THE SIGNIFICANCE OF METAPHOR AND SIMILE IN TRANSLATION STUDIES

This thesis investigates the translation of metaphor and simile as essential components of figurative language in cross-cultural communication. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of Cognitive Linguistics and Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the research examines how metaphors and similes function not merely as stylistic ornaments but as fundamental cognitive and cultural tools that shape perception and discourse. The study establishes a detailed classification of translation strategies including equivalence, adaptation, and explicitation and develops evaluative criteria for assessing their effectiveness in rendering conceptual mappings across languages. Through a comparative analysis of literary, journalistic, and technical texts, the thesis demonstrates that metaphorical expressions often require creative and culturally sensitive solutions to preserve cognitive resonance and rhetorical impact. The findings underscore the necessity for translators to balance fidelity to the source text with cultural appropriateness in the target language. This work contributes valuable insights to the fields of translation studies, applied linguistics, and intercultural communication by highlighting the pivotal role of figurative language in transmitting not only meaning but also worldview.