Winter’s Edge

raw bonito 

the chef’s knife trembles 

with last year’s debt 

a helping hand

on the slippery slopes

winter mountain

frostbites

her withered hands

warms his

waiting alone—

good company around

the winter fountain

Lincoln Park Assault

Aliicia Menendez stood on the corner, near the ivy-covered mansion designed by James Nagle; she was waiting for her bus. She casually glanced down North Burling Street and noticed a gang of men staring at her. There were at least a dozen. Alicia did a double take. They were done up in military gear and their face coverings and gasmasks gave them the aspect of a swarm of six foot, 200-lb. insects. One of them pointed at her. They all wore coats emblazed across the back with ICE.

Uneasy, she began to drift from the bus stop. She looked again and they were moving, en masse, in her direction. Dropping her packages and clutching her purse, she took flight, in the direction of the intersection of West Armitage Avenue and North Halsted Street. She was wearing low heels and couldn’t make good time.

She fled for about half a city block before the big bugs caught up with her. Someone reached out and grabbed her arm, twisted it behind her back. Alicia cried out in pain.

“Get her ass on the ground,” one man barked gruffly and she was thrown to the pavement. Her hose shredded, her skirt tore. Her other arm was twisted behind her and twist ties affixed about her wrists.

“I got her purse,” said one of the men, turning up her handbag. “Alicia Menendez,” he muttered aloud. “She ain’t from Chicago.”

“Okay, Alicia Menendez,” purred a man, mocking her, “where’s you effing green card. Where are your documents, Beaner? You ain’t got ’em, do you?” he asked smartly.”

“I’m a citizen,” she wailed shrilly, then began to sob.

By this time, a crowd had begun to gather: Hispanics, Anglos, African Americans, a mixed-bag. They began to edge closer.

“Stand the fuck back!” shouted the presumptive leader. “This is official ICE business. You got no business here. Disperse or be detained.”

“You got a warrant?” asked a high-pitched voice. A woman. The crowd began rumbling angrily. The thugs of ICE looked uneasy.

“Like this lady said,” said a dark-suited man, “do you have a warrant?”

“What the hell are you?” asked the leader of ICE. “A goddamn lawyer?”

“I’m an immigration attorney,” replied the other man.

“This is a perfectly legal warrantless arrest, Esquire,” said the man bitingly. “You just carry your ass on out of here, while you can still walk.”

“What’s your reasonable suspicion?” asked the lawyer. “Warrantless arrests are only valid with probable cause or its equivalent.”

“She ran,” pointed out the head thug heavily.

“Because you ran after her,” the lawyer reminded her.

“If she wasn’t guilty, then why did she run?” ask the man, boldly putting his foot on the back of the prone Alicia.

“You men are all strangers to her. You’re heavily armed. You’re wearing masks. I saw the whole thing. You didn’t identify yourself as agents.”

Before the man could respond, one of his minions said, “Eh, Mike, this lady is a U.S. citizen.”

“Huh? And how do you know that?”

“Passport,” replied the other man, holding it out for Mike’s inspection.

Without another word, Mike bent and cut Alicia’s bonds. Then, as if on cue, two black SUVs rumbled up and, still without a word, the men climbed aboard. The vehicles sped away.

The attorney knelt and helped Alicia to her feet. “Anything I can do for you, ma’am?” he asked kindly.

“Wh…what happened?” she asked in a bewildered voice. “I’m a stranger to Chicago,” she explained. “I’m from Milwaukee.”

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.

Still Life with Dead Zone

1-

Blackbirds at Dusk

Bare tree outlined against a brushed-of-light sky.  Blackbirds risen in flight.  Cold, 

shifting wind suggests a freezing rain, sleet changing to snow.  In the valley, the cleared

field is collecting birds.  Their gathering a strange collection of living matter among the

desiccated stumps of summer.  Long rows of them, newly sprouted like nightmares.

Moon rise with

white comet tails;

ghost light on an

empty outdoor stage

After the flight of birds, silence.  Nothing moving among the dead, leafless trees, sheared

to the stumps or broken into diseased humps, sprouting from the ground like the broken limbs of

dead soldiers planted as a warning for those who follows after. The muffled steps of what comes

after the night, their obscene bodies, their wings.

2-

Flyway

Pre-front clouds, a black fistula consuming a bent horizon.  Birds in migratory flight

flee the stilted hills, the nesting grounds.  Static electricity rubs the color from the sky.  An open

wound left behind.

