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A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF REALIA IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK
LANGUAGES
Sabina Karimova Erkinovna
Iqtisodiyot va pedagogika universiteti
Xorijiy tillar (ingliz tili) yoʻnalishi talabasi
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16941857
Abstract:
This article presents a comparative analysis of
realia
—culture-specific
elements—in the English and Uzbek languages. Realia, which include items such as traditional
foods, clothing, holidays, and social institutions, represent the unique cultural identity of each
linguistic community. By examining various types of realia—geographical, ethnographic,
social-political, and everyday-life related—the article highlights how language reflects cultural
values and historical context. The study also discusses the difficulties that arise in translating
realia between English and Uzbek, such as the absence of direct equivalents and the risk of
cultural misinterpretation. Various translation strategies, including transliteration,
explanation, and cultural substitution, are analyzed. The article concludes that understanding
and properly conveying realia is essential for accurate translation, effective cross-cultural
communication, and deeper intercultural understanding.
Keywords:
Realia, cultural elements, English language, Uzbek language, translation
strategies, cultural equivalence, cross-cultural communication, ethnographic terms, linguistic
comparison, cultural adaptation.
Introduction:
Language serves not only as a tool for communication but also as a
repository of culture and identity. One of the most fascinating aspects of linguistic study is how
language encodes the unique cultural realities of a society. These culture-specific elements,
known as
realia
, encompass a wide range of tangible and intangible cultural phenomena
including traditional customs, local foods, social institutions, festivals, and geographical
landmarks.
Realia are deeply embedded in the daily lives and historical experiences of
communities, making them an invaluable resource for understanding the cultural fabric of a
language-speaking group. Unlike universal vocabulary, realia often lack direct equivalents in
other languages, posing significant challenges for translators, language learners, and
intercultural communicators. The effective study and translation of realia thus require a
multidisciplinary approach that combines linguistics, cultural studies, and translation theory.
The English and Uzbek languages, representing different linguistic families and cultural
backgrounds, offer a rich field for comparative analysis of realia. English, as a global lingua
franca with roots in Western European culture, reflects the values, social structures, and
historical developments of predominantly Anglo-American societies. In contrast, Uzbek, a
Turkic language spoken in Central Asia, carries centuries-old cultural legacies influenced by
Islamic traditions, nomadic heritage, and regional customs.
This article aims to explore the
nature of realia in both languages, categorizing them into geographical, ethnographic, social-
political, and everyday life domains. By examining specific examples and their translation
challenges, the study seeks to highlight how language functions as a cultural mirror and how
cross-cultural communication can be enriched through better understanding of realia.
Moreover, the increasing interconnectedness of the modern world calls for more sophisticated
translation strategies to bridge cultural gaps. This research not only contributes to the field of
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comparative linguistics and translation studies but also offers practical insights for translators,
educators, and cultural mediators working between English and Uzbek.
Concept of Realia and Its Importance: Realia are culture-specific elements in a language
that represent tangible and intangible cultural phenomena such as traditions, local foods, social
institutions, festivals, and geographical landmarks. They connect language with cultural context
and can be defined as “real-world objects or concepts” specific to a particular culture. Usually,
realia do not have direct equivalents in other languages, which creates difficulties for
translators, language learners, and intercultural communicators. For example, the Uzbek word
“mahalla”
refers to a unique social institution in Uzbek society and has no exact English
equivalent.
Types of Realia
Realia can be divided into several categories:
1.Geographical realia
:
Related to countries, regions, natural features, and climate
conditions. For example: In English:
Outback
(Australia’s desert area) In Uzbek:
cho‘l
(desert),
tepalar
(hills),
qishloq
(village)
2.Ethnographic realia
:
Include cultural traditions, clothing, national foods, holidays, and
crafts. In English:
Thanksgiving
,
Christmas
,
trousers
In Uzbek:
Navruz
,
osh
(pilaf),
do‘ppi
(traditional hat)
3.Socio-political realia
:
Social structures, political institutions, and traditional practices.
In English:
Parliament
,
House of Commons
. In Uzbek:
mahalla
,
kengash
(council),
oqsoqol
(elder)
4.Everyday life realia: Commonly used tools, habits, and customs.In English:
bicycle
,
pub
.
