CULTURAL PROBLEMS IN TRANSLATION

Аннотация

Translation is not merely the transference of words from one language to another but an complicated cultural process that encompasses worldviews, traditions, and unique ways of expression. Cultural problems in translation arise when concepts rooted in one cultural context lack equivalents in another. These challenges are further exacerbated by idiomatic expressions, historical references, and sociolinguistic norms that define one culture but remain foreign to another. This article explores the nature of these cultural difficulties, emphasizing how they affect meaning, tone, and intention in translation. Drawing on real-world examples and theoretical frameworks, it examines how translators navigate the cultural fields of both linguistic and contextual directions. Keywords: Translation, culture, idioms, equivalence, untranslatability, pragmatics, intercultural communication Translation is a process that is dynamic and multifaceted, with many different components that go beyond just substituting words between languages. It involves a careful negotiation between two or more cultural systems, each with its own worldview, traditions, and communicative norms. As languages are deeply rooted in the cultural contexts that shape them, translation becomes a delicate act of interpretation and mediation. The cultural dimension of translation presents numerous challenges for translators who must grapple with idiomatic expressions, historical references, religious connotations, and differing social values. These https://scientific-jl.com/luch/ 2 4 0 Часть-44_ Том-3_ Май-2025 cultural problems do not simply complicate the task of the translator; they fundamentally influence how meaning is understood and conveyed. Understanding the intricacies of culture-bound expressions and the potential for miscommunication is essential for ensuring the success of any translation effort, particularly in our increasingly globalized and multicultural world. Translation has always been more than a linguistic activity; it is fundamentally a cultural exchange. When a translator approaches a text, they do not merely decode and re-encode words that they interpret social customs, values, and ideologies embedded in language. Language and culture are inextricably linked; thus, any act of translation involves cultural interpretation. The notion of cultural untranslatability underscores the gravity of this task. Certain words or expressions are so deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the source language that finding a direct equivalent in the target language becomes virtually impossible. One of the most common cultural problems in translation is the issue of idioms and colloquial expressions. For instance, the English idiom "kick the bucket," meaning "to die," “break a leg” meaning “good luck” cannot be translated literally into most other languages without losing its idiomatic meaning. A literal translation might evoke confusion or amusement rather than understanding. The translator must therefore find an equivalent expression in the target culture or resort to paraphrasing, which might dilute the original flavor. These challenges exemplify the broader problem of domestication and foreignization in translation theory. Domestication involves adapting the source text to fit the target culture, while foreignization retains the source culture's features to preserve authenticity. Both strategies carry ethical and interpretive implications, and the translator must decide which to prioritize depending on context, purpose, and audience. Another complex area of cultural translation lies in the rendering of culturally- specific terms (CSTs), such as those related to food, traditions, or administrative systems. Words like “samovar,” “doʻppi”, “kimchi,” or “hijab” may not have https://scientific-jl.com/luch/ 2 4 1 Часть-44_ Том-3_ Май-2025 precise equivalents in the target language. Translators must then choose whether to leave the word untranslated, add explanations what does this word mean and its definitions, substitute it with a familiar but culturally different term. Each of these choices can alter the one’s perception of the original culture. For example, translating “hijab” simply as “headscarf” erases its religious and cultural dimensions, potentially misrepresenting the term's full significance. Futhermore,, politeness conventions and speech levels vary significantly across cultures and often resist direct translation. For example, the use of honorifics in Japanese or the T-V distinction in Romance languages (tu/vous in French, tú/usted in Spanish) reflects social hierarchies and interpersonal dynamics that might not be present in the target culture. English, for instance, lacks a formal/informal second- person pronoun distinction, which can cause difficulties in conveying social nuances in translated texts. Likewise, Arabic features various degrees of formality and deference, which are difficult to replicate in English without resorting to awkwar