Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The Background of the Thesis-1

1.2 The Significance of the Thesis-1

1.3 The Structure of the Thesis-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 An Introduction to Verbal Humor-3

2.2 Previous Studies on the Translation of Verbal Humor-3

2.3 An Introduction to Relevance Theory-4

Chapter Three The Relevance-theoretic Account of Verbal Humor Translation in Modern Family-6

3.1 An Introduction to Modern Family-6

3.2 The Translation of Different Types of Verbal Humor Based on Relevance Theory-6

3.2.1 Cultural Humor-6

3.2.2 Linguistic Humor-8

3.2.3 Universal humor-9

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

References-12

Abstract

Verbal humor can be seen everywhere in people’s daily life, which is an important means of relieving interpersonal relationships. Western sitcoms win a large number of followers for their ingenious humor, close-to-life story and rich social culture. Humor translation has become a difficult problem because of the differences between Chinese and American culture.

From the perspective of Relevance Theory, this paper explores the specific translation process of verbal humor by studying the cases of verbal humor translation in Modern Family. Relevance theory holds that translation is a communicative activity of ostensive-inferential process: the translator should infer the author’s true intention and implied information and transmit it to the target reader. Verbal humor is classified into cultural humor, linguistic humor and universal humor. This thesis analyzes the translation of different kinds of verbal humor by the principle of ostensive-inferential process and optimal relevance under the guidance of Relevance Theory. Translators take appropriate methods to achieve optimal relevance in different types of humor in order to ensure the readers of target language feel the humor of the source language.

Keywords: verbal humor  Relevance Theory  cultural humor  linguistic humor  universal humor