COMPARATIVE-TYPOLOGICAL STUDY OF EASTERN AND WESTERN LEGENDS AND PROBLEMS OF THEIR TRANSLATION

This article examines the legends of Eastern and Western peoples from a comparative-typological perspective and discusses the problems that arise in translating them into other languages. The study clarifies the terminological boundaries of the legend as a genre and analyses the similarities and differences between plots and motifs in the two cultural spheres. Using the motifs of the combat between father and son, the husband's disguised return and trial, the fight with a dragon, and the tragedy of two lovers as examples, the article distinguishes genetic affinity from typological similarity. The second part considers the translation of cultural realia, genre terms, formulaic epithets, verse form and proper names. The conclusion argues that translators of legends must balance domesticating and foreignizing strategies.