CHALLENGES IN TRANSLATING NAVOI’S WORKS INTO ENGLISH

Abstract

Alisher Navoi (1441–1501) is the cornerstone of Uzbek literary heritage, yet rendering his classical Turkic (Chagatai) texts into English poses complex problems. This article examines linguistic, lexical, cultural, and poetic challenges in translating Navoi’s works, including archaic vocabulary, Sufi symbolism, and strict metrical forms. Using a comparative analysis of existing translations, the study identifies key difficulties and illustrates them with examples from Navoi’s ghazals. We discuss translator strategies, such as balancing fidelity and creativity, and propose best practices (e.g. explanatory notes, adaptive meter) to preserve Navoi’s intent. The findings underscore that, as scholars note, maintaining the cultural and linguistic richness of Navoi’s poetry is crucial for meaningful English renditions.