This paper aims at exploring the issue of whether it is possible to treat translation simply
as a strategy in which semantic equivalence between the source language and the target
language is established, especially in the context of literary translation which involves socio
cultural communication, understanding of register, role relations and attitudinal aspects of
language. To what extent a translator can contribute in bridging the gap caused by culture
and geography is a question of great concern, as all literary texts are deeply couched
in the socially determined and historically grown matrix of a particular culture, which
proves to be a major impediment in translation. For example, a culturally specific term in
source language may not have the corresponding word in the target language and some
words have great suggestiveness in certain contexts whereas some images hardly have
equivalents in other languages. To authenticate this point, a few examples of Assamese
proverbs and idioms are considered that are very much grounded in the Assamese cultural
fabric. In addition to these proverbs, the lexical items used in Assamese traditional folk
songs are considered, which can pose difficulties for literary translators.