The study of translations of William Shakespeare’s works in Uzbekistan: historical stages and research directions

Abstract

This article offers a comprehensive examination of the profound influence of English literature and culture on Uzbek literature and artistic life, using translations and stage adaptations of William Shakespeare’s works as a primary case study. The research systematically analyzes the historical milestones surrounding the translation of Shakespeare’s plays into Uzbek, their theatrical staging, and their academic reception. The 1935 theatrical production of Hamlet, translated by the prominent writer Cho'lpon at the Hamza Drama Theatre, is identified as the foundational turning point for Shakespeare’s reception in Uzbekistan. The study further explores subsequent development phases, including the translation efforts of Maqsud Shayxzoda and G'afur G'ulom, Fozila Sulaymonova’s fundamental monograph Shakespeare in Uzbekistan, and direct translations from English completed during the independence era. Additionally, the paper categorizes five main directions in Uzbek Shakespeare scholarship and analyzes how intermediary language translation models influenced original text interpretations. Ultimately, the study concludes that Shakespeare’s influence entered Uzbek culture through translation, performance, criticism, and educational channels, reshaping national artistic perception.