THE INFLUENCE OF LITERARY TRANSLATION ON THE REPRESENTATION OF THE HORSE IMAGE

REPRESENTATION OF THE HORSE IMAGE

Soibova Gulchiroy Bakhtiyarovna

PhD student

Department of foreign language and literature

National university of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek

Gsoibova@list.ru

Annotation: In literary texts, the horse often symbolizes power, freedom, loyalty, or cultural heritage. However, its image and symbolic meaning can be altered or enriched depending on the translator’s choices. This article explores how literary translation impacts the representation of the horse image, how culture-bound symbolism is transferred across languages, and the role of the translator’s awareness of both source and target cultures in conveying this powerful image. Key words: literary translation, symbolism, horse image, cultural adaptation, translation strategies

Аннотация: В литературных текстах лошадь часто символизирует силу, свободу, верность или культурное наследие. Однако ее образ и символическое значение могут быть изменены или обогащены в зависимости от выбора переводчика. В этой статье рассматривается, как литературный перевод влияет на представление образа лошади, как культурно обусловленная символика передается между языками и какова роль понимания переводчиком как исходной, так и целевой культур в передаче этого мощного образа. Ключевые слова: художественный перевод, символика, образ лошади, культурная адаптация, стратегии перевода. Annotatisya:Badiiy matnlarda ot ko'pincha kuch, erkinlik, sadoqat yoki madaniy merosni anglatadi. Biroq, uning tasviri va ramziy ma'nosi tarjimonning tanloviga qarab o'zgartirilishi yoki boyitishi mumkin. Ushbu maqolada adabiy tarjima ot obrazining ifodalanishiga qanday ta'sir qilishi, madaniyatga bog'liq bo'lgan simvolizm tillar bo'ylab qanday uzatilishi va tarjimonning ushbu kuchli tasvirni etkazishda manba va maqsadli madaniyatlardan xabardorligi rolini o'rganadi. Tayanch so’zlar: badiiy tarjima, simvolizm, ot obrazi, madaniy moslashuv, tarjima strategiyalari

Translation is not merely a mechanical process of converting words from one language into another. Especially in literary texts, translation becomes a delicate art that carries cultural, emotional, and symbolic meanings across linguistic borders. The image of the horse is one of the most vivid and recurring symbols in world literature. In some cultures, it is associated with nobility and war; in others, with independence and nature. Yet, the way this image is interpreted by readers largely depends on the translator’s ability to preserve or adapt its meaning. Literary translators must consider the cultural context, stylistic nuances, and symbolic weight behind the representation of the horse. Translation of symbolic imagery - like that of a horse - goes beyond lexicon. It requires sensitivity to cultural traditions, emotional connotations, and genrespecific expectations. When this sensitivity is missing, the power of the horse image may be weakened or misrepresented in the target language. Cultural dimensions of the horse image

In many cultures, the horse is a symbol with deep historical and emotional resonance. For example, in Uzbek literature, the horse often represents not just transportation or strength, but a companion in war, a link to ancestral heritage, or a metaphor for personal dignity. In English-language texts, horses may carry connotations of the Wild West, of freedom and individualism.

The challenge for the translator lies in identifying whether to preserve the original connotation or to adapt it to something more familiar for the target readership. This choice is shaped by the translator’s knowledge of cultural codes and literary traditions. According to Newmark1, symbolic translation should aim to maintain both the meaning and the emotional force of the original symbol, even if it requires some cultural explanation or footnoting.

For instance, in translating a line like “U yerni tuyoqlari bilan tepib, ko‘zdan g‘oyib bo‘ldi”, a literal version may not convey the full drama and symbolic finality of the horse’s disappearance. An experienced translator might instead write: “He vanished into the horizon, hoof beats echoing like a fading heartbeat of the wild.” Such renderings show the translator’s role not only as a linguist but as a cultural mediator. The translator’s role in artistic interpretation

A literary translator plays an active role in shaping how the image of the horse is perceived in the target language. This responsibility includes interpreting metaphors, emotional tone, and even the rhythm of sentences. As Mona Baker2 points out, translation is an act of re-creation, not reproduction. If the horse in the source text embodies the spirit of resistance, the translated text must also evoke similar emotions, whether through equivalent metaphors or strategic lexical choices. Often, translators face the dilemma of either domesticating the image -making it relatable for the target reader - or foreignizing it, keeping its exotic flavor to emphasize cultural difference. Both strategies have strengths and weaknesses. A domesticated image may lose the original cultural richness, while a foreignized image may confuse the reader. The 1 Ньюмарк П. Учебник перевода. — М.: Вече, 2001. — 256 с. 2 Бейкер М. В других словах: Учебник по переводу / пер. с англ. — М.: Издательство ЛКИ, 2007. — 296 с translator must decide which effect better serves the text's purpose. Moreover, the translator must be aware of genre conventions. A horse described in poetic prose requires different stylistic choices than one portrayed in historical fiction or children’s literature. The form, tone, and even sentence structure must align with the intended literary effect.

In some literary traditions, the horse might be linked with mythical or spiritual elements. For example, in certain works by Tog‘ay Murod, the horse becomes an almost supernatural presence - wise, loyal, and morally upright. Rendering such nuances in English or other languages requires more than vocabulary - it demands literary insight and poetic instinct. The translator must search for target-language equivalents that carry similar emotional and spiritual resonance, perhaps drawing on that culture’s own mythic or folkloric animal imagery.

Additionally, translators often contend with idiomatic expressions involving horses. These may not have direct equivalents in the target language. For example, an Uzbek expression that conveys strength or stubbornness through horse imagery might need to be replaced with a culturally relevant metaphor in English, such as “stubborn as a mule” or “wild as the wind.”3

Conclusion

The horse is not just an animal in literature - it is a symbol loaded with meanings that change depending on the cultural and historical context. Literary translation plays a crucial role in shaping how this image is preserved or transformed across languages. By understanding the cultural, emotional, and stylistic dimensions of the source text, translators can ensure that the image of the horse continues to inspire and resonate with readers across the globe. In essence, translating the horse image requires more than word-for-word substitution. It demands a fusion of linguistic precision, cultural knowledge, and artistic intuition. Only then can the translated text maintain the power and beauty of the original representation.

THE LIST OF USED LITERATURE

1.Бейкер М. В других словах: Учебник по переводу / пер. с англ. — М.: Издательство ЛКИ, 2007. — 296 с. 2.Ньюмарк П. Учебник перевода. — М.: Вече, 2001. — 256 с. 3.Тогʻай Мурод. Асарлар тўплами. — Тошкент: Ўзбекистон, 2000. — 380 б. 3 Тогʻай Мурод. Асарлар тўплами. — Тошкент: Ўзбекистон, 2000. — 380 б.