One of the books I have read so far, and one that I enjoyed the most, is The Country Inside My Grandfather’s Stomach, written by the beloved children’s author Qobiljon Shermatov.
The main characters of the story are Bahodir, Baxtiyor, Mahmud Bobo, Oftob Payvasta, Nursalom Hoji, Shabadaliyev Sharof, the ruler Sfan, Abdurahmon Bobo, Qalandar Toga, and others.
The story begins when Bahodir and his closest friend Baxtiyor return home thirsty after playing football and accidentally drink a shrinking potion created by Bahodir’s elder brother, Olim. As a result, they become smaller than a flea and find themselves inside their grandfather’s body—more precisely, in the country within their grandfather’s stomach.
This country is extraordinarily pure, beautiful, and radiant. Anyone who enters it cannot help but fall in love with it. Its people are honest, faithful, intelligent, fair, and truthful, and everyone strives to become a scholar. Instead of water, delicious juices flow through the rivers. As people begin to read, they grow younger, and light starts to shine from their homes.
Bahodir and Baxtiyor, who previously did not enjoy studying very much, witness many things in this land that do not exist in our world. They experience wonderful adventures and show great courage. For their bravery, they are awarded the “Golden Star” by the city governor, Oftob Payvasta. They come to love learning wholeheartedly, take a growth potion, return to the real world, and after many events, firmly decide to become scholars. They also wish to return once again to their grandfather’s country.
However, this time, by coincidence, they do not enter their grandfather’s country but instead find themselves inside Shabadaliyev Sharof, a greedy accountant who fears no injustice and has made his desires the master of his heart. The country inside him is completely different from Mahmud Bobo’s land. There is no sun, the people are extremely selfish and miserly, and everyone thinks only of themselves.
This land is ruled by the greedy ruler Sfan, who represents human desire and lust.
Determined to become scholars, the protagonists meet Nursalom Hoji and continue their journey of learning. They gain extensive experience, study diligently, and strive to lead the people out of ignorance toward goodness. During one research journey, Bahodir ends up in the land of the “People of Prayer.” Together with the faithful, radiant, and kind people of that land, they fight against the ruler Sfan and defeat him. After seven years, they finally return to their homes and achieve their goals and dreams.
Conclusion
What does this work offer today’s readers? This story encourages every reader—young or old—to think deeply. It teaches us to be pure-hearted like Mahmud Bobo and warns us never to allow “Ruler Sfan,” that is, our own selfish desires, to rule our hearts. The story reminds us to seek knowledge constantly, to stand among good people, and to do good deeds.
Dear reader, as the saying goes, “Seeing once is better than hearing a thousand times.” Therefore, read this book, understand it deeply, and draw your own valuable conclusions. And never grow tired of seeking knowledge.
Nurbek Norchayev was born on April 18, 1993, in Kosan District of Kashkadarya Region. He is currently a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Pedagogy, Shahrisabz State Pedagogical Institute.
Ozod Sharafiddinov’s School of Translation: His Contribution to Introducing World Literature to the Uzbek Reader
This article provides a scholarly analysis of the translation school of the Uzbek literary critic and intellectual Ozod Sharafiddinov, his activities in introducing world literature to the Uzbek readership, and his contribution to translation theory. The study examines Sharafiddinov’s theoretical views on the translation process, his aesthetic criteria in literary translation, and his role in forming a school for young translators. The research concludes that the spiritual and cultural foundation he created in the field of translation became an important factor in the development of Uzbek literary thought.
Keywords:
Ozod Sharafiddinov, school of translation, world literature, Uzbek reader, literary translation, translation theory, literary criticism, spiritual heritage.
Introduction
Ozod Sharafiddinov is one of the prominent figures of the Uzbek literary process of the twentieth century, and the field of translation occupies a special place in his scholarly and creative activity. He interpreted translation as a creative process that enriches national spirituality, broadens the reader’s worldview, and develops literary thinking. Sharafiddinov was an intellectual who made a significant contribution to conveying progressive ideas from world literature to the Uzbek reader and to shaping modern artistic consciousness.
Sharafiddinov described translation as “the most complex form of literary creativity.” He emphasized the responsibility of the translator, stressing the necessity of fully understanding the spirit of the original text, the author’s individual style, and the artistic essence of the work during the translation process. His views served as a theoretical foundation for the formation of the Uzbek school of translation.
In his articles and lectures, he stated that a translator must possess a broad worldview, a high level of cultural awareness, and sufficient knowledge of literary history. Thus, Sharafiddinov aimed to enrich Uzbek literary thinking by elevating the culture of translation.
Sharafiddinov’s research on world literature enabled him to introduce new artistic ideas and styles to the Uzbek reader. He conducted in-depth analyses of the works of writers such as Hemingway, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Aitmatov, and Camus, and incorporated their works into the Uzbek literary environment on a scholarly basis.
Sharafiddinov’s commentaries on world literature:
familiarized readers with the international literary process,
explained new aesthetic and ideological movements,
interpreted trends such as existentialism and modernism.
In this way, he created opportunities for the Uzbek reader to comprehend and accept schools of world literature.
Sharafiddinov is distinguished by his scientific approach to translation. His main principles can be summarized as follows:
a) Preservation of the author’s spirit
He emphasized that a translator should transfer not merely the text, but the spirit of the original.
b) Aesthetic responsibility
The translator’s task is to ensure that the translated text in Uzbek is also artistically perfect.
c) Harmony of language and style
Sharafiddinov urged translators to have a deep knowledge of both the source language and Uzbek literary language.
d) The role of a cultural bridge
He regarded translation as a means of connecting two cultures.
Throughout his editorial career, Sharafiddinov worked with many young translators, edited their manuscripts, and provided scholarly and creative guidance. He established a school in the following areas:
Enhancing the cultural level of translators,
Developing mastery of literary language,
Demanding strict adherence to artistic criteria,
Presenting translation as a creative process.
In this sense, he can be regarded as an intellectual who laid the foundation of the Uzbek school of translation and secured a lasting place in history.
Ozod Sharafiddinov’s scholarly and practical activities in the field of translation are of invaluable importance to the development of Uzbek literature. By introducing world literature to the Uzbek reader, he expanded the spiritual horizons of national literature. His views on translation theory remain relevant today and serve as an important methodological source for contemporary translators.
The school of translation established by Sharafiddinov is recognized as a scholarly school that initiated a new stage in Uzbek literary thought.
References
Sharafiddinov, O. Literary Thought.
Sharafiddinov, O. Selected Works.
Sultanov, Q. The History of the Uzbek School of Translation.
Yuldashev, Q. Uzbek Literary Criticism of the Twentieth Century.
Rasulov, A. Fundamentals of Translation Theory.
Madina Mamasaidova
University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan.
