TRANSLATION OF CULTURAL REALITIES: CHALLENGES, PRINCIPLES AND STRATEGIES

Abstract

This research paper investigates the phenomenon of cultural realities in translation, focusing on why culture-specific items are difficult to translate and which strategies are most effective for preserving meaning. Cultural realities often do not have direct equivalents in another language, which creates challenges for translators working between culturally distant societies. The paper analyzes the nature of cultural realities, examines the main translation problems caused by linguistic and cultural gaps, and describes the strategies that translators use to bridge these gaps. A special emphasis is placed on cultural competence, contextual interpretation, and the translator’s mediating function. The paper concludes by highlighting that the successful translation of cultural realities requires both linguistic and cultural knowledge, as well as the ability to balance accuracy, clarity, and cultural authenticity