A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE POETIC CONSTANTS IN ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF ALISHER NAVOIY’S POETRY IN RELATION TO JAMI AND FUZULI

Abstract

This study examines the challenge of reconstructing the linguistic and poetic invariant in English translations of Alisher Navoiy’s classical Turkic–Persian poetry, with comparative reference to the poetics of Jami and Fuzuli. After outlining the theoretical notion of the “invariant” within translation studies and defining key parameters for the poetic invariant—such as lexical and metaphorical patterns, metrical and rhythmic organization, and intertextual references—the paper analyzes selected English renderings of works by Navoiy, Jami, and Fuzuli. The analysis identifies instances where the invariant has been effectively maintained as well as areas where it has been diminished or lost, and discusses the resulting implications for literary translation practice. The findings indicate that although lexical and thematic invariants can often be successfully conveyed, rhythmic-formal and culturally intertextual aspects tend to be weakened in translation. The paper concludes by offering practical recommendations for translators engaged with classical Eastern poetry.