Abstract

Pun is a common rhetorical device in children’s literature, which is often employed not only to create humorous effect, but also to demonstrate the absurd beauty of child language. However, due to the differences in language and culture, the translation of puns in children’s literature is a challenging task. As we all know, children’s language ability is limited. Thus, the version should not only translate the humorous effect of puns but also should be understandable to children. This thesis will just study the pun translation in children’s literature.

First it offers a general introduction to pun and pun translation. Then it collects and classifies data of puns from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as cases to study. On the basis of the theoretical framework of Newmark’s communicative translation, this thesis chooses two different Chinese versions of puns to make a comparative analysis in hope of providing some strategies of pun translation. 

  After an exploration of pun translation in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, some conclusions can be drawn as follows. Firstly, most puns are translatable. The methods of transplanting, transforming and substitution can be applied to translate puns. In some cases, ignoring is also a compromising way for the untranslatable puns. Secondly, based on the communicative translation theory which centers on the readers of target language, it can be concluded that translators need to consider the major target readers when translating puns in children’s literature. The language in translation should conform to the features of child language. In a word, this study will just be helpful for correct understanding and translation of puns in children’s literature.

Key Words:     pun     pun translation     communicative translation children’s literature

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Significance and Purpose of the Research-1

1.2 Introduction to Pun-2

1.2.1 Definition-2

1.2.2 Typology-3

1.2.3 Rhetorical Functions-4

1.3 The Overall Structure-5

Chapter Two Literature Review-6

2.1 Characteristics of Language in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland-6

2.2. Studies on Pun Translation-7

2.2.1 The Translatability of Pun-7

2.2.2 Studies in China-9

2.2.3 Studies Aboard-9

Chapter Three Theoretical Framework-11

3.1 Definition of Communicative Translation Theory-11

3.2 Application of Communicative Translation Theory-12

Chapter Four Classification of Puns and Pun Translation in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland-14

4.1 Classification of Puns-15

4.1.1 Homophonic pun-15

4.1.2 Paronomasia-16

4.1.3 Antalaclasis-17

4.1.4 Sylleptic Pun-18

4.1.5 Asteismus-19

4.1.6 Intertextual pun-19

4.2 Strategies of Pun Translation in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland-20

4.2.1 Transplanting-20

4.2.2 Transforming-22

4.2.3 Substitution-25

4.2.4 Ignoring-26

Chapter Five Conclusions-28

5.1 Major Findings of this Research-28

5.2 Limitations of the Study-29

5.3 Suggestions for Future Studies-29

References-30