Translating Metaphors, Idioms, and Proverbs from English into Pushto: A Cultural Linguistic Analysis within Translation Studies

Abstract

Translating figurative language, like metaphors, idioms, and proverbs, really tough when moving between culturally distant languages such as English and Pashto. This study looks into the linguistic and cultural headaches these expressions cause, using Nida’s (1964) ideas on dynamic and formal equivalence, Newmark’s (1988) translation methods, and Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) concept of metaphor theory. Researchers picked fifteen metaphors, idioms, and proverbs in English, tracked down their Pashto counterparts, and laid out the strategies used in translation with the help of tables. Results? Idioms are the real culture-specific hurdles. Metaphors, on the other hand, often click because of universal mindsets. Plus, proverbs frequently echo moral similarities across different societies. This study stresses the translator's job of juggling meaning and sounding natural in the target culture. The best approach appears to blend functional equivalence, cultural swaps, and sometimes just plain paraphrasing. In the end, this article piles onto the expanding heap of translation comparisons between English and Pashto. It gives practical takeaways for anyone in translation, linguistics, or education.