PROBLEMS OF PRESERVING THE CONCEPT OF HUMOR IN TRANSLATION: A CASE STUDY OF THE UZBEK, ENGLISH, AND RUSSIAN VERSIONS OF “SHUM BOLA”

Abstract

This scholarly article examines the linguistic, cultural, and cognitive challenges involved in preserving and transmitting the concept of humor in translation, using Gafur Ghulam’s Shum Bola as a case study in three language versions (the original Uzbek text, and its English and Russian translations). The study focuses on the “loss” or “transformation” of humor in translation, exploring the causes and consequences of these shifts. The author demonstrates that the degree of conceptual preservation varies significantly depending on the form of expression (wordplay, puns, situational humor, cultural symbols, etc.). The English translation (by Mikhail B. G. Dae) and various Russian translations are analyzed in depth, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The article not only addresses issues of translation quality in Gafur Ghulam’s works but also highlights broader challenges related to the accurate and comprehensive representation of Uzbek literary heritage in global culture. The findings are of practical significance for translation studies, cultural studies, and comparative literature.