Contextual semantics of literary portrait units and their functional correspondence in translation

Abstract

This article theoretically examines how literary portrait units connect observable features with character evaluation. It develops compatible criteria for classification, contextual interpretation and translation comparison. Materials include relevant approaches from stylistics and translation studies, theoretical issues from the author’s dissertation and specifically constructed examples. Methods comprise conceptual comparison, componential analysis and contextual analysis. Referential meaning, figurative mechanisms, evaluation sources and textual functions constitute distinct analytical dimensions. Interpreting external features as evidence of emotions or character traits requires sufficient contextual support. Translation correspondence is assessed through denotative accuracy, imagery, evaluative orientation, register and narrative perspective. Overlapping bodily, colour, movement and voice features motivate multilayer annotation. Translation operations are distinguished from stylistic outcomes: replacing an image does not necessarily diminish expressiveness. No quantitative corpus findings are presented. The framework supports subsequent systematic comparison of Oybek’s novel Navoiy with its English translation, connecting classification, interpretation and translation assessment while preserving the distinctions between these complementary analytical procedures.