THE ART OF LITERARY TRANSLATION: NAVIGATING LANGUAGE, SPEECH ACTS AND CULTURE

Abstract

Literary translation stands as a nuanced bridge between languages and cultures. It involves not only the accurate rendering of meaning but also the preservation of an author’s unique voice, imagery, and emotional tone. This paper explores the central challenges in literary translation, including speech acts, idiomatic expressions, cultural references, poetic devices, and grammatical structures. Drawing on examples from Uzbek, Russian, and English, it analyzes how translators must employ creativity, linguistic sensitivity, and cultural insight to produce translations that are both faithful and emotionally resonant. Through practical comparisons and examples, this paper argues that a successful literary translation is not a mechanical process, but rather a form of artistic recreation that ensures literature transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries.