LEXICAL PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATION FROM ENGLISH INTO RUSSIAN

Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Journal ISSN: 2775-5118 Vol.4 No.10 (2025) I.F. 9.1 6 LEXICAL PROBLEMS OF TRANSLATION FROM ENGLISH INTO RUSSIAN Gulparshin Bazarbaeva Allambergenovna Assistant-teacher of Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh Faculty of Foreign Languages English Linguistics Department [email protected] Annotation: The article deals with lexical problems arising in the process of translation from English into Russian. The focus is on the linguistic, cultural, and semantic aspects of lexical equivalence and non-equivalence. The study analyzes the main causes of lexical difficulties such as polysemy, homonymy, idiomatic expressions, and cultural realia. Various translation strategies are discussed to minimize lexical losses and ensure accurate transmission of meaning. Key words: translation, lexical equivalence, semantic shift, non-equivalence, idioms, polysemy, cultural context. Introduction Translation has always been a vital component of intercultural communication, serving as a bridge between peoples, nations, and civilizations. In the era of globalization, the need for highquality translation has grown tremendously due to the expansion of international cooperation, trade, and digital communication. However, translation is not a simple substitution of words from one language into another — it is a complex cognitive and linguistic process involving both linguistic competence and cultural awareness. Among the major linguistic challenges in translation, lexical problems are considered the most intricate. The lexicon of any language is deeply rooted in its culture, social norms, and historical development. Therefore, lexical items often carry meanings that go far beyond their dictionary definitions. When translating from English into Russian, the translator faces differences in grammatical structure, word formation, connotations, and semantic fields. These differences make direct translation difficult or sometimes impossible. For instance, the English word privacy encapsulates an individualistic cultural concept that does not exist in the same form in Russian society. Similarly, idiomatic expressions like to break the ice or hit the nail on the head require creative adaptation to preserve their communicative effect Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Journal ISSN: 2775-5118 Vol.4 No.10 (2025) I.F. 9.1 7 in Russian. Such examples illustrate that translation is not a mechanical activity but an interpretive act requiring linguistic intuition, creativity, and cultural empathy. The study of lexical problems in translation is essential not only for improving linguistic theory but also for enhancing the professional skills of translators. By understanding the reasons behind lexical difficulties — such as polysemy, homonymy, idiomaticity, and cultural nonequivalence — translators can develop effective strategies to overcome them. This research aims to analyze these problems systematically and offer practical recommendations for ensuring lexical accuracy and cultural adequacy in translation from English into Russian. The Nature of Lexical Problems in Translation Lexical problems in translation arise when words, phrases, or idioms in the source language do not have direct or complete equivalents in the target language. According to Nida (1964), “equivalence in meaning rather than form must be the primary concern.” However, achieving full equivalence is rarely possible due to differences in lexical structure, cultural context, and semantic fields. For example, the English word privacy has no exact equivalent in Russian, as the concept itself developed differently in Anglo-Saxon culture. The closest Russian analogues уединение or личное пространство convey similar, but not identical, meanings. Lexical Non-equivalence and Cultural Realities Cultural words and concepts (realia) are among the main sources of lexical problems. They refer to objects, customs, or phenomena specific to a particular culture and therefore often resist translation. Examples include:  pub → “паб” (loanword) rather than бар;  Thanksgiving → “День благодарения,” a calque that requires explanation;  prom → “выпускной бал,” which is close but not identical in cultural meaning. The translator must decide whether to borrow, explain, or adapt such words depending on the target audience. This process demonstrates that translation is not simply linguistic substitution but cultural mediation. Polysemy and Homonymy as Sources of Lexical Ambiguity English is known for its polysemy — one word having several related meanings — which complicates translation into Russian. For instance: Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Journal ISSN: 2775-5118 Vol.4 No.10 (2025) I.F. 9.1 8  charge may mean обвинение, заряд, плата, or команда depending on context. Homonyms, too, can cause confusion. For example, bank can mean either берег реки or банк (financial institution). A translator must carefully analyze the context, grammatical environment, and collocations to determine the appropriate meaning. Contextual translation is the only