ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 5 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1509
PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATING TEXTS RELATED TO ASTRONOMY (IN THE
EXAMPLE OF ENGLISH-UZBEK-ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS)
Bo‘ronova Shahlo Alisher qizi
Termiz davlat universiteti Tarjima nazariyasi va amaliyoti (ingliz tili) yo‘nalishi talabasi.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15547754
Annotatsiya. Mazkur maqolada astronomiyaga oid matnlarni ingliz tilidan o‘zbek tiliga
va aksincha tarjima qilishda uchraydigan asosiy muammolar tahlil qilinadi. Tarjima jarayonida
yuzaga keladigan lingvistik, terminologik va madaniy tafovutlar, shuningdek, ilmiy atamalarning
to‘g‘ri ekvivalentlarini topishdagi qiyinchiliklar yoritilgan. Shuningdek, maqolada tarjima
jarayonida qo‘llanilishi mumkin bo‘lgan samarali strategiyalar, xususan, kontekstual tahlil,
atamalar bazasi yaratish va tarjimonning ixtisoslashuvi muhim omil sifatida ko‘rsatib o‘tiladi.
Tadqiqotda inglizcha va o‘zbekcha astronomik matnlar tahlil qilinib, amaliy misollar
orqali muammolar va ularning yechimlari ko‘rsatib berilgan.
Kalit so‘zlar: Astronomiya tarjimasi, ilmiy atamalar, inglizcha-o‘zbekcha tarjima,
madaniy tafovutlar, tarjima strategiyalari, kontekstual tahlil, atamalar ekvivalenti.
Abstract. This article analyzes the key problems encountered in translating astronomy-
related texts from English into Uzbek and vice versa. It highlights linguistic, terminological, and
cultural differences that may arise during the translation process, along with the challenges of
finding accurate equivalents for scientific terms. The article also discusses effective strategies
that can be applied in translation, including contextual analysis, building a specialized
terminology base, and the importance of translator specialization. The study includes an
analysis of English and Uzbek astronomical texts, providing practical examples to illustrate the
challenges and their possible solutions.
Keywords: Astronomy translation, scientific terminology, english-uzbek translation,
cultural differences, translation strategies, contextual analysis, terminology equivalence.
INTRODUCTION
In today’s globalized world, translating scientific texts accurately is essential for effective
knowledge exchange. Astronomy, with its complex terminology and abstract concepts, presents
unique challenges for translators—especially when working between English and Uzbek, two
linguistically and culturally different languages.
Astronomical texts often include terms derived from Latin or Greek and require a deep
understanding of both language and subject matter. In the Uzbek context, many of these terms
lack standardized equivalents, which leads to inconsistency and misunderstanding in translation.
This study explores the main problems in translating astronomy-related texts between
English and Uzbek. It focuses on linguistic, terminological, and cultural difficulties, and
examines practical strategies used by translators. By analyzing real examples and applying
insights from translation theory, the research aims to contribute to the improvement of scientific
translation in this specialized field.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 5 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1510
LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGY
Translating scientific texts—especially those related to astronomy—has been a subject of
growing interest in the field of translation studies. Various scholars have explored the challenges
that arise when rendering specialized terminology, abstract scientific concepts, and culturally
specific references into another language. Works by scholars such as Susan Bassnett, Mona
Baker, and Eugene Nida have laid a foundation for understanding translation theories, including
equivalence, skopos theory, and functionalism, which are particularly relevant when addressing
the translation of scientific discourse.
In the context of astronomy, the complexity increases due to the highly specialized and
evolving nature of the field. Many astronomical terms are derived from Latin or Greek and often
do not have direct equivalents in Uzbek. Additionally, scientific texts tend to be dense and
context-dependent, requiring translators to have not only linguistic competence but also domain-
specific knowledge.
This study draws on both theoretical frameworks and practical case studies to analyze the
problems of translating astronomy texts between English and Uzbek. The methodology
employed in this research includes qualitative content analysis and comparative textual analysis.
A selection of authentic astronomy-related texts in English and their Uzbek translations (and vice
versa) were examined. The focus was placed on identifying patterns of terminological
inconsistency, syntactic divergence, and shifts in meaning.
Key steps in the analysis included:
•
Selecting a corpus of astronomy-related texts from scientific journals, textbooks, and
online educational resources.
