PRESERVING ARTISTIC RESONANCE: NAVIGATING STYLISTIC EQUIVALENCE IN ENGLISH-UZBEK LITERARY TRANSLATION

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges and strategies of achieving stylistic resonance in English-Uzbek literary translation, focusing on Ernest Hemingway’s minimalist prose as a case study. Drawing on theories of stylistic equivalence and cultural negotiation, the research identifies key obstacles posed by linguistic typology, narrative rhythm, and culturally embedded stylistic devices. A critical analysis of Uzbek translations of The Old Man and the Sea reveals that literal translation often leads to the loss of tone, rhythm, and emotional subtlety, while non-literal strategies—such as paraphrasing, adaptation, cultural substitution, and modulation—prove more effective in preserving the author’s voice. The study emphasizes that literary translation is a creative and interpretive act, requiring translators to function as “architects of resonance” who reconstruct artistic and emotional impact in the target language. Practical recommendations are offered for enhancing translator training in Uzbekistan, integrating advanced stylistic analysis, comparative literature methods, and cultural mediation skills. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on literary translation by highlighting the necessity of balancing fidelity to the source text with fluency and stylistic authenticity in the target language.