Abstract:There exist a lot of cultural and linguistic barriers and difficulties in humor translation, hence causing the problem of understanding humor, and this study aims to find an appropriate way to translate Chinese and English humor through a case study of Fortress Besieged. In the body of the thesis, the author illustrates C-E humor translation from the aspects of the use of rhetorical devices, and proposes that three translating principles can be employed. According to these three basic principles, foreignization is suggested to be used as a primary strategy in humor translation, and domestication as a complementary strategy. After analyzing the English version of Fortress Besieged, we conclude that the choice of translating methods is determined by the intention of the translation, as well as the comprehension ability of target readers. Foreignization and domestication are not absolutely contradictory, and they are dialectically unified. Only the combination of them can make humor translated and conveyed effectively. 

 Key words: humor translation; translation strategy; foreignization; domestication

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Humor and Translation.1

2.1 Definition and Function of Humor

2.2 Culture Perspective of Translation

  2.3 Similarities and Differences Between Chinese and English Humors

     2.3.1 Similarities Between Chinese and English Humor

     2.3.2 Differences Between Chinese and English Humor

2.4 Translatability and Untranslatability of Verbal Humors

3.Principles and Strategies Of Verbal Humor Translation7

3.1 Three Principles of C-E Translation of Humor

3.2 Strategies for C-E Translation of Humor

4. A Case Study of Fortress Besieged..10

4.1 A Brief Introduction of Fortress Besieged

4.2 Humors Expressed Through Rhetorical Devices in Fortress Besieged

5. Conclusion12

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgements14