THE DEGREE OF EQUIVALENCE IN TRANSLATING THE CONCEPT OF “QAIRAT” (WILLPOWER) IN A.KUNANBAYEV’S WORKS

Abstract

The article analyzes the degree of equivalence of the concept qairat (willpower) in A. Kunanbayev’s works during the translation into Russian and English. The purpose of the paper is assessing the efficiency and level of equivalency of different translation techniques. In addition to formulating important evaluation criteria, the article suggests a methodical way of determining the degree of equivalency in conceptual units. It is proven that translating the concept of qairat (willpower) requires not only linguistic but also cognitive comprehension, considering cultural and philosophical aspects. The methodology of the article is based on the theory of five levels of equivalence of Russian translation scholar V.N. Komissarov. The material for the study was the poems and words of edification by A.Kunanbayev, their translations into Russian and English by S.Sanbayev, K.Serikbayeva, E.Zhumagul. New translation versions of such translators as J.Burnside, S.Geoghegan, G.Khalyk, R.Kudabayeva, Z.Auezova, O.Zhanaidarov will be acquired. The results obtained from the findings show that Abai’s prose translations exhibit higher equivalence than his poetry translations. The latest English translations are more accurate compared to Russian versions, while stepwise translations (Kazakh-Russian-English) reveal similar shortcomings. The study concludes that scientific and practical significance of the study lies in the fact that comparing the translations of the concept of qairat (willpower) by Kazakh, Russian, and English translators contributes to the development of Kazakh translatology.