TRANSLATION PROBLEMS OF PROVERBS WITH THE CONCEPT HEART IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

Аннотация

Proverbs are deeply rooted in the linguistic and cultural traditions of a nation, often presenting significant challenges in translation due to their metaphorical nature and culture-specific meanings. This article explores the difficulties encountered in translating proverbs containing the 'heart' component between English and Uzbek. The study highlights key translation problems such as cultural untranslatability, loss of metaphorical meaning, and semantic shifts. Various translation strategies, including literal translation, equivalence, and adaptation, are analyzed to determine the most effective methods for preserving both linguistic and cultural significance. Keywords: Translation, proverbs, heart, linguistic challenges, cultural untranslatability, English, Uzbek, equivalence, adaptation. Proverbs are an essential part of a language’s heritage, encapsulating wisdom, emotions, and social values. However, translating proverbs between languages with distinct cultural and historical backgrounds, such as English and Uzbek, presents unique difficulties. The 'heart' component is particularly rich in metaphorical and symbolic meanings, often reflecting emotions, morality, and personal character. This study examines the common translation problems that arise when rendering English and Uzbek proverbs with 'heart' into each other’s language and explores strategies to overcome these challenges[1]. One of the major challenges in translating proverbs is cultural untranslatability, where a proverb has no direct equivalent in the target language due to differences in worldview and traditions[2]. English: "Wear your heart on your sleeve." Выпуск журнала №-19 Часть–3_ Февраль –2025 517 MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Literal Uzbek translation: "Yuragingni yelkangga taqib yur[11]." (Makes little sense in Uzbek.) Cultural meaning: To openly show emotions. Uzbek equivalent: "Yuragini ochiq tutmoq." (To keep one’s heart open.) Here, a direct translation results in confusion, requiring adaptation to convey the intended meaning. Many proverbs rely on figurative language that does not translate directly. When a proverb is translated word-for-word, its metaphorical power may be lost or distorted. Uzbek: "Yuragi baquvvat odam har qanday qiyinchilikni yengadi." Literal English translation: "A strong-hearted person overcomes any difficulty." English equivalent: "A brave heart is half the battle." Although both proverbs convey courage, the figurative meaning shifts slightly, requiring an equivalent translation rather than a literal one[6]. Words often carry multiple meanings, leading to semantic shifts during translation. The word yurak (heart) in Uzbek may imply bravery, sincerity, or inner strength, whereas in English, 'heart' often symbolizes emotions and compassion[7]. Uzbek: "Yuragi katta odam." Literal English translation: "A person with a big heart." Possible English interpretations: A kind and generous person. A physically large heart (literal meaning). English and Uzbek proverbs differ structurally, making direct translation difficult. Uzbek proverbs are often longer and more descriptive, while English proverbs tend to be more concise. English: "Home is where the heart is." Uzbek literal translation: "Uy odamning yuragi qaerda bo‘lsa, o‘sha yerda bo‘ladi." (Too long and unnatural.) Выпуск журнала №-19 Часть–3_ Февраль –2025 518 MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Uzbek equivalent: "Insonning yuragi qaerda bo‘lsa, u o‘sha yerda baxtlidir." (Where a person’s heart is, there they are happy.) Here, the translator must adjust the structure while preserving the meaning. Translation Strategies for Proverbs with 'Heart' 1. Direct Equivalence When an exact equivalent exists in the target language, direct translation is the best option[8]. English: "To have a heart of gold." Uzbek equivalent: "Oltin yurakli bo‘lish." Meaning: To be kind and generous. 2. Idiomatic Translation (Paraphrasing with Cultural Adaptation) If a direct equivalent does not exist, translators must adapt the proverb to match the target culture’s expressions. English: "Don’t break someone’s heart." (Meaning: Don’t hurt someone emotionally.) Literal Uzbek translation: "Birovning yuragini sindirma." (Does not sound natural.) Uzbek adaptation: "Birovning ko‘nglini og‘ritma." (Do not hurt someone’s soul.) 3. Literal Translation with Explanation If no suitable equivalent exists, a literal translation can be followed by an explanation to convey the intended meaning[9]. Uzbek: "Yuragi tog‘dek odam." Literal English translation: "A person with a heart like a mountain." Explanation: It describes a person with great patience and strength, similar to "A person with a strong heart." 4. Omission (When Necessary) If a proverb’s meaning is too culture-specific to be translated effectively, it may be omitted or replaced with a different proverb conveying a similar idea. English: "His heart was in his mouth." (Meaning: He was extremely nervous.) Выпуск журнала №-19 Часть–3_ Февраль