NEGOTIATING MEANING ACROSS CULTURES: THE CHALLENGES OF TRANSLATING IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Аннотация:

Idiomatic expressions represent one of the most complex challenges in translation, as their figurative meanings rarely correspond directly across languages. This thesis investigates the translation of idioms between English and Uzbek, focusing on the negotiation of cultural meaning and communicative intent. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks from Nida, Newmark, Baker, and Venuti, as well as Uzbek scholars such as Qo‘chqorov and Yo‘ldoshev, the study analyzes idioms in both directions: English into Uzbek and Uzbek into English. Through detailed case studies, the research highlights how literal translation often fails, while functional equivalence, adaptation, cultural substitution, and descriptive translation provide more effective solutions. The findings underscore the translator’s role as a cultural mediator and emphasize the need for idiomatic competence in translation training programs in Uzbekistan. By situating idiom translation within the broader field of intercultural communication, the paper demonstrates that translation is more than a transfer of words; it is the transfer of meaning, culture, and worldview.