UNTRANSLATABILITY IN TRANSLATION: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES
Keywords:
translation, untranslatability, equivalence, adaptation, borrowing, compensation, idioms, culture-bound terms.Abstract
Translation is not merely the transfer of words from one language into another; it
is an attempt to render meaning, style, and culture across linguistic borders. Yet, there
are instances where elements of a source text resist direct transfer—these instances are
known as "untranslatability." This article explores the concept of untranslatability, its
types, and the challenges it poses, with special reference to English and Uzbek. It also
examines the strategies translators use to overcome such obstacles, from equivalence
and adaptation to borrowing and compensation. Through examples drawn from idioms,
culture-bound terms, puns, and literature, the paper demonstrates how untranslatability
can be addressed creatively, turning a seeming limitation into an opportunity for
cultural enrichment and interpretive depth.
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