TRANSLATION TECHNIQUES AND ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES IN RENDERING CULTURE-BOUND PROVERBS

Abstract

Translation is considered not only a linguistic activity but also a process of intercultural communication. Among various linguistic units, proverbs represent one of the most complicated elements to translate because they reflect the cultural identity, historical experience, traditions, and worldview of a particular society. Culture-bound proverbs contain meanings that are often hidden behind metaphors, symbols, and culturally specific references. Therefore, their translation requires special techniques and adaptive strategies that allow translators to preserve both the original message and cultural significance.

This thesis explores the main translation techniques and adaptive strategies applied in rendering culture-specific proverbs. The study discusses the importance of equivalence, adaptation, paraphrasing, domestication, foreignization, and compensation strategies in overcoming cultural differences between source and target languages. Particular attention is paid to the problem of transferring implicit cultural meanings and maintaining the communicative function of proverbs.

The research demonstrates that successful proverb translation cannot be achieved through literal translation alone. Translators should consider the cultural background, context of usage, and intended meaning of each proverb. The findings indicate that combining several translation strategies provides more effective results and helps maintain a balance between cultural authenticity and reader comprehension.