The Analysis of Stylistic Devices and Their Translation from English to Kazakh in the Works of Mark Twain

Abstract

This thesis provides a detailed investigation into the use and translation of stylistic devices in the literary works of Mark Twain, with a particular emphasis on how these rhetorical elements are rendered from English into Kazakh. The primary focus is placed on The Prince and the Pauper, while supplementary material is drawn from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. By conducting a comparative analysis of the source and target texts, the research identifies core stylistic features such as metaphor, simile, irony, hyperbole, repetition, epithet, and dialect, and examines their literary function within the narrative context. These devices are crucial to Twain’s authorial voice, humor, and cultural commentary. The study employs a product-based research design, allowing for a meticulous comparison between the English originals and their published Kazakh translations. The translation strategies observed include literal translation, modulation, equivalence, omission, adaptation, and compensation. Each strategy is evaluated for its effectiveness in preserving not only semantic content but also the expressive and aesthetic qualities of the original texts. Particular attention is paid to how cultural and linguistic differences impact the transmission of stylistically loaded elements, such as sarcasm, dialectal speech, and historical allusions, which are often culturally bound and linguistically nuanced. The findings suggest that while some stylistic features are faithfully retained, others undergo significant transformation or are occasionally omitted, often due to structural, cultural, or ideological constraints. The research underscores the importance of the translator’s role as both linguistic and cultural mediator and emphasizes the need for deeper stylistic awareness in Kazakh literary translation. The thesis concludes by offering practical recommendations for improving stylistic fidelity and translator training in Kazakhstan’s literary landscape.