,
discussions around certain political or religious topics
might be handled very differently based on cultural
norms and restrictions.
In my judgment, these instances clearly show how
important cultural context is in literary translation. A
literary translator must not only have linguistic
knowledge but also deeply understand both cultures
and take into account their unique characteristics.
Literary translation plays an important role in
strengthening intercultural connections, developing
mutual understanding, and creating the opportunity to
benefit from the treasure trove of world literature.
The next important stage is to consider the uniqueness
of the author’s style. Each writer has their own unique
voice, word choice, syntax, rhythm, and use of imagery.
The translator's task is to sense this individual style and
strive to recreate it in their translation. The uniqueness
of the author’s style is one of the most delicate and
complex aspects of literary translation. This
characteristic is the "personal card" of the work,
distinguishing it from other works. For the translator,
sensing this style and recreating it in another language
requires a high level of skill and sensitivity. A literary
translator, in fact, acts as a unique bridge between two
cultures. They introduce the literary heritage of one
people to another, fostering a sense of mutual
understanding and respect between them. By
translating the best examples of world literature, we
understand the common values of humanity and
become acquainted with the richness and diversity of
different cultures.
CONCLUSION
To conclude, literary translation is not just an exchange
of words between two languages, but a complex and
delicate art of recreating the spirit, style, and cultural
environment of the original work in a new language. As
International Journal Of Literature And Languages
78
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijll
International Journal Of Literature And Languages (ISSN: 2771-2834)
we have observed, the multifaceted nature of
language, the depth of cultural context, and the
uniqueness of the author’s style pose serious
challenges for the translator. To surmount these
challenges, the translator must possess not only deep
linguistic knowledge but also cultural sensitivity,
literary taste, and most importantly, a creative
approach.
In the modern world, as the process of globalization
intensifies, the significance of literary translation is
increasing even further. The role of literary translators
is invaluable in the strengthening spiritual connections
between people who speak diverse languages,
developing cultural exchange, and creating the
opportunity to benefit from the treasure trove of world
literature. Despite the advancement of technology in
the future, the human factor in literary translation, the
translator’s creative skill and cultural sensitivity will
always retain their importance.
It may be added that literary translation is a noble art
that preserves the magic of words and conveys it from
one culture to another, thereby serving to enrich the
spiritual world of humanity. We can confidently say
that literary translation will maintain its importance in
the future, as we witness the ever-increasing need for
qualified literary translators in the global world.
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