The Analysis of Humor Translation
The Analysis of Humor Translation in Sitcom
the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
Author: Huang Qun
Supervisor: Zhao Wenhui
A thesis
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of
the Requirement for the Degree of B.A. In English
College of Information Engineering Fuyang Teachers College, Anhui Province
April, 2015
学位论文
从目的论角度分析情景喜剧《生活大爆炸》
中幽默语的翻译
黄群
(学号201102010406）
指导教师姓名赵文慧职称讲师
单位阜阳师范学院信息工程学院
专业名称英语教育申请学级别学士
学位授予单位阜阳师范学院信息工程学院
2015年4月
The Analysis of Humor Translation in Sitcom
the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
Abstract
Humor is not only rooted in language and culture, but also an important part of different cultures and languages. Nowadays, the study on humor is mainly carried out from the perspective of literature, arts, and psychology. There is very little study on humor from the angle of translation. Furthermore, because humor in different languages or cultures possesses particular rhetorical and cultural characteristics, the translatability of humor is controversial, and some researchers even claim that humor is untranslatable. With the development of cross culture communication，more and more foreign adiovisual works appeared in Chinese film market. Humor translation plays an important role in American sitcoms, because it decides that if the audiences can get the same sensory experience as the local audience. However, how to let the audiences experience humor translation of the Big Bang Theory ? Based on Skopostheorie, a case study on American sitcom-the Big Bang Theory is analyzed in this thesis by analyzing that the translator how to translate the humorous language in this sitcom to make the audiences comprehend the original and fully understand the humor, showing the best humorous effect in Chinese.
Key words:Skopostheorie; humorous language; sitcom
从目的论角度分析情景喜剧《生活大爆炸》
中幽默语的翻译
内容摘要
幽默植根于语言和文化中，在不同的语言和文化中都占有重要的地位。目前对幽默的研究大都是从文学、艺术、心理学等角度，从翻译的侧面对幽默的研究极少。而且由于幽默有着内在的文化特性，幽默翻译的不可译性显而易见，有些学者甚至认为幽默是不可翻译的。随着世界文化交流日益频繁，越来越多的中国观众开始欣赏外国的影视作品。其中幽默的翻译是美剧翻译中不可缺少的一部分，因为它决定了目标语观众能否获得和源语观众一样的感官体验。然而，在文化背景的差异下，如何让观众也体会到《生活大爆炸》中字幕的幽默翻译呢？本文以目的论为依据来对《生活大爆炸》来进行个案分析。在美国情景喜剧《生活大爆炸》中出现了大量的幽默语。从目的论来分析译者是怎样翻译来再现原文中的幽默，使观众充分理解原语的幽默，在汉语中呈现最佳的幽默效果。
关键词：目的论；幽默语；情景喜剧
The Analysis of Humor Translation in Sitcom
the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
Thesis Statement
This paper studies on the humor translation in the Big Bang Theory in light of Skopostheorie in order to make Chinese people know more about foreign language and realize culture sharing.
Outline
Ⅰ. Introduction
A. A General Description of This study
1. The Purpose of This Study
2. The Reason and Significance for Choosing This Topic
B. Literature Review
C. The Scope of This Thesis
Ⅱ. The theory of Skopostheorie
A.A brief introduction to Skopostheorie
B.The Basic Concepts of Skopostheorie
C.Three key Rules of Skopostheorie
1.Skopos Rule
2.Coherence Rule
3.Fidelity Rule
4.Relationship of the Rules
Ⅲ. The Definition and Classification of Humor
A. The Definition of humor
B. The Classification of humor
Ⅳ. The Translation of Humor in the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
A. The humor translation of the Big Bang Theory
1.The Analysis of humor translation from linguistic
2. The Analysis of humor translation from culture
3. The Analysis of humor translation from universalism
B. The translation of humor in the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
1. Analysis in Light of Skopos Rule
2. Analysis in Light of Coherence Rule
3. Analysis in Light of Fidelity Rule
Ⅴ. Conclusion
The Analysis of Humor Translation in Sitcom
the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
Ⅰ. Introduction
A. A General Description of This Study
1. The Purpose of This Study
With the development of the network and international cultural exchange, more and more foreign film works has showed up in the Chinese market. The audiences like to watch a great variety of video works, especially the American sitcoms to relax themselves because of the fast-paced and high-stress living environment. Obviously, humor is exactly a kind of lubricant, which can help us to adjust our life, diffuse stress and learn more about western culture. Nowadays, in the sitcom, subtitling as the mainstream film translation is the main method of translation of American sitcom. Through the efforts of subtitle translators, the audience can often understand with a big smile. H umor can make people from different cultural backgrounds share humor. In other words, it is better to realize culture sharing all over the world.
