EQUIVALENCE CHALLENGES IN TRANSLATING ENGLISH IDIOMS INTO UZBEK

This article examines the equivalence challenges in translating English idioms into Uzbek within the framework of contemporary translation theory. Idiomatic expressions represent one of the most culturally marked and semantically complex layers of language, as their meanings are rarely deducible from the literal meanings of their components. The study explores different types of equivalence, including formal, semantic, pragmatic, and functional equivalence, and analyzes how these dimensions interact in the translation process. Drawing upon the theoretical foundations of scholars such as Eugene Nida, Peter Newmark, Roman Jakobson, and Lawrence Venuti, the article discusses the linguistic and cultural asymmetries between English and Uzbek that complicate idiom translation. Special attention is given to the strategies of direct equivalence, partial equivalence, descriptive translation, paraphrasing, and cultural substitution. The research argues that successful idiom translation requires not only linguistic competence but also intercultural awareness and pragmatic sensitivity. Through analytical discussion and illustrative examples, the study demonstrates that equivalence in idiom translation is not absolute but relative, dynamic, and context-dependent.