LINGUISTIC CHALLENGES AND TRANSLATION STRATEGIES IN TRANSLATING «MONSTER HIGH» INTO UKRAINIAN

Abstract

The article examines the linguistic, stylistic, and cultural aspects of translating the animated series Monster High into Ukrainian, focusing on the complex interplay between accuracy, creativity, and cultural adaptation. Translating audiovisual content, particularly material intended for young audiences, requires more than linguistic substitution: it involves reconstructing humor, idiomatic expressions, and intertextual references in a form accessible to the target culture. The research applies several theoretical models, including Eugene Nida’s concepts of formal and dynamic equivalence, Gideon Toury’s distinction between adequacy and acceptability, and Peter Newmark’s differentiation between semantic and communicative translation. These frameworks provide a methodological basis for evaluating translators’ decision-making processes and the balance achieved between fidelity to the source text and functional naturalness in the target language. The analysis demonstrates that the Ukrainian localization of Monster High attains a high degree of pragmatic and stylistic adequacy through the use of compensation, contextual adaptation, and lexical innovation. The translators demonstrate creative strategies for preserving wordplay, stylistic nuances, and thematic coherence within the «monster» universe of the series. They effectively convey character individuality and speech patterns through expressive and culturally resonant Ukrainian equivalents, ensuring both authenticity and accessibility for the target audience. The findings confirm that successful translation of animated content depends on maintaining the emotional, aesthetic, and humorous dimensions of the original while adhering to target-language norms. The study contributes to the broader discussion of audiovisual translation as a complex intercultural practice, demonstrating how theoretical principles can be pragmatically integrated to achieve both communicative effectiveness and artistic authenticity.