Translating phraseological units from English into Ukrainian is considered to be a highly complex task, as it is necessary to convey their essential features such as imagery, conciseness, integrity of meaning, stability, and reproducibility.

Phraseological units are extremely diverse in their semantics and are closely related to the culture and mentality of the people. When translating phraseological units, the most important task for a translator is not to lose the stylistic function of the phraseological unit. In the absence of an identical image in English, the translator is forced to resort to finding an approximate match.

In terms of translation methods applied when rendering English idioms, they may be divided into two main types:

1) translation with exact equivalent, which is the only possible translation and does not depend on the context. This type of translation is inherent in the literal, word for word translation of English phraseological units, for example: swim like a fish - плавати як риба в воді;

2) translation with partial equivalents of English phraseological units, for example, a snake in the grass- зміюка підколодна. Partial equivalents contain lexical, grammatical and lexico-grammatical differences in the presence of the same meaning in the stylistic aspect. Accordingly, this type can be divided into: partial lexical equivalents (kill the goose that lays the golden eggs - вбити курку, яка несе золоті яйця) and partial grammatical equivalents (fish in Doubled waters - - ловити рибу в каламутній воді).

The author's original transformations are particularly difficult to translate, which may include:

• introduction of new components into  phraseological units, e.g: to put the cart before the horse - робити все навпаки;
• transformation and renewal of the lexical and grammatical composition of an idiom by replacing some of its components with other words. For example: to have an albatross about one's neck - носити важкий камінь на серці (literally, “to wear an albatross around one's neck”);
• splitting phraseological units and using their component (or components) as part of a variable phrase.

The cultural and linguistic differences and disperancies in the phraseological heritage of both languages present maybe the biggest challenge for a translator. My teaching experience reveals that most students cannot correctly translate the idiom an elephant in the room — дуже важлива справа, interpreting it as слон в посудній лавці, instead. Such mistakes are caused by the desire to find a metaphorical basis, referring to the linguistic and cultural background of the native language (Cowie, 1998). A large number of phraseological units in English have no Ukrainian equivalents, for example, phraseological units containing realities.

When translating this type of phraseological units, it is best to use calquing and descriptive translation. Calquing makes it possible to convey to the reader the figurative component of an English phraseological unit. For example: the old lady of Threadneedle Street - стара леді з Треднідл-стріт (the English bank). A footnote or commentary may add to understanding the translation: ‘an old lady’ implies conservatism (Treadneedle Street is the street where it is located). The translation variant «англійський банк" does not convey the specifics of this phraseology. Such nicknames as John Bull - «Джон Буль» and Uncle Sam - «дядько Сем» are best conveyed by calquing.

In addition to the calquing technique, descriptive translation is used, i.e. translation of phraseology by means of a free combination of words. It is especially useful for conveying phrases of a terminological nature that do not allow for calquing during translation. For example: cross the floor of the House - перейти з однієї партії в іншу; accept the Cniltern Hundreds складати з себе повноваження члена парламенту.

Summing up, there are the following techniques of translating phraseological units: translation by phraseological equivalent, phraseological analogue, descriptive translation, contextual translation and calques. But the best way to translate figurative phraseology is undoubtedly to use the corresponding idiom in the native language. The use of this translation method ensures not only the transmission of the meaning, but also the reproduction of the imagery and expressiveness of the original English idiom.

References

1. Thomas, B. J (1990). Advanced Vocabulary and Idiom / Paperback, 128p.
2. Cowie, A.P. (1998). Phraseology: Theory, Analysis, and Applications. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998, 272 p.
3. Granger, S., Meunier, F. (2008). Phraseology: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. John Benjamins Publishing, 422 p.