TRANSLATION CHALLENGES OF ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS
Abstract
This study explores the challenges that arise when translating the names of architectural monuments between English and Uzbek. Monument names not only refer to tangible objects, but also serve as carriers of cultural memory, national spiritual identity, and symbolic meanings. In the process of translation, it is essential to consider both linguistic and cultural nuances, as direct equivalents are often lacking. The study analyzes selected examples to demonstrate how semantic clarity, cultural connotations, and historical context influence the translation process. Strategies such as transliteration, domestication, and foreignization are examined in terms of their ability to preserve cultural content and ensure accessibility for the target audience. The findings indicate that successful translation requires a balance between linguistic accuracy and the preservation of cultural heritage. This research contributes to the fields of translation studies and linguoculturology, emphasizing the role of translation in intercultural communication and in safeguarding the intangible aspects of architectural heritage for future generations.
Keywords
Translation, Architectural monuments, Cultural heritage, Linguoculturology, Uzbek–English translation
References
- Venuti, L. (2008). The Translator’s Invisibility: A History of Translation. 2nd ed. London: Routledge. (See pp. 19–40 for the discussion of domestication and foreignization strategies, which directly relate to cultural monument name translation).
- Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. New York: Prentice Hall. (Chapter 9, “Translation of Cultural Words,” pp. 94–113, is especially relevant to monuments, proper names, and culturally bound terms).
- Baker, M. (2011). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. 2nd ed. London: Routledge. (See pp. 14–24 on equivalence and culture-specific items, and pp. 182–200 on translation strategies for culture-bound references).
- UNESCO. (2014). World Heritage: Sharing Outstanding Universal Values. Paris: UNESCO Publishing. (Case studies on architectural monuments like Registan, Samarkand, and Stonehenge; see pp. 85–92 on Central Asian heritage, and pp. 134–140 on Stonehenge).
- Karimov, A. (2019). “Translation of Cultural Realities in Uzbek-English Context.” Journal of Translation Studies, 5(2), pp. 55–67. (Discusses monuments such as Registan and Shohizinda; pages 60–65 are especially relevant).
- House, J. (2015). Translation Quality Assessment: Past and Present. London: Routledge. (Chapter 3, pp. 61–84, on cultural context in translation and names).
- Kadirova, N. (2020). “Linguocultural Issues in Translating Uzbek Architectural Monument Names.” Philology International Journal, 12(4), pp. 211–223. (Focuses on Registan, Shohizinda, and the challenges of literal vs. cultural translation).