In Uzbek:
lavash
(bread),
chaqmoq
(flint)
Cultural Characteristics of English and Uzbek Realia: The English language mainly reflects
industrialized and urban culture. Many English realia mirror modern society and political
institutions rather than traditional rural life. For example, expressions like
“the Queen's Speech”
or
“Black Friday”
reflect unique British cultural concepts. The Uzbek language incorporates
realia related to rural, familial, and traditional society influenced by Islamic traditions, Central
Asian history, and local customs. For instance,
“Navruz”
is a culturally significant holiday, and
“mahalla”
represents a unique neighborhood social institution.
Challenges in Translating Realia
Some main challenges when translating realia include
:
Lack of equivalence
:
Many realia
have no direct counterparts in the target language. For example, translating
“Thanksgiving”
into
Uzbek fully is difficult. Cultural misunderstanding:
The audience may be unfamiliar with the
cultural concept behind the realia
.
Loss of cultural context
:
The original cultural meaning of the
realia can be lost during translation.
Translation Strategies for Realia:
1.Transliteration – Writing the word phonetically in the target language, e.g.,
“do‘ppi” →
“doppi”
.
2.Expansion – Adding explanatory information, e.g.,
“mahalla” (a traditional Uzbek
neighborhood community)
.
3.Cultural substitution – Replacing a realia with a culturally similar one in the target
language, e.g., substituting
“Thanksgiving”
with
“Navruz”
.
4.Generalization – Using a broader term instead of the realia, e.g.,
“mahalla” →
“neighborhood”
.
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Importance of Studying English and Uzbek Realia: Helps language learners better
understand the culture behind the language. Assists translators in accurately conveying
culturally bound elements. Improves intercultural communication. Enhances the
understanding of the relationship between language and culture.
Comparative Examples
English Realia Uzbek Realia
Explanation
Thanksgiving
Navruz
Both are important holidays, but with different
historical and cultural backgrounds.
Pub
Choyxona
Both are social gathering places, but differ culturally.
Parliament
Kengash
Different political institutions.
Doormat
Gilamcha
Everyday objects with cultural differences.
Summary: Realia serve as cultural identifiers within language. English and Uzbek realia
are deeply connected to their unique historical and cultural contexts. Understanding and
translating realia correctly enhances cross-cultural communication. Modern linguistics and
translation theory increasingly focus on the study of realia.
Additional Information and Analyses:
1. Realia and Culture Interconnection: Realia function as cultural codes embedded in
language, reflecting the historical, social, religious, economic, and political life of communities.
For example, the Uzbek word
“oqsoqol”
(literally "white beard") refers to a respected elder in
the community, a concept without a direct English equivalent due to differing social structures.
2. Difficulties in Learning Realia: Language learners often find realia difficult to grasp
because they require cultural as well as linguistic knowledge. For example, the English word
“pub”
is not just a bar but also an institution reflecting British social culture, which may be
unfamiliar to Uzbek learners.
3. Translation Theories and Realia: There are two main approaches to translating realia:
Domestication – adapting realia to fit the target culture, e.g., replacing
“Thanksgiving”
with
“Navruz”
. Foreignization – preserving the original cultural element to introduce the reader to a
new culture, e.g., keeping the word
“mahalla”
untranslated.
Both approaches have their place depending on the translation goals.
4. Contextual and Semantic Features: Realia are often context-dependent. For instance,
“tea”
in English is not only a drink but also a social ritual. Similarly,
“choy”
(tea) in Uzbek culture
symbolizes hospitality. Thus, realia emdiv social semantic systems beyond mere vocabulary.
5. Technology and Globalization Impact: Globalization spreads technological realia such
as
“smartphone”
and
“hashtag”
worldwide, introducing new lexical items into many languages
including Uzbek. These changes affect traditional realia and language usage patterns.
6. Historical Development of Uzbek Realia: Uzbek realia often relate to the country’s
nomadic heritage, Islamic influence, and Central Asian history. Words like
“kurak”
(a farming
tool) or
“ko‘chmanchi”
(nomad) reflect historical and cultural realities absent in English-
speaking contexts.
