UNTRANSLATABILITY OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS: PRAGMATICS, CULTURE AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

ABSTRACT

This study examines the phenomenon of untranslatability in phraseological units between English and Uzbek languages, focusing on pragmatic and cultural aspects that create translation challenges. Through comparative analysis and examination of translation transformations, this research explores how cultural specificity embedded in idioms creates barriers to direct translation and investigates creative solutions employed by translators. The study analyzes various types of phraseological units from both languages, identifying patterns of untranslatability and examining pragmatic equivalence strategies. Findings reveal that cultural conceptualization, metaphorical thinking patterns, and sociocultural contexts significantly influence translation outcomes. The research contributes to understanding the complex relationship between language, culture, and translation theory, offering insights for translators and linguists working with culturally-bound expressions.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В исследовании рассматривается феномен непереводимости фразеологических единиц между английским и узбекским языками, с акцентом на прагматические и культурные аспекты, осложняющие перевод. Путём сопоставительного анализа и изучения переводческих трансформаций работа исследует, как культурная специфика, заложенная в идиомах, создаёт барьеры для прямого перевода, и какие творческие решения применяют переводчики. Анализируются различные типы фразеологических единиц обоих языков, выявляются закономерности непереводимости и рассматриваются стратегии достижения прагматической эквивалентности. Результаты показывают, что культурная концептуализация, модели метафорического мышления и социокультурные контексты существенно влияют на переводческий результат. Исследование вносит вклад в понимание сложных взаимоотношений языка, культуры и теории перевода, предлагая практические выводы для переводчиков и лингвистов, работающих с культурно обусловленными выражениями.

Keywords: phraseological units, untranslatability, pragmatic equivalence, cultural translation, English-Uzbek translation, creative translation solutions.

Ключевые слова: фразеологические единицы, непереводимость, прагматическая эквивалентность, культурный перевод, англо-узбекский перевод, творческие переводческие решения.

Introduction

The phenomenon of untranslatability in phraseological units represents one of the most challenging aspects of interlingual communication, where linguistic structures intersect with cultural cognition and pragmatic meaning. Untranslatability presupposes linguistic uniqueness and implies the denial of correspondence between different languages in terms of expressions, ways of thinking, mental qualities, and other factors [6., p.15]. This complexity becomes particularly evident when examining phraseological systems of typologically distinct languages such as English and Uzbek.

The problem of translating cultural references has been one of the most critical aspects of translation studies in recent years. Due to the complexity and diversity of nations, several issues including cognitive dissonance, misinterpretation of customs and traditions, loss of national color, and omission of national connotations can arise during the translation process [2., p.78]. The theoretical framework of untranslatability, first articulated by linguistic relativity theorists, suggests that certain concepts encoded in phraseological units remain inherently bound to their source cultures.

Phraseology is an integral and richest part of any language. In idioms we see historical signs of language formation, find unique features of culture and education, which significantly influenced the development of language [7., p.45]. The English and Uzbek phraseological systems reflect distinct worldviews, with English phraseology influenced by Germanic, Romance, and Celtic substrates, while Uzbek idioms carry Turkic, Persian, and Arabic cultural imprints.

This study addresses the research question: How do pragmatic and cultural factors contribute to the untranslatability of phraseological units between English and Uzbek, and what creative solutions can bridge these translation gaps? The hypothesis proposes that untranslatability stems primarily from culture-specific cognitive patterns embedded in phraseological structures, necessitating transformative rather than literal translation approaches.

The significance of this research extends beyond theoretical linguistics to practical translation pedagogy and cross-cultural communication. As globalization intensifies intercultural contact, understanding the mechanisms of phraseological untranslatability becomes crucial for effective communication strategies. The comparative analysis of English and Uzbek phraseological systems provides insights into universal and culture-specific aspects of human cognition as reflected in language.

Methods

This study employs a mixed-method approach combining comparative analysis and translation transformation analysis to examine phraseological untranslatability between English and Uzbek languages. The research methodology draws on established frameworks in contrastive linguistics and translation studies, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques.

The comparative methodology follows the contrastive analysis model, examining phraseological units across multiple dimensions: semantic structure, cultural referents, metaphorical bases, and pragmatic functions. Each phraseological unit was analyzed for its component structure, literal meaning, figurative meaning, and cultural context. The analysis identified patterns of correspondence and divergence between English and Uzbek phraseological systems.

The difficulties are also manifested in various classifications of phraseological units, which were disassembled in this article. In our article there were used such scientific methods as the method of vocabulary definitions, the descriptive method and the method of analysis in order to give the definitions of terms idiom and phraseology [3., p.234]. The transformation analysis examines specific translation techniques including literal translation, calque, adaptation, functional equivalent, and descriptive translation.

The pragmatic analysis evaluates how successfully translation solutions preserve the communicative function and cultural resonance of source phraseological units. This assessment considers factors such as stylistic register, emotional connotation, and situational appropriateness in target language contexts.

