THE ROLE OF CULTURAL EQUIVALENCE IN TRANSLATION: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES IN ENGLISH–UZBEK TRANSLATION

Abstract

Cultural equivalence is one of the most significant aspects of translation studies because language and culture are deeply interconnected. In English–Uzbek translation, translators often face difficulties when transferring culturally specific meanings, idioms, traditions, and social expressions from one language into another. This article investigates the role of cultural equivalence in translation and examines the challenges encountered in English–Uzbek translation contexts. Using a qualitative research approach, the study analyzes translation examples, classroom practices, and translator experiences to identify common cultural translation problems and effective strategies. The findings demonstrate that literal translation frequently fails to preserve cultural meaning, while adaptive and communicative translation strategies improve comprehension and intercultural understanding. The article concludes that cultural awareness and linguistic competence are essential for producing accurate and meaningful translations in multilingual communication.