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EQUIVALENCE CHALLENGES IN TRANSLATING UZBEK IDIOMATIC
EXPRESSIONS INTO ENGLISH
Lutfullayeva Munavvar Abdusamad qizi
Turan International University Masterʼs student:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15852132
Annotation:
This article explores the complexities and challenges involved
in achieving equivalence when translating Uzbek idiomatic expressions into
English. Idioms, as culturally bound linguistic units, often pose significant
difficulties for translators due to their metaphorical, non-literal meanings and
cultural specificity. The study analyzes the types of equivalence, the nature of
idioms in both languages, and common strategies employed to ensure accurate
and culturally appropriate translations. Several Uzbek idiomatic examples are
examined alongside their English counterparts to illustrate typical equivalence
problems and solutions.
Keywords:
equivalence, translation, Uzbek idioms, English idioms, cultural
specificity, translation strategies
Introduction
In today’s era of globalization, cross-linguistic translation serves not only as
a means of achieving lexical or grammatical equivalence but also as a crucial tool
for conveying cultural and spiritual meanings. Among the most complex tasks in
translation is the accurate and equivalent rendering of idiomatic expressions, as
idioms reflect the historical, cultural, and psychological characteristics unique to
each nation. Idioms are multifaceted linguistic units—not only lexically, but also
semantically, pragmatically, and stylistically—so a literal, word-for-word
translation often distorts or completely misrepresents their meaning.
The Uzbek language is rich in unique idiomatic expressions deeply
intertwined with the people’s daily life, customs, and historical experience. For
example, idioms such as
“og‘ziga qum solmoq”
(literally, “to pour sand into
someone’s ear,” meaning to deceive or distract someone) or
“tosh yutgan”
(literally, “someone who has swallowed a stone,” referring to a very stubborn or
determined person) are perfectly clear to Uzbek speakers but almost impossible
to translate into English with a simple direct equivalent. Therefore, the
translator must deeply understand the multiple layers of meaning, metaphorical
images, and cultural context embedded in each idiom.
Equivalence is one of the core concepts in translation theory,
encompassing how meaning, function, and stylistic features are conveyed from
the source text to the target text. The issue of equivalence becomes especially
acute when dealing with idiomatic expressions, as many idioms are built upon
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culture-specific metaphors or historical-cultural codes unique to a particular
language. Given the cultural distance between English and Uzbek, translators
face numerous challenges in rendering idioms effectively between these two
languages.
This article analyzes the main equivalence challenges encountered when
translating Uzbek idiomatic expressions into English. It first reviews theoretical
approaches to the concept of equivalence, then examines examples that illustrate
how idioms function in both Uzbek and English. Additionally, the article
discusses key strategies employed by translators, such as finding equivalent
idioms, paraphrasing the meaning, using explanatory translations, or, in some
cases, applying adaptation techniques [1.127].
The relevance of this topic lies in the growing need for high-quality
translations of Uzbek literature, folklore, journalism, film, and other cultural
materials into English as part of broader international promotion efforts.
Effective translation of idiomatic expressions is an essential skill not only for
language learners but also for professional translators, writers, and journalists.
This paper aims to provide scientifically grounded recommendations for
specialists engaged in translation theory and practice.
1. Understanding Idioms and Equivalence
What arei? Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be
deduced directly from the meanings of the individual words. For example, the
Uzbek idiom
“tosh yutgan”
(literally “swallowed a stone”) means someone is
extremely stubborn or determined. Similarly, in English,
“kick the bucket”
means
to die, with no connection to the literal act.
Equivalence refers to the extent to which the meaning, style, and function
of a source text (ST) element are reproduced in the target text (TT). According to
theorists like Nida (dynamic vs. formal equivalence) and Baker (equivalence at
word level, phrase level, textual level, etc.), achieving equivalence can be
particularly demanding with idioms because of their cultural embeddedness
[2,144].
2. Challenges in Translating Uzbek Idiomatic Expressions
Many Uzbek idioms are rooted in local customs, traditions, or imagery
that have no direct counterpart in English. For instance,
“qulog‘iga qum solmoq”
(literally “to pour sand into someone’s ear”) means to deceive or mislead
someone — a metaphor unfamiliar in English.
Often, there is no one-to-one match between Uzbek and English idioms.
For example,
“ilonning boshi ezilmasa, dumini ko‘taradi”
(if the snake’s head isn’t
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crushed, it will raise its tail) has no precise English idiom but conveys the idea
that problems must be decisively eliminated or they will return.
Even when idioms have similar meanings, the metaphors they use may
differ. The Uzbek
“og‘zi burnidan chiqmoq”
(literally “mouth and nose bursting
out,” meaning overwhelmed) has no metaphorical twin in English but could be
rendered as
“snowed under”
or
“up to one’s neck.”
Uzbek idioms often carry a colloquial or humorous tone, while English
equivalents may be more formal or vice versa. This mismatch can lead to a loss
of nuance in translation[3,24].
3. Strategies for Translating Uzbek Idioms into English
When an English idiom expresses the same idea, translators can replace
the Uzbek idiom directly. For example,
“o‘ng qo‘li nima qilayotganini chap qo‘li
bilmasin”
can be translated as
“don’t let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing.”
If no equivalent idiom exists, paraphrasing the meaning in plain language
is often necessary. For example,
“tosh yutgan”
may become
“stubborn and
unyielding”
rather than a literal or idiomatic rendering.
In some contexts (especially in literary or academic translation), keeping
the literal image and adding a footnote or brief explanation preserves cultural
flavor[4.151].
In some cases, idioms are omitted or adapted to fit the target audience’s
expectations and avoid confusion, especially in functional texts like
advertisements or news.
Ko‘prikdan o‘tmay
turib, yo‘q demas
Don’t say no before
crossing the bridge
Don’t say no until you try / Don’t
dismiss it too soon
Ko‘kka sapchimoq
Get overexcited / Get carried
away
O‘rdakning
boshi
ketsa ham suvdan
toymas
Even if the duck loses its
head, it won’t get enough
of the water
A person addicted to something
can’t give it up, even at great risk
These examples show that translators must often balance between literal
meaning, figurative meaning, and cultural resonance.
5. Recommendations for Translators
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Develop Cultural Awareness: Understanding the cultural roots of both
source and target languages is critical.
Build an Idiom Bank: Collect pairs of Uzbek and English idioms for
frequent reference.
Use Context Sensitively: Consider the text type and audience when
choosing strategies.
Collaborate with Native Speakers: Feedback from native English speakers
can help fine-tune the translation’s naturalness.
Conclusion
Translating idiomatic expressions from Uzbek into English is a
multifaceted challenge that goes far beyond literal word matching or surface-
level linguistic equivalence. Idioms are deeply embedded in the cultural,
historical, and social fabric of a language, carrying meanings, associations, and
emotional nuances that are often untranslatable in a direct sense. As this paper
has demonstrated, the key challenges in achieving equivalence lie not only in
finding suitable lexical or structural correspondences but also in successfully
conveying the pragmatic function and stylistic impact of the original idiomatic
expression.
One of the most critical insights highlighted by this study is that there is
rarely a one-size-fits-all solution when dealing with idiomatic translation. While
some Uzbek idioms may have clear and ready-made English equivalents (for
example, when universal human experiences are involved), many others require
the translator to make interpretive choices, balancing between semantic fidelity
and naturalness in the target language. In some cases, translators may opt for
functional equivalents or culturally adapted phrases; in others, they may choose
paraphrasing or explanatory translation, especially when the cultural specificity
of the original idiom is too deeply rooted to allow smooth transfer.
Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of the translator’s
cultural competence and creative skills. Translators must act not merely as
linguistic mediators but as cultural interpreters, capable of grasping the
underlying meanings, stylistic tones, and communicative intents behind
idiomatic expressions. Without this cultural sensitivity, translations risk
sounding awkward, unnatural, or, worse, completely misrepresenting the
intended meaning.
In conclusion, addressing the equivalence challenges in translating Uzbek
idiomatic expressions into English requires an integrative approach that
combines theoretical understanding with practical strategy. Translators should
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
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be equipped with a rich toolkit: familiarity with both source and target idioms,
the ability to recognize when adaptation or paraphrasing is necessary, and a
deep awareness of the cultural layers embedded in each expression. As the
demand for high-quality Uzbek-English translations grows, particularly in fields
like literature, media, and intercultural communication, advancing research and
training in idiomatic translation will become increasingly vital.
References
1.Baker M. In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. Routledge. 1992.
2.Nida E.A Toward a Science of Translating. Brill. 1964.
3.Newmark P. A Textbook of Translation. Prentice Hall. 1988.
4.Vinay J.-P., & Darbelnet, J. Comparative Stylistics of French and English: A
Methodology for Translation. John Benjamins. 1995.
