A Study Of Humor Translation In Sitcom Miranda Under Skopos Theory

Sitcom Miranda,focusing on daily life as the storyline,shaping characters through humorous dialogues and abundant body languages,is vastly praised and has won itself Best New Comedy and Royal Television Society Award.In this sitcom,there are various humor expressions and nonverbal humor and complex humor are typically distinct which necessitate the related study.Studies concerning humor translation in sitcom,however,are scarce not to mention studies concentrating on nonverbal humor.Translation activity,from the perspective of Skopos Theory,is purpose-oriented and the main purpose in sitcom humor translation is to convey humor to target audiences.In this light,this thesis sets to investigate humor translation with its gain and loss,under the guidance of Skopos Theory.Based on the humor classification proposed by Dong Haiya,this thesis classifies humor into verbal humor,visual nonverbal humor,visual verbal humor,audio nonverbal humor and complex humor.Through comprehensive analysis,this thesis examines various translation methods in these humor classifications,thus further evaluating the feasibility of sitcom humor translation.After analysis,this thesis suggests translation methods such as free translation,literal translation,domestication,foreignization,annotation are employed which to some extent have reached the purpose of conveying.Also,in visual nonverbal humor and audio nonverbal humor,“non-translation” occurs which does not hinder people from appreciating humor.Therefore,this thesis provides implications that the abovementioned translation methods can convey humor whereas target audiences' cultural backgrounds knowledge and humor perception can be regarded as of significant importance in humor appreciation.