Flat sky, sun torn

fabrics, black 

blood blisters.  Birds.

Incongruous tarmac at the edge of wild jungle growth baked hard by relentless sun.  Air

ground control station, elevated sniper/ guard towers overlooking the perimeter, concertina wire,

no man’s land.  Toward nightfall, a mad minute, tracer rounds instead of exotic birds flights;

incoming instead of by-air transport.

3-

Roadside Marker

Early morning still life with grazing cows.  Sun bursting off last finger of ground fog

drying the low, foraged grass.  Budding trees just beyond wending wall of rock separating fields

from drainage ditches and black topped road.  Clipped lily on white cross by bare black limbed,

skinned-of-bark tree.  A scatter of car parts. Windshield glass.

Confluence of shadow

and fog, no light

leaking through.

White stone marker embedded roadside indicates eighty-one kilometers to nowhere.

Lifting ground fog and battlefield smoke envelop cratered highway littered with discarded gear:

worn boots, torn rucksacks, unfolded blankets, ruptured canteens, tattered tents.  Along the road,

stunted trees, a long, thin barbed wire fence posted with warning signs, blackened fields of burnt

elephant grass.  Still life with dead zone.

4-

Flooded Road

Legacy of storm; a spontaneous inland sea.  Reflections of immersed objects in still

water: trees, tops of fence posts, vehicle roofs, antennae, tips as rigid as insects remains.  Clear,

cloudless sky cleansed of light.

Temporary bridges

between two shores,

water in the middle

washing them away.

Fording the river in full combat gear.  Foot soldiers holding their weapons diagonally

overhead, walking, waist high, then chest high, some totally submerged. Only the rifles, still

mostly dry, visible above the surging water.

5-

Fog and Woodsmoke

Evening haze with scent of cook stoves, fireplaces.  Houses trimmed with decorative

lights off-season; an almost unearthly glowing in near-night darkness.  Still life with cracked

blacktop and low hanging trees.  The pulsing of the overhead wires almost audible.  Nothing

moving but the smoke. The haze.  The strange rings of the overhead street lights.

Dead air with black

smoke; impossible

to breathe.

Smoke from the burning thatched huts.  The guts of cook fire spread on the hard packed

earth: embers, overturned black pot, utensils for stirring, nearby.  Last, spent remnants of 

location-marking flares amid the black, billowing smoke.  A naked baby, sitting amid the 

wreckage, screaming.

6-

Pavement Ends

Single lane of hard packed, graded rock between fenced fields.  Thick, intensifying

ground fog covering the land, obscuring the caution sign, masking the way.  Vision, at last light,

no more than a few feet forward.  Soon, the dark.

Maps without borders,

unmarked trails

have no end.

Bent-to-the-earth signs say: Extreme Caution: Minefield Do Not Enter.  A skull and

crossed bones penciled beneath the words.  Fields extending on either side of the road into the 

dark; the enclosing jungle trees beyond.  The way on either side cratered from overhead

bombing or from something explosive underneath.  Large pits with still water inside. Other

objects, as well.  Soon, the dark.

The Ark

What’s art to the soul, bees’re to flowers; a wasteland without either?

I’m pushed far off into the river, because the government wants to uproot this slum and develop the land. Land is scarce, and I have been driven out with the rest of slum-dwellers, not once or twice but many, driven out mercilessly, our shacks bulldozed, our spirits broken. But we rise again in a phoenix existence, governments cannot rid of us. 

The sun rises even as we speak, I see lights filtered through the bees of the lush forest around the deep seas where the river and the sea meet, where I make an ark and I sleep in it another type of dwelling made in the seas. An expert in ark-making which I’ve become now from building a long ark, way too long for all the slum dwellers to live. This skill is a lifesaver, I make, mend broken arks and paint over its solid wood, until this becomes an art. Every time a hut on land is bulldozed, tall towers, constructed in its place, I appear before the demolished shacks to take advantage, and elsewhere into the seas until the ark glows at night like a spec on dark sea waves.

Ark dwellers pay me well. I can now build a brick house with it on an isolated island; papers, leases—documents, works for all that’s worth. Even join the builders’ group with such quality skills I’ve learn’t from ark building. They will gladly hire me and I can eventually buy them off. Great transformations lay on the horizon, as I start to lay bricks for a building of development project of a newly vacated slum. Then one day, a few men from the ark come along putting a claim to the land, because this is where their lost shacks were. They are no seafarers.