Types of Realia: Realia can be broadly classified into:
1.Geographical realia (e.g., "Outback" in Australia, "cho‘l" in Uzbek),
2.realia (e.g., traditional clothing like "kimono" in Japanese or "do‘ppi" in Uzbek),
3.Social-political realia (e.g., "the House of Commons" in the UK or "mahalla" in
Uzbekistan),
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4.Daily life and household realia (e.g., "Thanksgiving" in the US or "Navruz" in Central
Asia).
Realia in English and Uzbek: Cultural Reflections: English realia often reflect Western,
especially Anglo-American traditions, individualism, and modernization. Uzbek realia are
shaped by centuries of Central Asian history, Islam, and community-based social structures.
Examples: English: "pub", "Thanksgiving", "tenure", "Black Friday" Uzbek: "osh", "Navruz",
"do‘ppi", "mahalla" Challenges in Translation: Realia present unique challenges for translators:
Lack of equivalents in the target language, Risk of cultural misinterpretation, Balancing fidelity
and comprehensibility. Translation strategies include: Transliteration (e.g.,
do‘ppi
→
doppi
),
Footnoting or explanations, Cultural substitution (e.g., replacing "Thanksgiving" with "Navruz"
in some contexts), Generalization (e.g.,
mahalla
→
neighborhood
).
Conclusion:
Realia in both English and Uzbek languages serve not only as linguistic
expressions but also as carriers of deep cultural, historical, and social meanings. Through the
comparative analysis conducted in this article, it becomes evident that realia reflect a nation’s
worldview, values, traditions, and collective memory. While English realia often mirror the
individualistic and institutional nature of Western societies, Uzbek realia highlight the
significance of community, hospitality, and spiritual heritage rooted in Central Asian history
and Islamic tradition. The translation of realia poses significant challenges due to the lack of
direct equivalents in the target language and the risk of cultural loss or distortion. Translators
must be culturally aware and equipped with a range of strategies to effectively render realia
without sacrificing meaning or cultural nuance. These strategies include transliteration,
cultural substitution, descriptive translation, and the use of explanatory notes. Furthermore,
this study shows that successful translation of realia enhances intercultural understanding and
preserves cultural diversity in global communication. Therefore, special attention should be
given to training translators and language professionals in dealing with culturally bound
elements. It is also essential for language learners and educators to explore realia as a tool for
cultural competence and deeper linguistic insight. In conclusion, the study of realia is not
merely a linguistic endeavor, but a bridge between cultures. As globalization increases cross-
cultural interactions, the proper understanding and translation of realia becomes more crucial
than ever.
References:
Используемая литература:
Foydalanilgan adabiyotlar:
1.
Baker, M. (2018).
In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation
(3rd ed.). Routledge.
Tarjimadagi realiyalar va madaniyatlararo tafovutlar haqida chuqur tahlil beradi.
2.
Newmark, P. (1988).
A Textbook of Translation
. Prentice Hall. Realia tarjimasidagi asosiy
strategiyalarni tushuntiradi.
3.
Nida, E. A., & Taber, C. R. (2003).
The Theory and Practice of Translation
. Brill. Ma'no va
madaniy kontekstda tarjima nazariyasini yoritadi.
4.
Kadirova, M. (2019). Cultural Realities in Translation: Uzbek-English Case Study.
Journal
of Central Asian Studies
, 15(2), 45–57. Inglizcha va o‘zbekcha realiyalarni taqqoslovchi maqola.
5.
Karimov, R. (2021). Translating Uzbek Cultural Realia: Problems and Solutions.
Uzbek
66
Journal of Language and Translation Studies
, 3(1), 22–30. O‘zbek tilidagi realiyalarni ingliz tiliga
tarjima qilishda uchraydigan muammolar.
6.
House, J. (2015).
Translation Quality Assessment: Past and Present
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sifat va madaniy moslashuv mezonlari haqida.
7.
Saidova, D. (2020). Realia and Their Equivalents in the English and Uzbek Languages.
Philological Sciences Journal
, 4(3), 60–65. O‘zbek va ingliz tillarida realiyalarning tarjimaviy
qiyosiy tahlili.
