Translating a text into another language is a process mostly known in the area of literature. At the same time (even though often disregarded in this connection), translation is a central part of filmmaking. Since the emergence of sound films in the 1930s, screen translation (that is, subtitling, dubbing and voice-over) has become a tradition in Europe. In Germany, dubbing has been the universalized means of defying language barriers in the field of movie and television ever since. However, it is commonly believed that translated movies and television series lack certain features as compared to their original. Disapproval of dubbed movies and television shows has become quite frequent in Germany, not necessarily among linguists and/or multilingual people exclusively. In the case of dubbed sitcoms which originate in the United States, it is safe to say that the German audience repeatedly stumbles upon scenes that are entirely incomprehensible and, even more perplexing, end in the laugh track which is typically inserted in US situation comedies. Clearly, the source text contains a joke that has been lost in translation. But what are the reasons for such ineffective adaptations? Is it the fact that the original jokes include a culturespecific term that is only understandable in the source language or is simply the translators’ carelessness to blame? Research in media, humor and translation studies reveals that wordplays2 are a universal phenomenon which is generally considered untranslatable.
In this paper, I argue that the German dubbed versions of US American sitcoms lose a great deal of their humor since language jokes, particularly puns, are rarely successfully translated. The dubbed versions include a remarkably large number of literal translations and even direct copies of English words which not only are no longer funny, but are also incomprehensible in the target language. Unfortunately, it seems to be the case that no research on English puns and their German dubbed translations has been conducted to date. Therefore, I will examine how English puns are adapted in the corresponding German translations. For this study, I will analyze the popular US television series How I Met Your Mother, which ran in the United States from 2005 to 2014 and is well-known for its jokes and frequent use of puns.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Contrasting English Puns and Their German Translations
- 2.1 Previous Studies on Pun Translation in Dubbed Television
- 2.2 Defining Puns
- 2.3 Classification of Puns
- 2.4 Translation of Puns
- 2.4.1 Problems Involved in Pun Translation
- 2.4.2 Humor Translation
- 2.4.3 A Note on Television Translation
- 3 Puns Lost in Translation: A Case Study of the Puns in How I Met Your Mother
- 3.1 Material
- 3.2 Method
- 3.3 Results
- 3.3.1 Linguistic Classification
- 3.3.2 Translation Modes
- 3.3.3 Successful Pun Translations
- 3.3.4 Unsuccessful Pun Translations
- 3.4 Discussion
- 4 Conclusion
- 5 Bibliography
- 5.1 Corpora
- 5.2 Secondary literature
- 5.3 Electronic Resources
- 6 Appendix
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to analyze the challenges and strategies involved in translating English puns into German within the context of dubbed television shows. It specifically examines the translation of puns in the popular sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." The research compares the original English puns with their German counterparts, classifying the puns and analyzing the translation techniques employed.
- Challenges in translating puns across languages
- Classification of different types of puns
- Translation strategies and their effectiveness
- Analysis of successful and unsuccessful pun translations in "How I Met Your Mother"
- The role of cultural context in humor translation
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of pun translation, highlighting the difficulties inherent in conveying wordplay across languages. It sets the stage for the subsequent chapters by outlining the study's objectives and methodology. The chapter frames the importance of understanding the nuances of pun translation, specifically in the context of dubbed television, which necessitates balancing linguistic accuracy with maintaining the comedic effect.
2 Contrasting English Puns and Their German Translations: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation for the study. It reviews previous research on pun translation in dubbed television, offering a clear definition of puns and presenting a comprehensive classification system for categorizing various types of puns. It delves into the complexities of translating puns, exploring the challenges posed by linguistic differences and the importance of considering the target audience's cultural background. The chapter also discusses general humor translation strategies and the specific considerations related to translating humor in televised media, setting the groundwork for the empirical analysis to follow. This chapter emphasizes the multifaceted nature of pun translation, moving beyond a simplistic view of direct substitution to explore the need for creative adaptation to maintain the intended comedic impact.
3 Puns Lost in Translation: A Case Study of the Puns in How I Met Your Mother: This chapter presents a detailed case study analyzing puns from the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." It outlines the data collection process, specifying the source material and the methodological approach used to analyze the puns and their translations. The results section presents a linguistic classification of the puns, categorizes the translation strategies employed, and discusses instances of both successful and unsuccessful translations. This detailed analysis allows for a comprehensive understanding of how different translation techniques impact the outcome and the effectiveness of conveying the original pun's comedic impact in the target language.
Keywords
Pun translation, humor translation, television translation, German, English, How I Met Your Mother, wordplay, linguistic analysis, cultural context, translation strategies, dubbing.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of English Puns and Their German Translations in "How I Met Your Mother"
What is the main topic of this study?
This study analyzes the challenges and strategies involved in translating English puns into German, specifically within the context of dubbed television shows, using the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" as a case study.
What are the key objectives of this research?
The research aims to examine the translation of puns in "How I Met Your Mother," comparing original English puns with their German counterparts. It classifies the puns, analyzes the translation techniques used, and explores the effectiveness of these techniques in preserving the intended humor.
What aspects of pun translation are investigated?
The study investigates the challenges in translating puns across languages, different types of puns and their classification, various translation strategies and their effectiveness, successful and unsuccessful pun translations in "How I Met Your Mother," and the role of cultural context in humor translation.
How is the study structured?
The study includes an introduction, a chapter reviewing previous research and providing a theoretical framework for pun translation, a detailed case study analyzing puns from "How I Met Your Mother," and a conclusion. A table of contents, chapter summaries, objectives and key themes, and keywords are also provided.
What methodology is used in the case study?
The case study analyzes puns from "How I Met Your Mother," outlining the data collection process (source material and methodology), presenting a linguistic classification of the puns, categorizing the translation strategies employed, and discussing both successful and unsuccessful translations. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of how translation techniques impact the conveyance of the original pun's comedic effect.
What types of puns are analyzed?
The study provides a comprehensive classification system for categorizing various types of puns, which are then applied in the analysis of the "How I Met Your Mother" case study. Specific types are not listed in the preview, but the classification system itself is a key part of the research.
What are some key findings (as previewed)?
The preview highlights the complexities of pun translation, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the process and the need for creative adaptation to maintain comedic impact. The case study analyzes successful and unsuccessful translations, revealing insights into effective translation strategies in this specific context.
What is the significance of this research?
The study contributes to the understanding of humor translation, particularly in the challenging domain of pun translation within the context of dubbed television. It offers valuable insights for translators, researchers, and those interested in cross-cultural communication and media studies.
Where can I find more information?
The full study provides a detailed analysis of the data and results, including a complete bibliography of relevant sources.
What are the key words associated with this study?
Key words include: Pun translation, humor translation, television translation, German, English, How I Met Your Mother, wordplay, linguistic analysis, cultural context, translation strategies, dubbing.
- Quote paper
- Julie Dillenkofer (Author), 2017, Puns Lost in Translation. Contrasting English Puns and Their German Translations in the Television Show "How I Met Your Mother", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/375446
