THE INTERPRETATION OF METAPHORS AND PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING
Abstract
This article examines the interpretation of metaphors and phraseological units in sign language interpreting, with particular attention to semantic transformation processes that occur when verbal expressions are rendered into a visual-gestural modality. Metaphors and phraseological units represent some of the most culturally and cognitively complex elements of verbal language, often lacking direct equivalents in sign languages. The study explores how interpreters negotiate meaning through semantic reduction, expansion, compensation, and reinterpretation to achieve communicative adequacy. Drawing on theories of translation studies, cognitive linguistics, and sign language linguistics, the article analyzes the challenges associated with figurative language and highlights the role of contextual and extralinguistic factors in shaping interpretation strategies. The findings demonstrate that successful sign language interpretation of metaphors and idioms depends not on formal equivalence but on functional and pragmatic meaning transfer, ensuring accessibility and comprehension for Deaf audiences