Abstract
Translating culturally specific elements, or realia, between languages from different linguistic and cultural families presents unique challenges. This study examines the difficulties of translating Spanish realia into Uzbek, focusing on the absence of direct equivalents, cultural and historical discrepancies, and linguistic differences. Spanish realia, which encompass geographical, ethnographic, and socio-political terms, often lack corresponding concepts in Uzbek due to the distinct cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the two languages. The research explores various translation strategies, including borrowing, calques, descriptive translation, cultural substitution, and the use of footnotes or glossaries, to effectively convey the meaning and cultural essence of Spanish realia in Uzbek. By analyzing specific examples, such as paella, siesta, and El Dorado, the study highlights the advantages and limitations of these strategies. The findings contribute to the field of translation studies by providing insights into the complexities of cross-cultural communication and offering practical solutions for translators working with Spanish and Uzbek. This research underscores the importance of preserving cultural nuances while facilitating meaningful intercultural exchange.