Kazakh Ethical-Philosophical Concepts in Translation: “Aqyl” (Reason), “Jurek” (Heart), and “Qairat” (Willpower) in Abai Kunanbayev’s Works

Abstract

This paper examines the ethical-philosophical triad articulated by Abai Kunanbayev in his Words of Edification and poetry, namely aqyl (reason), jürek (heart), and qaĭrat (willpower). It investigates how these culturally embedded concepts have been translated into Russian, English, and French, and how translational strategies reflect both cognitive-semantic challenges and ideological contexts. The study combines comparative textual analysis with postcolonial and semiotic perspectives. More than fifty examples of translated passages are scrutinized, demonstrating both the preservation and distortion of meaning in different epochs and languages. Soviet-era Russian translations tended to domesticate Abai’s text, sometimes generalizing or omitting culturally specific idioms, while post-Soviet retranslations and recent direct English and French versions aim to restore the original metaphoric and spiritual richness. Cognitive analysis shows that jürek encompasses not only emotion but conscience and courage, aqyl combines intellect and moral discernment, and qaĭrat signifies willpower as well as vigor and endurance. The novelty of the research lies in its systematic cross-linguistic comparison framed by postcolonial critique, which exposes how translation can simultaneously transmit philosophical universals and embed colonial reframings. The findings argue that Abai’s triad offers a distinctive cordocentric model of human faculties with enduring intercultural resonance, and that only through careful, culturally sensitive translation can its ethical and metaphysical depth be faithfully conveyed.