SEMANTICS AS THE BASIS OF IDENTITY: PRESERVING KAZAKH HERITAGE IN TRANSLATIONS OF ABAI KUNANBAEV'S POETRY

ABSTRACT

This article explores the semantic features and challenges involved in translating in poetic texts, with a specific focus on the English translations of Abai Kunanbaev ’s poetry. The primary objective of the study is to examine how the semantic foundation of this research lies in the growing need to ensure the accurate and culturally sensitive transmissions of Kazakh poetic heritage to a global audience. The study is based on the analysis of selected poems by Abai Kunanbaev – a foundational figure in Kazakh literature – whose works reflect the conceptual worldview of the Kazakh people through his unique poetic vision. The research draws on the theoretical frameworks of translation scholars such as Komissarov (2018) & Barkhudarov (1975), employing a range of methodological approaches including comparative analysis of source and target texts, transformational techniques (translation shifts), and quantitative and statistical methods. The findings suggest that effective translation of Abai Kunanbaev’s poetry requires a deep understanding of the cultural and semantic nuances embedded in the original Kazakh texts. The comparative analysis reveals that while the English language can convey the core ideological messages of the poems, translators often resort to various translation strategies – such as concretization, generalization, semantic development, intonation substitution, complete transformation, pragmatic adaptation, transcription, omission, and compensation – to preserve meaning and achieve communicative equivalence. Overall, the research concludes that these strategies contribute significantly to the successful transmission of Abai Kunanbaev’s poetic intent to an international readership (recipient).