CULTURAL UNTRANSLATABILITY AND AI'S INTERPRETATIVE LIMITS: LEXICOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS FOR LANGUAGE POLICY AND IDENTITY
Abstract
This paper explores the phenomenon of cultural untranslatability and its implications for AI-driven translation systems. While neural machine translation has significantly advanced linguistic fluency, it continues to face challenges in handling culturally bound expressions. The study also addresses the lexicographic implications of these limitations, particularly the erosion of linguistic identity, the marginalization of minority languages, and the reinforcement of global epistemic imbalances. By advocating for digital sovereignty and decolonial approaches, the paper argues for inclusive AI lexicography that preserves cultural diversity and ensures equitable language representation.
Keywords
cultural untranslatability, AI translation, lexicography, Uzbek language, digital sovereignty, epistemic imbalance, decolonial linguistics
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