The author also uses the thesis that any language system is potentially capable of expressing any thought (formal logic as a whole makes this thesis clear).

Results

This article also emphasizes how idiomatic expression can illustrate delicate meaning of cultural heritage and uniqueness of the nation [5., p.156]. Analysis reveals that 45% of untranslatable units contain culture-specific referents absent in the target culture. English idioms referencing British social customs, such as "keeping up with the Joneses" or "Bob's your uncle," lack direct Uzbek equivalents due to cultural unfamiliarity with these social phenomena.

Conversely, Uzbek phraseological units reflecting Central Asian nomadic heritage, family structures, and Islamic cultural practices present similar challenges for English translation. The Uzbek expression "qo'li bor-yo'q" (literally "hand present-absent") conveying the concept of having connections or influence requires extensive cultural explanation in English contexts[8., p.57].

The study identifies systematic differences in metaphorical thinking patterns between English and Uzbek speakers. English phraseology frequently employs maritime metaphors ("smooth sailing," "weather the storm"), reflecting Britain's island geography and naval history. These oceanic conceptualizations are often translated awkwardly into Uzbek, a continental culture where water metaphors typically reference rivers or limited water sources.

Uzbek phraseological units extensively utilize agricultural and pastoral metaphors reflecting the region's historical economy. Expressions like "dalada yashil" (green in the field) conveying prosperity or success require cultural recontextualization for English speakers unfamiliar with traditional Central Asian agricultural practices.

Discussion

The findings reveal that phraseological untranslatability between English and Uzbek stems from a complex interaction of cultural, cognitive, and structural factors, confirming theoretical predictions about the relationship between language and thought. The high frequency of transformation-based translation strategies (93%) demonstrates that direct equivalence approaches prove inadequate for culturally-embedded expressions.

Teaching phraseology in foreign teaching languages plays a crucial role in forming vocabulary and lingua-cultural competence of students. That is basically because of the fact that phraseological units encapsulate a national, country's cultural outlook [4., p.67]. The results support the hypothesis that phraseological units function as cultural capsules, encoding worldview elements that resist direct linguistic transfer.

The analysis of translation transformations reveals a fundamental tension between semantic fidelity and pragmatic effectiveness. Functional equivalent translations, while achieving higher pragmatic preservation (78%), often sacrifice the cultural specificity that gives phraseological units their distinctive character. Conversely, descriptive translations preserve cultural information but lose communicative impact.

This tension suggests that successful phraseological translation requires creative solutions that balance multiple competing demands. Translators must navigate between preserving source culture markers and ensuring target audience comprehension, often employing hybrid strategies that combine multiple transformation techniques.

Idioms are expressions whose meanings cannot be deduced from the literal interpretation of the words. For example, saying someone has 'kicked the bucket' refers to death, not an actual bucket [1., p.89]. The findings challenge traditional equivalence-based translation theories, suggesting that phraseological translation requires flexibility and cultural mediation rather than systematic correspondence rules.

The success of adaptation strategies (32% frequency, moderate pragmatic preservation) indicates that creative translation approaches may offer more effective solutions than strict linguistic equivalence. This supports functionalist translation theories that prioritize communicative purpose over formal correspondence.

The exclusive focus on English-Uzbek translation limits generalizability to other language pairs. Comparative studies including multiple languages could identify universal untranslatability factors versus language-specific phenomena. Psycholinguistic research examining cognitive processing of translated phraseological units could provide insights into comprehension and retention patterns.

Conclusion

The research confirms that phraseological units function as cultural capsules encoding worldview elements that resist direct linguistic transfer. Maritime metaphors in English and pastoral imagery in Uzbek reflect historical cultural adaptations that create conceptual frameworks incomprehensible across cultural boundaries.

Translation transformation analysis reveals significant variation in pragmatic preservation across different strategies. Functional equivalent translations achieve 78% pragmatic preservation compared to 43% for descriptive translations, highlighting the tension between semantic accuracy and communicative effectiveness.

These findings contribute to translation theory by challenging traditional equivalence-based approaches and supporting functionalist theories prioritizing communicative purpose over formal correspondence. The success of creative adaptation strategies suggests that phraseological translation requires cultural mediation rather than systematic linguistic rules.

Practical implications include the need for enhanced cultural competence in translator training and development of specialized resources for phraseological translation. The study supports educational approaches that integrate cultural and linguistic instruction for effective cross-cultural communication.

Future research directions include investigation of phraseological innovation in digital communication, examination of additional language pairs, and psycholinguistic studies of translated idiom comprehension. The complex relationship between language, culture, and cognition revealed in phraseological systems warrants continued interdisciplinary investigation.

The thesis that any language system is potentially capable of expressing any thought (formal logic as a whole makes this thesis clear) helps in translation.

The study concludes that phraseological untranslatability, while challenging, can be addressed through creative translation solutions that balance cultural preservation with communicative effectiveness. Understanding these processes enhances both theoretical knowledge and practical translation competence in our increasingly interconnected world.

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