•
Comparing original texts with their translations to detect inaccuracies or losses in
meaning.
•
Analyzing how translators dealt with neologisms, compound terms, and cultural
references.
•
Evaluating the strategies used: literal translation, adaptation, borrowing, and
paraphrasing.
The research also includes expert consultation, where feedback from professionals in the
fields of both astronomy and translation was considered to validate the interpretations.
This combined approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the linguistic,
cognitive, and technical challenges faced by translators working with astronomy texts and
provides insight into effective strategies for overcoming them.
DISCUSSION
In this section, the key problems identified in the translation of astronomy-related texts
between English and Uzbek are discussed in detail. Through selected examples, I will analyze
specific cases of terminological inconsistency, structural differences, and contextual challenges.
Each example will be examined to highlight the difficulties faced by translators and the
strategies used to overcome them. This analysis aims to provide deeper insight into the nature of
translation problems in scientific discourse, particularly within the field of astronomy.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 5 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1511
Text in English:
The Horoscope
The key to natal astrology is the
horoscope
, a chart showing the positions of the planets
in the sky at the moment of an individual’s birth. The word “horoscope” comes from the Greek
words
hora
(meaning “time”) and
skopos
(meaning a “watcher” or “marker”), so “horoscope”
can literally be translated as “marker of the hour.” When a horoscope is charted, the planets
(including the Sun and Moon, classed as
wanderers
by the ancients) must first be located in the
zodiac. At the time astrology was set up, the zodiac was divided into 12 sectors called
signs
,
each 30° long. Each sign was named after a constellation in the sky through which the Sun,
Moon, and planets were seen to pass—the sign of Virgo after the constellation of Virgo, for
example.
Text in Uzbek:
Astrologiya boshlanishining asosiy elementi — bu goroskop (
munajjimlar bashorati)
,
ya’ni inson tug‘ilgan paytdagi osmondagi sayyoralar holatini ko‘rsatib beruvchi
jadval
dir.
“Goroskop”
so‘zi yunoncha
hora
(ya’ni “vaqt”) va
skopos
(ya’ni “kuzatuvchi” yoki “belgi”)
so‘zlaridan kelib chiqqan bo‘lib, bu atamani
“soat belgisi” yoki “vaqtni ko‘rsatuvchi belgi”
deb tarjima qilish mumkin. Goroskop tuzilganda, avvalo sayyoralar (shu jumladan, qadimgi
davrlarda sayyora sifatida qaralgan Quyosh va Oy)
zodiak
belgilari ichida joylashgan o‘rni
aniqlanadi. Astrologiya tizimi ilk bor shakllanganda,
zodiak 12 ta burjga
ajratilgangan bo‘lib,
har biri
30 daraja yoy uzunligida edi.
Har bir belgi osmondagi bir yulduz turkumiga (yoki
yulduzlar to‘plamiga) qarab nomlangan. Masalan,
Virgo (Parizod) belgisi
— Quyosh, Oy va
sayyoralar ko‘rinib o‘tuvchi
Virgo yulduz turkumiga
moslab nomlangan.
Translation methods used in the Horoscope Passage
1. Borrowing
Using a word from the source language, especially if it has no direct equivalent.
Example:
•
“horoscope” → “goroskop”
→ This is a borrowed term that exists in Uzbek with similar form and meaning.
2. Omission (Ellipsis)
Leaving out words or phrases that are unnecessary or redundant in the target language.
Example from the text:
It is not translated “a chart showing” word-for-word as “jadval bu ko‘rsatadigan”, but just
said “jadvaldir”, then went straight into “sayyoralar holatini ko‘rsatib beruvchi” — a more
natural flow in Uzbek.
3. Expansion (Addition)
Adding explanatory words to clarify meaning for the target audience.
Example:
•
“each 30° long” → it is written “har biri 30 daraja yoy uzunligida edi”
→ the term “yoy uzunligida” clarifies the meaning of "degrees" for those unfamiliar with
astrological charts.
4. Modulation
Changing the point of view, logic, or category of thought while keeping the meaning.
ISSN:
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2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 5 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1512
“The key to...” becomes “Asosiy elementi...”
Here, it is expressing the same idea (importance or central element) but through a
different conceptual angle.
“The key to natal astrology is the horoscope...”