I look at them, I hide my face for I know these people whom I built strong new arks, my soulful arts on the sea. In my growing distance from the hive, those live off the sea. Oh! Look, look at me! What I have become!  My place isn’t on board the ark is an art I chose, which I choose to opt out. I’m a beyond rich, a brick layer by trade who owns a flat on this island—a wasteland of monstrosity called development, ultimately altruistic, a symbiotic symbolism where bees and beaus disconnect.

Topic: Fidelity and infidelity in the work of N.M. Karamzin ”Бедная Лиза”.

Literature as an art form reveals the vices of humanity. Russian literature contains a huge number of works that show Russian life, culture, images, characters, characters. In the epic novels ”Тихий Дон” by M.A. Sholokhov and “Война и мир” by L.N. Tolstoy, the reader encounters the theme of infidelity, and, as in “Евгений Онегине”, with the infidelity of women.”Судьба и человек” by M.A. Sholokhov, ”Отца и дети” by Bazarov, ”Безверие” Pushkin, the “Фаталист” Lermontov.

The great writer Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin reveals the different sides of the human soul in the work “Бедная Лиза”, written in the spirit of sentimentalism and pre-romanticism, the stories “Наталья,боярская дочь“, “Остров Борнгольм”,”Сиерра- Морена.”

The main character Lisa is a very beautiful, young girl from the countryside. After her father’s death, her mother loses her pristine appearance, lives a dull, gloomy life. Lisa, seeing the situation, shows kindness to her mother, helps her and works with her mother in the market. There she meets her first love Yeraza. Liza is such a polite girl that she can’t look at the eyes of a fool. Yeraz takes 100 rubles for Rosa, but Lisa never wants to take extra money from anyone and also does not take money Phrase. The relationship of Yeraz and Lisa.

The young girl Lisa is emotional. She really fell in love right away. She is very kind, and honestly believed Yeraz, Yeraz also had a good attitude at first, but it was short-lived. As soon as he reached his intention, he no longer wanted Lisa. After that he was not interested in anything with Lisa.

“He looked at her with an affectionate look, took her hand… And Liza, Liza stood with downcast eyes, flushed cheeks, and a trembling heart—she could not take her hands away from him—she could not turn away when he approached her with his pink lips… Ah! He kissed her, kissed her with such fervor that the whole universe seemed to her to be on fire! “Dear Liza!  Erast said. “Dear Liza! I love you,” and these words echoed in the depths of her soul like heavenly, delightful music; she hardly dared to believe her ears… But I’m dropping the brush. I can only say that in that moment of rapture Lisa’s timidity disappeared — Erast found out that he was loved, loved passionately with a new, pure, open heart.”

The character of Yeraza.

Yeraz is a very rich noble. He fell in love with Lisa, but this is not love, he just spent time and used the girl for lust, deceived her. Yeraz has never regretted giving up on Lisa.

Lisa’s death.

Lisa when she heard: ”I said to get married, you should leave me alone, forget me. “That is, the word Eraza. At that moment, Liz was ready to die. She lost her feelings, the meaning of life disappeared, and she killed herself. She chose the easy way and remained in great sin. Thus, she ended her life with a beautiful body and soul. When her mother heard about the terrible death of her daughter, her eyes froze in horror and closed forever.

“Erast deceived Lisa by telling her that he was going to join the army? “No, he really was in the army, but instead of fighting the enemy, he played cards and lost almost all of his estate. Peace was soon concluded, and Erast returned to Moscow, burdened with debts. There was only one way for him to improve his circumstances — to marry an elderly rich widow who had long been in love with him. He decided to do so and moved to live with her in the house, dedicating a sincere sigh to his Lisa. But can all this justify him?

Lisa found herself on the street and in a position that no pen can describe. “He, he kicked me out? Does he love someone else? I’m dead!” 

In conclusion, everyone should never trust anyone. People always express their desires first.

Trust is a sacred feeling, but not everyone has values. In life, let faith only be in Allah and in yourself, so that you are not deceived. Faith is such a concept, it can only be used once.

Faith and worldview were the most important components of the life of every single person and entire nations, because this is the criterion of conscience, it is these factors that determine the entire way of life, human destiny, relationships in the family, in the state, in everyday life.

