THE ROLE OF THE TRANSLATOR IN SHAPING NATIONAL IDENTITY: A STUDY OF EARLY 20TH CENTURY TRANSLATIONS IN CENTRAL ASIA

This thesis investigates the pivotal role of translators in shaping national identity in Central Asia during the early 20th century. As cultural intermediaries, translators contributed to the emergence of national consciousness by selecting and interpreting foreign literary works that resonated with local values, aspirations, and historical contexts. This study focuses on the impact of translation choices on the construction of national identity, examining key translations, the motivations behind them, and their reception in Central Asian societies. Through a critical analysis of translators' work, the thesis aims to highlight how translation facilitated cultural exchange and influenced the development of a distinct national identity in a time of sociopolitical change.