Achieving Equivalence in Slang Translation: The Case of Mario Puzo's "The Godfather"

This research explores the translation of slang and taboo language from English into Russian and Kazakh, focusing on Mario Puzo's The Godfather, a novel included among 100 works recommended for translation into Kazakh. By analyzing a parallel corpus of the original and translated texts, the study investigates the methods of achieving equivalence in the translation of slang in literary texts. The comparative analysis is based on the five-level equivalence theory developed by the prominent translation scholar V.N. Komissarov. The study concludes that when translating slang expressions from the original into Russian and Kazakh, the translator must not only be an expert with a deep knowledge of translation theory and the respective languages, but also be able to accurately convey the pragmatic potential of the source text. This is largely achieved by applying the fifth level of equivalence, which ensures the fulfillment of the communicative goal. A comparative analysis of the translations of slang units, conducted with reference to the works of scholars in the field of translation, contributes to the development of the theory, quality, and critique of literary translation. The practical value of the research lies in the potential application of its findings in translation practice, particularly in the translation of fiction and films from English into Kazakh.