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TRANSLATION PROBLEMS OF PROVERBS WITH THE CONCEPT
HEART IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES
Kholboyeva Iroda Shukhrat Kizi
Termiz university of economics and service
Abstract. Proverbs are deeply rooted in the linguistic and cultural traditions
of a nation, often presenting significant challenges in translation due to their
metaphorical nature and culture-specific meanings. This article explores the
difficulties encountered in translating proverbs containing the 'heart' component
between English and Uzbek. The study highlights key translation problems such as
cultural untranslatability, loss of metaphorical meaning, and semantic shifts. Various
translation strategies, including literal translation, equivalence, and adaptation, are
analyzed to determine the most effective methods for preserving both linguistic and
cultural significance.
Keywords: Translation, proverbs, heart, linguistic challenges, cultural
untranslatability, English, Uzbek, equivalence, adaptation.
Proverbs are an essential part of a language’s heritage, encapsulating wisdom,
emotions, and social values. However, translating proverbs between languages with
distinct cultural and historical backgrounds, such as English and Uzbek, presents
unique difficulties. The 'heart' component is particularly rich in metaphorical and
symbolic meanings, often reflecting emotions, morality, and personal character. This
study examines the common translation problems that arise when rendering English
and Uzbek proverbs with 'heart' into each other’s language and explores strategies to
overcome these challenges[1].
One of the major challenges in translating proverbs is cultural
untranslatability, where a proverb has no direct equivalent in the target language due
to differences in worldview and traditions[2].
English: "Wear your heart on your sleeve."
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Literal Uzbek translation: "Yuragingni yelkangga taqib yur[11]." (Makes little
sense in Uzbek.)
Cultural meaning: To openly show emotions.
Uzbek equivalent: "Yuragini ochiq tutmoq." (To keep one’s heart open.)
Here, a direct translation results in confusion, requiring adaptation to convey
the intended meaning.
Many proverbs rely on figurative language that does not translate directly.
When a proverb is translated word-for-word, its metaphorical power may be lost or
distorted.
Uzbek: "Yuragi baquvvat odam har qanday qiyinchilikni yengadi."
Literal English translation: "A strong-hearted person overcomes any
difficulty."
English equivalent: "A brave heart is half the battle."
Although both proverbs convey courage, the figurative meaning shifts
slightly, requiring an equivalent translation rather than a literal one[6].
Words often carry multiple meanings, leading to semantic shifts during
translation. The word yurak (heart) in Uzbek may imply bravery, sincerity, or inner
strength, whereas in English, 'heart' often symbolizes emotions and compassion[7].
Uzbek: "Yuragi katta odam."
Literal English translation: "A person with a big heart."
Possible English interpretations:
A kind and generous person.
A physically large heart (literal meaning).
English and Uzbek proverbs differ structurally, making direct translation
difficult. Uzbek proverbs are often longer and more descriptive, while English
proverbs tend to be more concise.
English: "Home is where the heart is."
Uzbek literal translation: "Uy odamning yuragi qaerda bo‘lsa, o‘sha yerda
bo‘ladi." (Too long and unnatural.)
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Uzbek equivalent: "Insonning yuragi qaerda bo‘lsa, u o‘sha yerda baxtlidir."
(Where a person’s heart is, there they are happy.)
Here, the translator must adjust the structure while preserving the meaning.
Translation Strategies for Proverbs with 'Heart'
1. Direct Equivalence
When an exact equivalent exists in the target language, direct translation is
the best option[8].
English: "To have a heart of gold."
Uzbek equivalent: "Oltin yurakli bo‘lish."
Meaning: To be kind and generous.
2. Idiomatic Translation (Paraphrasing with Cultural Adaptation)
If a direct equivalent does not exist, translators must adapt the proverb to
match the target culture’s expressions.
English: "Don’t break someone’s heart." (Meaning: Don’t hurt someone
emotionally.)
Literal Uzbek translation: "Birovning yuragini sindirma." (Does not sound
natural.)
Uzbek adaptation: "Birovning ko‘nglini og‘ritma." (Do not hurt someone’s
soul.)
3. Literal Translation with Explanation
If no suitable equivalent exists, a literal translation can be followed by an
explanation to convey the intended meaning[9].
Uzbek: "Yuragi tog‘dek odam."
Literal English translation: "A person with a heart like a mountain."
Explanation: It describes a person with great patience and strength, similar to
"A person with a strong heart."
4. Omission (When Necessary)
If a proverb’s meaning is too culture-specific to be translated effectively, it
may be omitted or replaced with a different proverb conveying a similar idea.
English: "His heart was in his mouth." (Meaning: He was extremely nervous.)
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No Uzbek equivalent with the same heart-related metaphor[10].
Alternative translation: "U juda hayajonlandi." (He was very nervous.)
To sum up, translating proverbs with the 'heart' component between English
and Uzbek presents several challenges, including cultural untranslatability, loss of
metaphorical meaning, semantic shifts, and structural differences. To preserve the
intended meaning and cultural significance, translators must carefully choose
between direct equivalence, adaptation, paraphrasing, and, in some cases, omission.
By understanding these challenges and strategies, we can enhance the effectiveness
of proverb translation and maintain the richness of linguistic and cultural heritage.
THE LIST OF USED LITERATURE
1.
Baker, M. (1992). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. Routledge.
2.
Mieder, W. (2004). Proverbs: A Handbook. Greenwood Press.
3.
Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. Prentice Hall.
4.
Rasulova, S. (2015). Cultural Aspects of Uzbek Proverbs. Tashkent University
Press.
5.
Taylor, A. (1962). The Proverb and an Index to the Proverb. Harvard University
Press.
6.
Cowie A.R. In Phraseology: Theory, Analysis, and Applications. – Oxford:
Published in the United States by Oxford University Press, 1998. – 130 p.
7.
Cowie
Phraseology: Theory, Analysis, and Applications. USA, Oxford
University Press, 2012. – 272 p.
8.
Cruft W., Cruse A. Cognitive Linguistics. – Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 2004. – 356 p.
9.
Crystal D. Linguistics. Second edition. – UK: Penguin books, 1990. – 276 p.
10.
Саломов Ғ. Таржима назарияси асослари. – Тошкент: Ўқитувчи, 1983. –
320 б.
11.
Мирзаев Т., Саримсоқов Б., Мусоқулов А. Ўзбек халқ мaқоллари –
Тошкент: Шарқ, 2005. – 253 б.