reliable method for resolving such ambiguities. Idiomatic and Phraseological Problems Idioms and phraseological units often pose significant difficulties because their meanings cannot be deduced from their individual components. Literal translation usually results in semantic distortion. For example:  to kick the bucket → умереть, not пнуть ведро;  it’s raining cats and dogs → льёт как из ведра;  once in a blue moon → в кои-то веки. The main strategy here is equivalent idiomatic translation, where the translator finds a target-language phrase conveying the same idea and stylistic tone. Lexical Gaps and Word Formation Differences English tends to form compound words and phrasal verbs, while Russian relies on inflection and derivational morphology. This structural difference leads to lexical gaps that complicate translation. For instance:  outsider → чужой or посторонний;  breakthrough → прорыв;  take off (phrasal verb) → взлететь or стать популярным. Translators often employ descriptive translation to fill lexical gaps, especially when new concepts appear in technology or culture (e.g., streaming, blockchain). Methodology of Translation Analysis The research is based on comparative linguistic analysis and contrastive translation studies. The examples were selected from literary works, journalistic texts, and modern English media. Methods include:  contextual analysis,  componential analysis of word meaning,  and functional equivalence comparison. Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Journal ISSN: 2775-5118 Vol.4 No.10 (2025) I.F. 9.1 9 These approaches reveal how translators choose lexical equivalents depending on text genre, communicative goal, and cultural expectations of the audience. Strategies for Overcoming Lexical Problems Translators use various techniques to cope with lexical difficulties: 1. Transcription and Transliteration – for proper names and cultural terms (Oxford, pound sterling). 2. Loan Translation (Calque) – for fixed expressions (brain drain → утечка мозгов). 3. Descriptive or Explanatory Translation – for culture-specific items (Thanksgiving → национальный праздник благодарности в США). 4. Functional Substitution – replacing the SL concept with a functionally similar TL term. 5. Contextual Adaptation – preserving pragmatic meaning rather than literal form. These methods allow translators to balance between linguistic accuracy and cultural naturalness. Conclusion In conclusion, lexical problems in translation from English into Russian represent one of the most challenging aspects of interlingual communication. The diversity of lexical systems, cultural backgrounds, and semantic nuances creates numerous barriers that require not only linguistic expertise but also intercultural competence. This study has shown that lexical non-equivalence arises due to a number of factors: differences in conceptual categorization, lack of direct equivalents, semantic shifts, idiomatic usage, and culture-bound terms. English and Russian belong to different typological groups — English being analytic and Russian synthetic — which also contributes to the difficulty of achieving full lexical equivalence. Effective translation depends on the translator’s ability to identify contextual meaning rather than relying solely on dictionary definitions. The translator must make informed decisions: whether to borrow, adapt, paraphrase, or replace lexical items depending on the communicative goal of the text. Strategies such as transcription, calque, descriptive translation, and functional substitution can significantly reduce lexical loss and maintain the integrity of the original message. Furthermore, lexical translation is inseparable from culture. Words embody social values, traditions, and experiences unique to each nation. Therefore, a translator must not only know how to translate words, but also how to translate worldviews. The role of the translator today extends Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Journal ISSN: 2775-5118 Vol.4 No.10 (2025) I.F. 9.1 10 beyond linguistic mediation — it includes fostering understanding between cultures, preserving meaning, and ensuring that translation serves as a true act of communication. Ultimately, the mastery of lexical translation lies in achieving a delicate balance between accuracy and naturalness, fidelity and creativity, and source meaning and target culture adaptation. The more deeply translators understand these principles, the more effectively they can produce translations that are not only linguistically precise but also culturally resonant. References 1. Nida, E. A. (1964). Toward a Science of Translating. Leiden: E.J. Brill. 2. Catford, J. C. (1965). A Linguistic Theory of Translation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 3. Baker, M. (1992). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. London: Routledge. 4. Komissarov, V. N. (1990). Theory of Translation. Moscow: Vysshaya Shkola. 5. Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. London: Prentice Hall. 6. Vinay, J.-P. & Darbelnet, J. (1958). Stylistique Comparée du Français et de l’Anglais. Paris: Didier. 7. Kade, O. (1968). Zufall und Gesetzmäßigkeit in der Übersetzung. Leipzig: VEB Verlag.