2. The Reason and Significance for Choosing This Topic
Li Junhua said" Humor language expresses humor mainly through the means of language. As a medium, language depends on the particular context of using brisk and witty style by innuendo, irony, exaggeration, pun criticize and expose such practices in real life and unreasoning perverse phenomenon, which suggests the author's own thoughts, inspires people to think and produces meaningful artistic effect."
Humor translation can not be simply considered as a conversion between different languages. It is a kind of transportation into another context, not only linguistically, but also socially and culturally. The power of humor is greatly displayed by the translation of this sitcom. In short, the quality of subtitling for the Chinese audience to understand American sitcom has a vital role, which will let Chinese people know more about foreign knowledge and realize culture sharing.
B. Literature Review
In 1928, Henry Bergson distinguished the humor expressed by language. However, it is not until the ends of the 1989s researchers in this field have agreed on the techniques of translating humor. In 1989, some translators and teachers made a great contribution to this issue.
In the 21th century, age 90 is the golden age of the film translation. The research of film translation has developed fast during this time. Many experts like Gottlied from Denmark gained great achievements and made contribution to subtitle translation. Henrik Gottlied is the most famous professor in film subtitle translation, who has studied much on the film translation in light of linguistic. At the end of 1980s, he started his research on film translation and considered about it comprehensively.
Subtitling- A New University Discipline- Gottlied(1992) pays attention to the facets about acadmic of film subtitle.
Subtitling- People Translating People- Gottlied(1993) focus on the practice of film subtitle.
Subtitling- A Unique Type Of Translation-Gottlied(1995) concentrates on the features of film subtitle.
And in recent years, a lot of Chinese professors also have studied in this area. In 2000, the professor Zhao Huayong(赵化勇) published a book The Approach and Research of Foreign Film Dubbing, including the articles from all aspects to problem of film translation. In 2002, the book named 《影视字幕翻译散论》was come out by Nanjing Xiao Zhuang College, describing the situation of film subtitle translation in China. In the article The “Betrayal”in Translating the Title of English Film in the Journal of Shanghai University, the authors applied the Skopostheorie to the study of film translation.
C.The Scope of This Thesis
This paper is composed of five sections altogether. In the first section, there is an introduction of this paper. In the second section, it introduces the theory of Skopostheorie and its rules in detail; the third section includes the definition and classification of humor; then, a nalyzing the humor translation in The Big Bang Theory in light of Skopostheorie; in the fifth section, there is a summary of this paper.
Ⅱ. The Introduction to Skopostheorie
A. A simple introduction to Skopostheorie
In 1971,Katharina Reiss the first one who created the functionalist translation theory, and she also came up with the idea of translation criticism. Hans.J.Vermeer, a student of Katharina Reiss, is a linguist and translation theorist from Germany wrote a book General Fundation of Translation Theory with Katharina Reiss together. After that, Hans.J.Vermeer created Skopostheorie based on Katharina Reiss’s theories.
Translation is a kind of activity with purpose and the idea was put forward by functionalists, which focuses on the function of translation. Skopostheorie plays an important part in the functionalist theory. Skopos is a Geek work for “purpose”. All the translation has its own purpose which is the essence of the Skopostheorie.
B. The Basic Concepts of Skopostheorie: Aim, Purpose, Intention and Function.
The purpose of the whole translational action is the key point of this theory, which determines any translation process. Generally speaking, there are three kinds of purpose in the fields of translation: the general purpose aimed at by the translator in the translation process, the communicative purpose aimed at by target text in the target situation and the purpose tries to lead to a strategy or procedure.
Aim refers to the final result of translator want to achieve through a series of actions. Purpose refers to the temporary goals in the process of achieving a long-period -goals. Intention refers to the action plans leaded by the goal. Function refers to the meaning the translator wants to express from the perspective of receptor.
However, Christian Nord discovered a basic distinction between intention and function when it comes to these concepts. The sender’s view defined the intention to achieve a certain purpose. The text combined interaction, function definition, the concept of the receiver using a text has certain function, and it depends on their own expectations, needs, the previous knowledge and situational conditions.
A.Three key Rules of Skopostheorie
1.Skopos Rule
Skopos rule is of import in the three rules, that is to say Skopos Rule determined the translation action. Vermeer explicated the Skopos rule:
“Each text is produced for a given
purpose and should serve this purpose. The
Skopos rule thus read as follows:
translator/interpret/speak/write in a way that
enables your text/translation to function in the
situation in which it is used and with the people
who want to use it and precisely in the way they
want it to function. ” (Vermeer 20)
But the Skopos rule doesn’t offer any general principle or strategy. In other words, they can only be determined according to the Skopos rule. Translation process was determined by the purpose of translation. The receiver is the most vital aspect in the framework of the Skopostheorie, so many people from foreign countries can not well understand the original language like local peolpe due to the cultural differences. At the same time, Skopos rule is the highest rule among these rules.
2.Coherence Rule
There is another rule of skopostheorie. That is coherence rule, which should be the relationship between original texts and the target texts. As far as Vermeer is concerned, the intratextual coherence (also called coherence rule) should conform with the target text. This means the receiver should be capable of understanding it. That is to say, the translation should be significant and meaningful in a target culture.
All in all, the text which is translated into another language should be coherent with the specific situation in which employed by the receiver to accomplish the purpose of communication. Consequently, the translator should try to consider all aspects of this conversation (like culture) in the translation process to make the translation perfect.
3.Fidelity Rule
Obviously, it is not enough if the text is only coherent with the target situation. The two rules mentioned both pay attention to the interaction between the target text and target culture. Both of them neglect source text in a way. Source text plays a significant part in Translation. Therefore, the information during the process of translation is accordingly concerned in the source text. Taking all of these into
account, Vermeer bought up the fidelity rule or called intratextual. However, the understanding of the receivers and the purpose of the translation decided the level and the form of fidelity rule, which is different from the skopos rule.
In other word, the fidelity rule means that all the translators must be ture to the original text. The fidelity between the target text and its comparable source text can be researched from two aspects. At First, the target text should be true to its source text correspondingly in a specific level of linguistic features (such as special collocations, sentence lengthand so on). Then, the target text should be able be loyal to its source text correspondingly in some or all of these aspects to a certain extent between imitation and deviation.
4.Relationship of the Rules
The three fundamental rules of the Skopostheorie mentioned above are of relation. But a translation often just used one or two of the three rules in many cases. That is to say, it is unusual to find the three rules in a single translation at the same time. And the reason is that the Skopos of the translation tends to stray from the intention of the coincident source text situation. Actually, source text is usually used for the communication of the original rather than the foreign language.
In brief, fidelity rule should adhere by coherence rule, and the two rules should be subordinate to the skopos rule. Vermeer explains the relationship of the three rules as follows:
“If the Skopos requires a change of function, the
standard will no longer be intertextual coherence
with the source text but adequacy or
appropriateness with regard to the Skopos. And
if the Skopos demands intratextaul incoherence
(as in the theater of the absurd), the standard of
intratexual coherence is no longer valid. ” (Nord
33)
Ⅲ. The Definition and Classification of Humor
A. The definition of humor
Humor is a very hot topic. But what is humor? We can not find a clear answer. Humor comes from life. Humor is a form of language, and humor can not be defined specifically. As we all know, theword ”humor” is from Latin word- “liquid” or “fluid”. However, humor doesn’t have a clear explanation. Some said “Humor aims to make people laugh”. Others said “Humor is a kind of quality”. Up to now, many scholars have researched humor for a long time and have tried to define humor from different perspectives. According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s English—Chinese Dictionary, the definition of humor is "the quality that makes it funny or amusing or the ability to laugh at things that are amusing." Humor is the talent to make their audience laugh.