Used literature: “Бедная Лиза”  Н.М.Карамзин

Ecotourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development: Environmental, Social, and Economic Perspectives

Ecotourism has emerged as one of the most effective approaches to achieving sustainable development in the tourism sector. Unlike mass tourism, ecotourism emphasizes environmental conservation, community participation, and cultural preservation. This article explores the role of ecotourism as a tool for sustainable development, analyzing its environmental, social, and economic impacts. Special attention is given to developing countries, where ecotourism serves as a mechanism for poverty reduction, biodiversity protection, and regional development.

The study highlights both the opportunities and challenges associated with ecotourism and proposes recommendations for its effective implementation. Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, contributing significantly to employment, income generation, and cultural exchange. However, conventional mass tourism often leads to environmental degradation, cultural commodification, and unequal economic benefits. In response to these challenges, ecotourism has gained global recognition as a sustainable alternative.

Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people, and involves interpretation and education. Over the past decades, ecotourism has become an important topic in geography, environmental studies, and development economics. This article aims to examine ecotourism as a tool for sustainable development and evaluate its environmental, social, and economic dimensions. One of the primary objectives of ecotourism is environmental conservation.

Natural ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, mountains, and coastal zones form the foundation of ecotourism activities. By assigning economic value to natural resources, ecotourism encourages their protection rather than exploitation. Protected areas supported by ecotourism revenues often benefit from improved management, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation programs. Entrance fees, guided tours, and eco-lodges generate funds that can be reinvested into environmental protection.

Furthermore, ecotourism promotes environmental awareness among tourists, fostering responsible behavior and appreciation for nature. However, poorly managed ecotourism can also result in environmental pressure, including waste generation, habitat disturbance, and overuse of fragile ecosystems. Therefore, strict environmental regulations and sustainable planning are essential to ensure that ecotourism fulfills its conservation goals.

Ecotourism plays a vital role in strengthening local communities. Unlike mass tourism, which is often controlled by external investors, ecotourism prioritizes community participation and local ownership. This approach empowers local residents by providing employment opportunities and supporting traditional livelihoods.

Cultural heritage, local customs, and indigenous knowledge are integral components of ecotourism experiences. Tourists engage with local communities through cultural tours, handicrafts, traditional cuisine, and storytelling. As a result, ecotourism contributes to cultural preservation and intercultural understanding. Nevertheless, challenges such as cultural commodification and unequal benefit distribution may arise.

To address these issues, inclusive governance, capacity building, and fair revenue-sharing mechanisms are necessary. From an economic perspective, ecotourism contributes to diversified income sources, especially in rural and remote regions. It stimulates local entrepreneurship through small-scale businesses such as guesthouses, guiding services, transportation, and food production. In developing countries, ecotourism has proven effective in poverty alleviation and regional development.

By attracting environmentally conscious travelers, destinations can generate stable income while minimizing negative impacts. Moreover, ecotourism enhances the image of destinations on the international stage, promoting sustainable branding and competitiveness. Despite its benefits, ecotourism requires initial investments in infrastructure, education, and marketing. Without proper planning, economic leakage may occur, reducing benefits for local communities.

While ecotourism offers numerous advantages, several challenges hinder its sustainable implementation. These include lack of clear definitions, weak regulatory frameworks, insufficient professional training, and limited awareness among stakeholders. Climate change poses an additional threat, affecting natural attractions and biodiversity. Extreme weather events, ecosystem degradation, and water scarcity may reduce the attractiveness of ecotourism destinations. Therefore, climate adaptation strategies must be integrated into ecotourism planning.

Recommendations for Sustainable Ecotourism

To maximize the positive impacts of ecotourism, the following measures are recommended:

Development of clear national and regional ecotourism strategies

Strengthening environmental regulations and monitoring systems

Enhancing local community participation and ownership

Investing in education, training, and environmental awareness.

These measures can ensure that ecotourism remains a viable and responsible development pathway. Ecotourism represents a powerful tool for achieving sustainable development by balancing environmental protection, social equity, and economic growth. When properly planned and managed, it contributes to biodiversity conservation, community empowerment, and regional development.

However, the success of ecotourism depends on effective governance, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term sustainability strategies. In the context of global environmental challenges, ecotourism offers a promising model for responsible tourism development. Future research should focus on measuring its long-term impacts and developing innovative approaches to enhance sustainability in diverse geographical contexts.