Uzbek version:
“Astrologiya boshlanishining asosiy elementi — bu goroskop...” and here by changing
the word “natal ” to “boshlanishi” it is used lexical transformation.
5. Equivalence
Definition: Translating the idea or function, often using an idiomatic or culturally natural
phrase in the target language.
Example: “signs” (in astrology) → “burjlar”
•
→ A culturally and conceptually accurate equivalent.
Organized table based on translation methods analysis of the Horoscope passage:
No.
Translation
Method
Definition
Example
(Source →
Target)
Explanation
1
Borrowing
Using a word
from the source
language,
especially if it
has no direct
equivalent.
horoscope
→
goroskop
The term is
borrowed into
Uzbek,
preserving both
form and
meaning.
2
Omission
(Ellipsis)
Leaving out
unnecessary or
redundant
words/phrases
in the target
language.
a chart showing
→ not translated
as
jadval bu
ko‘rsatadigan
,
but simplified as
jadvaldir
Avoids
redundancy by
naturally
merging it with
the next phrase:
sayyoralar
holatini
ko‘rsatib
beruvchi
.
ISSN:
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2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
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АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 5 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1513
No.
Translation
Method
Definition
Example
(Source →
Target)
Explanation
3
Expansion
(Addition)
Adding
explanatory
words to clarify
meaning.
each 30° long
→
har biri 30
daraja yoy
uzunligida edi
The addition of
yoy uzunligida
helps clarify the
concept of
degrees in an
astrological
context.
4
Modulation
Changing the
viewpoint,
logic, or
category of
thought while
maintaining
meaning.
The key to natal
astrology is the
horoscope
→
Astrologiya
boshlanishining
asosiy elementi
— bu goroskop
natal
becomes
boshlanishi
,
shifting from a
technical term to
a conceptually
understandable
term in Uzbek.
5
Equivalence
Translating the
idea/function
using a
culturally and
linguistically
natural
expression.
signs
→
burjlar
A culturally
appropriate term
that matches the
concept in
astrology.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 5 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1514
RESULTS
The analysis of selected astronomy texts revealed several recurring translation issues.
These included the absence of Uzbek equivalents for certain technical terms, inconsistent use of
terminology, and a lack of context-based adaptation. Literal translation often led to
misinterpretation, while more flexible strategies—such as paraphrasing and borrowing—proved
more effective in conveying meaning accurately.
CONCLUSION
This research has addressed the major challenges encountered in translating astronomy-
related texts between English and Uzbek. Through a detailed discussion supported by practical
examples, the study demonstrated how differences in grammatical structure, terminology, and
cultural understanding create difficulties for translators. The examples and their translations were
closely analyzed to identify the reasons behind certain choices and the outcomes they produced.
The research also explored the effectiveness of various translation methods—such as
literal translation, borrowing, descriptive translation, and contextual adaptation. These strategies
were applied to real examples to assess which approaches worked best in preserving both
meaning and clarity. The analysis showed that overly literal translation often fails to deliver
accurate meaning, while adaptive strategies can improve readability and understanding.
A key issue revealed in this study is the lack of standardized Uzbek terminology for many
astronomy-related terms. This gap makes the translator’s task more complex and increases the
risk of misinterpretation. Therefore, it is essential to develop a consistent set of scientific terms
in Uzbek and provide more linguistic resources for translators working in this field.
Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of both linguistic knowledge and subject
expertise in translating scientific texts. This research contributes to the field by offering a clearer
understanding of the difficulties involved and encouraging further work on scientific
terminology development and translation practice in Uzbek.
ISSN:
2181-3906
2025
International scientific journal
«MODERN
SCIENCE
АND RESEARCH»
VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 5 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ
1515
REFERENCES
1.
Baker, M. (2011).
In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation
(2nd ed.). Routledge.
2.
Bassnett, S. (2014).
Translation Studies
(4th ed.). Routledge.
3.
Nida, E. A., & Taber, C. R. (1982).
The Theory and Practice of Translation
. Brill.
4.
Crystal, D. (2003).
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language
(2nd ed.).
Cambridge University Press.
5.
Uzbek Academy of Sciences. (2019).
Astronomik atamalar lug‘ati
[Glossary of
astronomical terms]. Tashkent: Fan.
6.
– National Aeronautics and Space Administration (for English texts and
terminology).
7.
– Uzbekistan’s national education portal (for Uzbek-language astronomy
materials).