Based on The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, humor means people’s satisfaction when they are laughing. Humor can be regarded usually as an event to make people laugh. Palmer states:
“humor is everything that is actually or
potentially funny and recognizes humor as a
substantial matter” (Palmer 3). In Oxford
English Dictionary, the definition of humor is
“the quality of an action, speech, or writing,
which excites amusement; oddity, jocularity,
facetiousness, comi cality, fun”
(Simpson&Weiner 486).
B. The Classification of Humor
When it comes to humor, there are two parts, verbal humor and non-verbal humor. Verbal humor refers to humor aroused by language itself; while non-verbal humor has little to do with language, but is more directly related to comic scenes, ridiculous reactions, and funny facial expression and so on. J.R. Schmitz (2002) further divided verbal humor into three categories; universal humor, cultural humor and linguistic humor, but sometimes they share some overlaps. Universal humor is the most widely accepted and highly recognized humor. Regardless how old the audience
is, where he comes from, how much education he has received, which culture he was bom and breaded in, he will not bother himself so much about comprehending such kind of humor, even if there is no subtitle and no translation. Cultural humor concerns with custom, history, cultural background, geographical environment, climatic characteristics and so on. Humor as such is not as easily caught as universal humor. It is demanding for the audience to grasp cultural humor because of the unfamiliarity with a foreign way of expressing. Therefore, translation strategies are needed here to escort the audience to the laughter land. Linguistic humor pertains to language itself. The humor effect is usually attained by applying some rhetorical devices, such as pun, metaphor, simile, irony, hyperbole and sarcasm and so on.
Ⅳ. The Translation of Humor in the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
A. The humor translation of the Big Bang Theory
1. The Analysis of humor translation from linguistic
Linguistic humor mainly refers to use the variation of the linguistic elements (like pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and writing), and often appear in the form of puns including homophonic pun, semantic pun, syntax pun, saying pun and idiom. Linguistic humor is often expressed implicitly and euphemistically, but it always achieves some unexpected and unparalleled humor effects. Translation of such kind humor is more than demanding; sometimes it is even untranslatable.
The humor translation about language in character dialogue, the translator needs few cultural information to be processed, just translate the original intent simply, which can resonate across different cultures, bring relax to live up to humorous effect.
Wordplay usually can create humorous effect in English. If Chinese people want to understand the source text, they must be a master of English language and English culture. Meanwhile, they should be well aware of the way in which the nature of words has been altered can they appreciate the humor. The truth is that English and Chinese have their own language systems, which results in that wordplay in English is difficult to understand and translate.
Example 1:
Howard: It’s hot in here, it must be summer.
霍华德：这里真热啊（真性感），一定是夏天来了（一定是萨默）。
This sentence is said by Howard when he saw the famous actress Summer Glau for greeting on the train. And this sentence used two puns. At first, the word “hot” not only refers to the high temperature, but also regards as a kind of praise for Summer Glau. Another word “summer”also contains two meanings. “Summer”means Summer (season) and it also is the name of the famous actress-Summer. In this situation, the sentence generated humorous effect through ambiguous meaning.
2. The Analysis of humor translation from culture
Chinese people, because the imparities of territory, religion and region lead to the misunderstanding of puns. Puns refer to a particular context using the characteristics of the polysemy of words and homophones to make statements have double meanings. That means the usage of puns is implicative, humorous and meaningful. Besides, the usage of puns is often with exotic features.
Example 2:
Leonard: Oh, no. We don’t “live together”. I mean, we live together ,but in separate heterosexual rooms.
莱纳德：噢不，我们不是“生活在一起”。我的意思是说，我们住在一起。可是在不同的异性房间。
This conversation occurs when Leonard introduces himself into Penny, their new neighbour. Penny thinks that if two people of the same sex live together, they might be gay. Leonard seems to realize Penny’s suspect, he tries to explain their relationship but add insult to injury. In this case, the phrase “live together” used puns. “Live” has two meanings of inhabiting and life. Leonard just wants to say they live together in a same house, they are renters. Obviously, it is a word play. Penny gets very excited when Leonard said that sentence. And “live together”makes the audience feel puzzled leading to the expect of humor. After Leonard’s explanation, the audience suddenly are enlightened and burst into laughter.
