CULTURAL AND PRAGMATIC LOSS IN PUNJABI ENGLISH METAPHOR TRANSLATION: A CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR THEORY ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study explores the cultural and contextual challenges involved in translating Punjabi metaphors into English. Metaphors are not merely linguistic devices; they are deeply rooted in the cultural values, beliefs, and lived experiences of a community. The translation of Punjabi metaphors into English is a complex task because both languages belong to different cultural and cognitive frameworks. This research uses Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980) as its theoretical foundation. A qualitative research design is adopted, and twenty Punjabi metaphors are selected as data. The findings reveal that translators must consider cultural context, target audience, and communicative purpose to achieve effective translations. The study recommends functional equivalence and descriptive translation as the most useful strategies for bridging cultural gaps.