The present thesis involves a theoretical and practical examination of the translation of humor. The study provides a knowledge base that includes diverse types of humor and jokes, cultural reference translation approaches, and a brief introduction to dubbing. This theoretical component is represented in the analysis of selected animated movies, in which some fragments from the original version are contrasted to portions that have previously been translated and dubbed into Albanian. This research demonstrates the many approaches used by the translator during the procedure as well as the potential issues that may arise. This project demonstrates that language and cultural mixing between two countries is difficult.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1.1 Objectives, Reasons for working on this topic
1.2 Research Questions
1.3 Problem statement
1.4 Purpose of the study
Chapter 1. Humor, Definitions and Theories
1.1 Humor
1.1.1 Different Definitions of Humor
1.2 Linguistic Theories of Humor
1.2.1 Salvatore Attardo’s Theories of Humor Translation
1.2.2 Jeroen Vandaele’s Humor in Translation
1.2.3 Eugene Nida’s Formal and Dynamic Equivalence
Chapter 2. Audiovisual Translation and Challenges
2.1 Humor in animated movies
2.2 Translation for Children
2.3 Audiovisual Translation
2.3.1 Types of Audiovisual Translation
2.4 Challenges in Translating Humor
2.4.1 Cultural References
2.4.2 Verbal and Referential Humor
2.4.2.1 Verbal Humor
2.4.2.2 Puns and Allusions
2.4.3 Graphic Elements
Chapter 3. Analysis of the animated movies
3.1. Shrek Background
3.2. Humour Translation Problems
3.3. Madagascar Background
3.4. Humour Translation Problems
3.5. Megamind Background
3.6. Humour Translation Problems
Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This study aims to examine the complexities of translating humor in animated movies, focusing on how linguistic and cultural elements are preserved or adapted during the dubbing process into Albanian. The research seeks to identify effective strategies for overcoming challenges inherent in cross-cultural humor transfer.
- The role of cultural and social references in humor translation.
- Challenges in translating verbal humor, wordplay, and puns.
- The application of translation theories (e.g., Skopos theory, GTVH) in an audiovisual context.
- The impact of dynamic versus formal equivalence in maintaining humorous effects.
- Comparative analysis of original English humor and its Albanian dubbed counterparts.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4.3. Graphic Elements
This occurrence is a clear example of how intertextual humor can be created through graphic language on the screen. For example, in Megamind, the use of an ideological allusion triggers humor when its main character makes reference to Obama’s 2008 campaign poster “Yes, we can” turned into “No, you can’t”. This negative form of the popular slogan appears under a picture of Megamind (the main character), which also imitates the black and blue picture Obama had taken for his campaign. The final effect is a parody, which shows this animated feature film’s character’s evil attitudes. Unfortunately, this joke was not translated into Albanian through an off-voice or subtitle. But despite this, the audience will probably remember this slogan because these campaigns are featured on Albanian news. For context, while the scene was being filmed, Obama won the elections for US President. It was considered humorous to imitate the publicity used for his campaign, and so it was used for advertising the film in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the study's scope, objectives, and research questions regarding humor translation in animated films.
Chapter 1. Humor, Definitions and Theories: Provides a theoretical foundation covering humor definitions and linguistic theories relevant to translation studies.
Chapter 2. Audiovisual Translation and Challenges: Explores the specifics of audiovisual translation, particularly the difficulties posed by cultural nuances and verbal humor.
Chapter 3. Analysis of the animated movies: Applies the previously discussed theories to specific scenes from Shrek, Madagascar, and Megamind to analyze translation efficacy.
Keywords
Humor translation, Audiovisual Translation, Animated movies, Albania, Dubbing, Verbal humor, Cultural references, Puns, Wordplay, Skopos theory, Dynamic equivalence, Linguistic theories, Subtitling, Intertextual humor, Translation strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The research examines the challenges and strategies involved in translating humor within children's animated movies, specifically analyzing the transfer from English to Albanian.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The paper discusses humor theories, the nature of audiovisual translation, the difficulty of translating culture-specific references, and the linguistic complexities of wordplay and puns.
What is the main research question?
The study investigates the extent to which linguistic humor is preserved in the target language (Albanian) and whether translators lean toward preserving the comedic effect or omitting it due to translation difficulties.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The research employs a qualitative analysis, comparing original English dialogue from three animated films with their dubbed counterparts in Albanian, evaluated against established humor translation theories.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body analyzes theoretical frameworks (e.g., GTVH, Nida’s Equivalence, Vandaele) and applies them to practical examples found in Shrek, Madagascar, and Megamind.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include humor translation, audiovisual translation, cultural references, dynamic equivalence, and wordplay.
How is the specific case of "Shrek" analyzed?
The study highlights how the translator navigated dialectal differences and cultural jokes, often using dynamic equivalence to maintain the humorous effect when literal translations failed.
What does the author conclude regarding "Megamind"?
The author assesses the translation of recurring gags and mispronounced words, concluding that success depends on creating an equivalent effect that resonates with the target audience.
Are puns and allusions treated differently?
Yes, the thesis categorizes various types of puns (homonymy, homophony, etc.) and analyzes specific translation techniques like omission or replacement to address the difficulty of translating wordplay.
- Citar trabajo
- Danira Mushani (Autor), 2022, Translation of Humor in Animated Movies. Audiovisual Translation, Challenges and Analysis of the Animated Movies, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1361233
