EQUIVALENCE LOSS IN TRANSLATING IDIOMS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENGLISH AND UZBEK
Abstract
This article explores the problem of equivalence loss in translating idioms between English and Uzbek from a comparative linguistic perspective. Idioms are culture-bound expressions whose meanings cannot be understood through literal translation. Because English and Uzbek belong to different language families and reflect different cultural backgrounds, translators often face difficulties in preserving the original meaning, emotional tone, and stylistic value of idiomatic expressions. As a result, equivalence loss becomes one of the most common challenges in idiom translation. The study analyzes various types of equivalence loss, including semantic, cultural, and stylistic losses, which occur when an idiom in the source language has no direct counterpart in the target language. Through selected examples from English and Uzbek, the article demonstrates how literal translation, partial equivalence, and descriptive translation can lead to changes in meaning or expressiveness. The analysis highlights that cultural differences play a key role in shaping idiomatic meaning and strongly influence translation choices.
The article emphasizes the importance of using functional and contextual translation strategies to reduce equivalence loss. It argues that translators should focus not only on linguistic accuracy but also on cultural interpretation and pragmatic meaning. The findings of this study may be useful for translation students, language teachers, and researchers interested in idiomatic translation and cross-cultural communication.
Keywords
Idioms, equivalence loss, translation, English and Uzbek, cultural differences, comparative study.
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