Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15291/csi.4808
Idioms – Lost in Translation (A Translation Analysis of the Novel Mission London by Alek Popov)
Ana Vasung
orcid.org/0000-0002-2400-3009
; Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
In translation practice, especially in literary translation, one
of the most challenging tasks is the translation of idiomatic
expressions. In the search for an appropriate translation
equivalent, the translator employs different types of interlingual
equivalence. This paper provides an overview of
existing typologies and proposes a distinction between complete,
partial, semantic, and zero equivalence. The central
part of the paper presents an analysis of the translation of
idioms in the Croatian edition of the Bulgarian novel Mission
London by Alek Popov. The analysis covers a total of 90
examples in which idioms appear in the original text and/
or in translation. A distinction is introduced between phraseological
and non-phraseological translation to determine
how many idioms were lost in translation or to what extent
the translation was neutralized. A total of 68 idioms were
translated using phraseological translation techniques (complete
equivalence, partial equivalence, literal translation,
and semantic equivalence). Non-phraseological techniques
were used for 23 idioms, primarily through paraphrasing,
with nine idioms translated using unmarked expressions,
meaning that nine idioms were lost in translation. However,
since some of them were compensated for (four idioms),
the translator managed to achieve a similar effect in the
translated text. Based on the presented translation analysis,
the paper proposes a classification of translation methods,
discussing their advantages, disadvantages, and impact on
the final translation. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the
importance of translation competence and phraseological
knowledge, as well as the need for better lexicographical
treatment of idioms to facilitate the translator’s work and
ensure greater naturalness in translation.
Keywords
Bulgarian language; idiom; Croatian language; translation; translatology
Hrčak ID:
334061
URI
Publication date:
25.7.2025.
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