3.The analysis of humor translation from universalism
Universal humor generally regards as humorous scene or humorous event. This
kind of ethnic commonality of the humor is relatively large. Thus, it is easy to understand the conversation even though you have not too much knowledge. Example 3:
Sheldon: So if a photon is directed
through a plane with two slits in it and either slit
is observed, it will not go thorough both slits. If
it is unobserved, it will. However, if it’s
observed after it’s left the plane, but before it
hits its target, it won’t have gone through both
slits.
Lenard: Agreed, what is your point?
Sheldon: There is no point; I just think it’s
a good idea for a T-shirt.
谢尔登：如果一道光线打向右个狭缝的
平面，假如有一个狭缝可以观测到的话，那它
没有同时通过两个狭缝；如果观测不到，那它
会通过。但是如果他是在离开平面之后再集中
目标之前被观测到，那它不会同时通过两个狭
缝。
莱纳德：没错，你想说什么？
谢尔登：没什么，我只是觉得这个主意
放在T恤上不错。
Firstly, Sheldon describes a professional physical phenomenon and the audience expect to that he next would explain a further summary or extension. Unexpectedly, he talks too much about complicated theory just in order to be used for the pattern of the T-shirt design. This humorous way of speaking is produced for deviating from the normal track. Using the normal words to make people easily understand it and laugh at it.
B. The translation of humor in the Big Bang Theory in Light of Skopostheorie
1. Analysis in Light of Skopos Rule
Sitcoms are faced with the audience of different cultural background. Thus, how to make the audiences understand the conversation same as the local people and make the communication as possible. The translation is the key. Skopos rule is the first principle of translation, which requests translator to comply with it and requires
the translation of the original to achieve the communicative purposes.
Example 4:
Alex: Okay, I think I have some really great
choices. I went on Amy’s Facebook page, and
read up on her interests.
Sheldon:Now, see, I never would have thought
to do that. Clearly, I made a good choice
farming this out to you. But I am telling you,
Amy hit the boyfriend jackpot. Anyway, my
socks are on. Let’s knock them off.
艾利克斯：我确实有几个妙招，我到她的主页
上，了解了一下她的喜好
谢尔顿：瞧吧，我就绝对想不到这样很明显，
把此事交给你来办，真是太英明了你得知道，
艾米找到我做男朋友可真是中了头奖总之，我
脚上有袜子，快快把它们吓掉吧！（给人惊喜）
Here, the translation of “my socks are on. Let’s knock them off.”shows Shelton’s mischievousness and enigmatic character. It is funny to some extent, but not to every one. Maybe the foreigners can not understand it very well. On the other hand, it also highlights the excitement waiting for Alex’s good idea. Besides, the translator tries to make the audience understand the humor well through the target language.
2. Analysis in Light of Coherence Rule
American sitcom is with extremely abundant language dialogue and unique American humor to seize the audience. However, Chinese audiences are mot all well in English. The most direct and convenient way to watch American sitcom is through the subtitles, which requires that the translator in the translation process should take the readers’ cultural background into account by using coherence rule.Achieving coherence rule in the largest extent, the target language receiver can understand the translation greatly. Consequently, the skopos rule as well as the coherence rule should be adhered when the translators are translating something.
Example 5:
Rajesh: I need an aspirin.
拉杰什：你有脑残片吗？
Example 6:
Shelton: Godness gracious, how are you allowed to carry a gun?
谢尔顿：哦，我的亲娘七舅老爷，你怎么会有资格配枪？
Example: 7
Howard: What the hell.
霍德华：我擦。
As we all know, the word “脑残” has become popular in China in recently. It refers to some incredible people who did something unbelievable. In this case, the translator takes background knowledge of the audience into account. Translating aspirin into “脑残” will prompt audience to experience Rajesh’s mood.
