LINGVO-CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SIMILES IN ARTISTIC TRANSLATION: ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

Abstract

This article examines the complex nature of translating similes (comparisons)
in artistic texts, specifically comparing examples from English and Uzbek languages, focusing on
their deep-rooted lingvo-cultural characteristics. Similes are analyzed not only as linguistic
devices but also as carriers of national worldviews, cultural stereotypes, and geographical
associations specific to both cultures. The study outlines the main challenges faced by translators,
including the absence of direct cultural equivalents, the loss of connotation during transfer, and
the dilemma between preserving the source culture's exoticism (foreignization) and adapting to
the target audience (domestication). Various translation strategies, such as finding a full
equivalent, preserving the original form with annotation, and descriptive translation, are
discussed to achieve both semantic accuracy and adequate aesthetic and cultural impact in the
target language. The research underscores the necessity for the translator to act as a competent
cross-cultural mediator between English and Uzbek linguistic contexts