EQUIVALENT SELECTION OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN TRANSLATION: AN ENGLISH–UZBEK TRANSLATION ANALYSIS

Аннотация

This article examines the strategies and challenges involved in selecting appropriate equivalents for idiomatic expressions when translating between English and Uzbek. It explores the semantic, structural, and cultural differences that influence idiom translation and analyses specific examples from literary works, films, and journalism. The study applies established translation theories, including equivalence and functionalist approaches, to evaluate how idiomatic meaning is preserved, adapted, or transformed in the target language. Keywords: idiomatic expression, equivalence, English–Uzbek translation, cultural adaptation, translation strategies. Idiomatic expressions form a crucial part of any language’s lexicon, encapsulating cultural values, historical references, and metaphorical thinking. Their translation presents a unique challenge because idioms often carry meanings that are not directly deducible from their individual components. In English–Uzbek translation, the difficulty increases due to typological differences between the two languages and the absence of direct lexical correspondences in many cases. This article aims to analyses how idiomatic expressions in English are rendered into Uzbek, focusing on the equivalent selection process and the translator’s role in balancing fidelity to the source text with the communicative needs of the target audience. An idiom is a fixed, figurative expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its components (Fernando, 1996). For example, spill the beans means "to reveal a secret," not literally "drop legumes." Nida distinguishes between formal equivalence (structural correspondence) and dynamic equivalence (equivalent effect on the reader). In idiom translation, dynamic equivalence is often more important because idioms are culturally bound. According to Baker, common strategies include:  Using an idiom of similar meaning and form  Using an idiom of similar meaning but different form  Paraphrasing  Omission (when meaning is implicit or untranslatable without distortion) 122 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference Table -1. Comparative Analysis: English–Uzbek Idiom Equivalents English Idiom Literal Meaning Uzbek Equivalent Translation Strategy Spill the beans Drop legumes sirni oshkor qilmoq Paraphrase Break the ice Smash frozen water muzlarni eritmoq Similar meaning & form (metaphorical) Hit the sack Strike a bag uxlamoq Paraphrase Burn bridges Destroy paths orqaga yo‘lni Similar meaning, yopmoq different form A blessing in Hidden good yomonning tagida Cultural substitution disguise fortune yaxshilik bor Cry over spilt Lament wasted o‘tgan ishga salavot Culturally adapted milk milk equivalent Keep an eye on Watch carefully ko‘z-quloq bo‘lmoq Similar meaning & form The analysis shows that:  Exact idiomatic matches are rare but exist when both languages share similar metaphors (muzlarni eritmoq).  Paraphrase is the most common strategy, especially when no equivalent idiom exists in Uzbek (spill the beans → sirni oshkor qilmoq).  Cultural adaptation is necessary when the idiom’s imagery is foreign to the target audience (cry over spilt milk → o‘tgan ishga salavot). 123 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference  In literary translation, preserving figurative imagery often takes precedence, whereas in technical or journalistic translation, clarity and direct meaning are prioritized. Explanation of the Diagram: The diagram illustrates the frequency distribution of four main strategies used in translating English idiomatic expressions into Uzbek:  Paraphrase (80%) – the most frequently applied strategy, where the idiom is translated descriptively, conveying its meaning without preserving the original form. This is common when exact structural equivalents do not exist in Uzbek.  Cultural adaptation (60%) – replacing the source idiom with a culturally relevant expression that carries the same meaning and emotional impact for the Uzbek audience.  Similar meaning, different form (40%) – conveying the same meaning through a different metaphor or imagery than in the original English idiom. 124 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference  Similar meaning and form (20%) – the least common strategy, used only when both languages share similar metaphorical imagery. The chart confirms that translators most often opt for a meaning-based approach rather than preserving the formal structure, which is largely due to cultural and linguistic differences between English and Uzbek. The translation of idiomatic expressions between English and Uzbek requires not only linguistic competence but also deep cultural awareness. Equivalent selection is a balancing act: the translator must convey the original meaning while ensuring that the target audience grasps the intended nuance. Future research should focus on building a comprehensive Engl