The translation of Shelton’s words is showed in Chinese famous TV series, WuLinWaiZhuan. And it is the character-Yan Xiaoli’s pet phrase. At the same time, WuLinWaiZhuan is well known by everyone in China. Such translation makes the audience get the same humorous effect using coherence rule.
“我擦”is especially popular in recent network modal in China. This kind of translation will draw many young people’s attention to win their favor and people will understand the sentence as soon as possible.
3. Analysis in Light of Fidelity Rule
Fidelity Rule requires the relationship between the target language and the source language. In other word, be faithful to the source language, but its degree and form relies on the purpose and the background of the target language . Fidelity rule stipulates the translators should coordinate the relationship of the actors. Example 8:
Amy: I was very clever. I did it in stages.
At 7 : 00 last night. I called about a problem at
the lab and casually mentioned I was going out
for seafood. At 9:30, I called and told him that
one of my scallops tasted weird. At 11:30, I
called and said I was throwing up like a fire
hose.
艾米：我很聪明，我一步一步铺好限。
昨晚7点，我打电话给他跟他说实验室的问题，
然后不经意的提到我打算出去吃海鲜。9点半，
我打去告诉他，我其中一个扇贝吃起来怪怪的。
11点半，我打电话过去跟他说我吐得天昏地
暗。
The end of this sentence “throwing up like a fire hose”directly translated. Although being literally faithful to follow fidelity rule is not a bad idea, the audiences from China and other countries will think it is just an amusing metaphors. However, translated as "vomited incredibly hard" was able to better understand the extent of Amy’s vomit. Seemingly, the translation is not conform to the source text, but the translation is just right up to the communicative purpose, which can emphasize the humor and make the audience laugh.
Ⅴ. Conclusion
This paper introduces a case study of the translation of the humorous language in the well-know American sitcom the Big Bang Theory in light of Skopostheorie.
Humor plays an important part in people’s life. Humor can adjust people’s boring life and relax people. That is to say, humor has the power to make people laugh from heart. In a particular context, it criticizes and discloses the absurdity and irrationality in real life thorough rhetorical devices, such as allusiveness, satire and pun etc. Humor stimulates people to think and produce significant effects through the medium of language in a comfy and witty tone.
Under the guidance of skopos theory, the connotation of the director, the audience's expectation, the characteristics of the humor translation of sitcoms determine how to translation. The translator can translate the target text from the three purposes in order to make the requirements easily. Generally speaking, the Skopostheorie makes the translation more easily. In this paper, the author also explained clearly and effectively.
The contribution of the author of this thesis can be generalized in the following three points. At first, the author introduces the definition and classification of humor, this paper describes the introduction of Skopostheorie, the three rules of
Skopostheorie and their relationship in brief. Secondly, this paper describes the translation in the Big Bang Theory from linguistics, culture and universalism. Besides, the author analyzes the three aspects and some examples displayed in the Big Bang Theory. At last, this paper also analyzes the translation of the Big Bang Theory as a case study in light of Skopotheorie especially from Skopos rule, coherence rule, fidelity rule. What’s more, this paper gives some humorous dialogues to support the three key rules. However, the author of this thesis also has imperfect analysis in the Big Bang Theory and the paper has its defects. It dosen’t study throughly.
Works Cited
Crawford, Mary. Gender Humor in Social Comext[M]. Journal of Pragmatics, 2003. Katia Spanakaki. Translating humor for subtitling[M]. 2007.
Lyons, John. Linguistic Semantics: An Introduction. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000.
Nord, Cristiane. Translation as a Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Approaches Ex-plained [M]. Shanghai Foreign Languages and Education Press, 2001.
董海雅. 情景喜剧的幽默翻译研究[M]. 上海:上海外语教育出版社，2011.
李运兴. 字幕翻译的策略[J]. 中国翻译，2009, (04):11-13.
刘宓庆. 文化语境与语言翻译北京[M]. 中国对外翻译出版公司，1998.
麻争旗. 影视译制概论[Z]. 北京：中国传媒大学出版社，2005.
宿荣江. 文化与翻译[Z]. 中国社会出版社，2009.
张光明. 英汉互译思维概论[M]. 北京：外语教学与研究出版社，2002.