This study examines the phenomenon of metaphorical shift in the translation of English political discourse into Uzbek, focusing on how political metaphors undergo transformation due to linguistic, cultural, and ideological factors

Аннотация

This study examines the phenomenon of metaphorical shift in the translation of English political discourse into Uzbek, focusing on how political metaphors undergo transformation due to linguistic, cultural, and ideological factors. Political discourse often employs metaphors to frame ideologies, shape public opinion, and influence political narratives. When translated into Uzbek, these metaphors may be preserved, adapted, or replaced, depending on the translator’s strategies and the target audience’s cultural background. The research analyzes selected political speeches, media texts, and policy statements, identifying patterns of metaphor retention, substitution, and conceptual re-mapping. Special attention is given to culturally bound metaphors that require creative re-contextualization to maintain persuasive impact. By combining cognitive metaphor theory with translation studies, the paper highlights challenges and solutions in conveying metaphorical meaning across languages in politically charged contexts. The findings contribute to improving translation strategies in political communication between English and Uzbek. Keywords Metaphorical shift, political discourse, translation strategies, cognitive metaphor, cultural adaptation, Uzbek translation The translation of political discourse presents unique challenges that extend far beyond mere lexical substitution. When translating from English to Uzbek, translators encounter a complex web of cultural, historical, and linguistic factors that necessitate significant metaphorical shifts. Political language is inherently metaphorical, employing conceptual frameworks that reflect the cultural experiences and worldviews of specific communities. This article examines how English political metaphors undergo transformation when rendered into Uzbek, exploring the mechanisms of metaphorical shift and their implications for cross-cultural political communication. Political discourse relies heavily on metaphorical language to make abstract concepts accessible and persuasive (Charteris-Black, 2004). Terms like "political landscape," "campaign trail," "policy framework," and "electoral battleground" demonstrate how English political vocabulary draws from diverse semantic fields including 118 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference geography, architecture, warfare, and journey narratives. However, these metaphorical constructions often lose their effectiveness or meaning when directly translated into Uzbek, requiring translators to employ alternative metaphorical systems that resonate with Uzbek cultural experiences and linguistic patterns. The phenomenon of metaphorical shift in translation reflects broader questions about the relationship between language, culture, and political thought. As Uzbekistan continues to engage with international political discourse while maintaining its distinct cultural identity, understanding these translation dynamics becomes increasingly crucial for effective cross-cultural political communication. This analysis reveals how metaphorical shifts in translation serve not merely as linguistic accommodations but as sites of cultural negotiation and meaning-making. Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory provides a foundational framework for understanding how metaphorical shifts occur in political translation (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). According to this theory, metaphors are not merely decorative language but fundamental cognitive tools that structure how we understand abstract concepts through concrete experiences. Political metaphors in English often draw from source domains such as sports, warfare, architecture, and navigation, creating systematic mappings that influence how political processes are conceptualized. In English political discourse, the STATE IS A PERSON metaphor generates expressions like "the nation's health," "national interests," and "state security." Similarly, POLITICS IS WAR produces "political battles," "campaign strategies," and "electoral victories." These metaphorical systems are deeply embedded in English-speaking political cultures, reflecting historical experiences and cultural values that may not translate directly into Uzbek contexts. The translation of these metaphorical systems into Uzbek requires consideration of target language metaphorical preferences and cultural associations. Uzbek political discourse has developed its own metaphorical traditions, often drawing from different source domains that reflect Central Asian cultural experiences. For instance, while English frequently employs maritime metaphors ("navigating political waters," "policy anchors"), Uzbek political language may favor terrestrial or pastoral metaphors that better reflect the geographical and cultural landscape of Central Asia. Translation scholars have identified several strategies for handling metaphorical language across linguistic boundaries (Schäffner, 2004). These include direct transla