A Comparative Study Of Figurative And Idiomatic Expressions In English And Uzbek: Insights Into Translation And Cross-Cultural Communication

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of figurative and idiomatic expressions in English and Uzbek, highlighting their structural, semantic, and cultural characteristics. Drawing on 100 idioms and 50 figurative expressions from each language, the study explores how these expressions reflect cultural values, worldview, and social norms. Using qualitative methods and thematic categorization, it identifies both universal metaphorical concepts and culturally unique idioms that pose translation challenges. Findings reveal that while English idioms often rely on imaginative and metaphorical imagery, Uzbek expressions are deeply rooted in tradition, emotion, and moral values. Translation strategies such as cultural substitution and paraphrasing are frequently required to preserve meaning. The study underscores the importance of cultural competence in translation and language education, and calls for the inclusion of idiomatic language in bilingual teaching materials. The paper contributes to translation theory, cross-cultural linguistics, and applied language pedagogy.