The Functional Role of Phraseological Units in Literary Translation

Abstract

This article analyzes the functional role of phraseological units in literary translation, examining their semantic, stylistic, and linguo-cultural characteristics. Phraseologisms are one of the key units that constitute the figurative layer of a language, and they play a distinct role in enhancing the expressiveness of a literary text, conveying the national spirit, and revealing the author’s style. The study considers the main challenges encountered in the translation of phraseological units, particularly the issues of finding equivalents, preserving national-cultural meanings, and recreating imagery. Furthermore, the effectiveness of equivalent, alternative, descriptive, and adaptive translation methods used for translating phraseologisms is illustrated with examples. The article provides a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between phraseological units in various languages, thereby revealing their artistic and aesthetic functions. The research findings indicate that the adequate translation of phraseological units depends not only on the translator's linguistic knowledge but also on a deep understanding of the people's culture, mentality, and artistic thinking. Therefore, preserving national identity and stylistic diversity in the process of translating phraseologisms is one of the essential criteria for literary translation.