THE ROLE OF CULTURAL IDENTITY IN TRANSLATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEK AND ENGLISH LITERARY TEXTS

615 THE ROLE OF CULTURAL IDENTITY IN TRANSLATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEK AND ENGLISH LITERARY TEXTS Mukhtorjonova Muhsina Yokubjon kizi The student of the faculty of TRANSLATION, UzSWLU Scientific supervisor: PhD, associate prof. E.T.Tursunnazarova Annotation: This article explores the role of cultural identity in the process of literary translation, focusing on the interaction between linguistic form and cultural meaning. The study compares Uzbek and English literary texts to highlight how translators convey national spirit, cultural worldview, and emotional tone. The analysis demonstrates that translation is a form of cultural negotiation, where the translator must balance fidelity to the source with the expectations of the target culture. The findings show that preserving cultural identity enriches intercultural communication and promotes mutual understanding between nations. Keywords: translation, cultural identity, literary texts, equivalence, worldview, intercultural communication. Annotatsiya: Ushbu maqolada badiiy tarjima jarayonida madaniy identitetning roli tahlil qilinadi. Tadqiqot o‘zbek va ingliz badiiy matnlarini qiyoslab, tarjimonning milliy ruh, madaniy dunyoqarash va estetik ifodani yetkazishdagi strategiyalarini yoritadi. Tahlil shuni ko‘rsatadiki, tarjima bu faqat lingvistik jarayon emas, balki madaniy muloqot shaklidir. Tarjimon manba madaniyatiga sodiqlik va qabul qiluvchi madaniyatga moslik o‘rtasida muvozanatni saqlashi lozim. Natijalar madaniy identitetni saqlagan holda tarjima qilish xalqlararo anglashuvni kuchaytirishini ko‘rsatadi. Kalit so‘zlar: tarjima, madaniy identitet, badiiy matn, ekvivalentlik, dunyoqarash, madaniyatlararo muloqot. Аннотация: В статье рассматривается роль культурной идентичности в процессе художественного перевода. Сравнительный анализ узбекских и английских литературных текстов показывает, как переводчик передает национальный дух, культурное мировоззрение и эмоциональный колорит произведения. Автор подчеркивает, что перевод является не только лингвистическим, но и культурным актом посредничества. Сохранение культурной идентичности при переводе способствует развитию межкультурного понимания и диалога между народами. Ключевые слова: перевод, культурная идентичность, художественный текст, эквивалентность, мировоззрение, межкультурная коммуникация. The concept of cultural identity lies at the heart of every act of translation, especially in literary contexts where language embodies national consciousness and 616 artistic vision. As Bassnett 4 notes, translation is “a process of negotiation between texts and cultures.” Every language represents a unique worldview shaped by its history, traditions, and values. When translators render a text from one culture into another, they do not merely transfer words but reconstruct the author’s cultural identity within a new linguistic environment. Uzbek literature is rich in expressions of collective identity, emotional depth, and moral values, while English literature often emphasizes individuality and psychological introspection. These differences make the translation process a complex act of mediation between divergent cultural paradigms. The research employs comparative and descriptive analysis of selected Uzbek and English literary texts, focusing on: 1. Culture-specific expressions (realia). 2. Idioms and metaphors reflecting national identity. 3. Translation strategies used to convey emotional and cultural meaning. Examples were taken from Abdulla Qodiriy’s “O‘tgan kunlar” and Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” Each example was analyzed according to equivalence theory 5 and domestication/foreignization strategies 6 . Cultural identity manifests itself through symbols, traditions, and moral codes embedded in the text. For instance, Qodiriy’s use of “or-nomus” (honor and dignity) conveys a deeply rooted Uzbek moral value that lacks a direct English equivalent. The translator must therefore apply descriptive translation - e.g., “a sense of moral purity and family honor” - to convey the underlying meaning without distortion. In English literature, imagery and emotional expression are often individualistic. Dickens’ description of personal struggle contrasts with Qodiriy’s collective moral ideals. This difference highlights what Venuti 7 calls “the translator’s invisibility” - the idea that the translator’s cultural interpretation subtly influences the target text. Translation acts as a form of intercultural mediation. As Wierzbicka 8 argues, languages encode cultural scripts that cannot be easily separated from thought. A translator must therefore “think in two cultures” 9 , interpreting the text not only semantically but culturally. Successful translation bridges not just linguistic, but also conceptual and emotional worlds. The study concludes that cultural identity plays a vital role in shaping the aesthetics and ethics of translation. Translating Uzbek and English literary texts requires sensitivity to cultural nuances and awareness of how language reflects 4 S.Bassnett, Translation Studies. Routledge., 2014 5 E. A. Nida, Toward a Science of Translating. Brill., 1964 6 L.Venuti, The Translator’s Invisibility: A History of Translation. Routledge., 1995 7 L.Venuti, The Translator’s Invisibility: A History of Translation. Routledge., 1995 8 A.Wierzbicka, Understanding Cultures through Their Key Words. Oxford University Press., 1997 9 617 identity. The translator’s task is not only to convey meaning but to mediate between two worldviews. Preserving cultural identity in translation enriches both languages and fosters intercultural dialogue - a goal central to modern translation studies. REFERENCES: 1. S.Bassnett, Translation Studies. Routledge., 2014 2. E. A. Nida, Toward a Science of Translating. Brill., 1964 3. L.Venuti, The Translator’s Invisibility: A History of Translation. Routledge., 1995 4. A.Wierzbicka, Understanding Cultures through Their Key Words. Oxford University Press., 1997 5. A. Qodiriy, O‘tgan kunlar. Toshkent: O‘zbekiston nashriyoti., 1926 6. C. Dickens, Great Expectations. London: Chapman & Hall., 1861