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.
