Translation Strategies and Techniques in Audiovisual Translation of Humour: Analysis of "Shrek 2" and "Ice Age"

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Theoretical part

1.1. Humour – its definition and classification

1.2. Humour translation

1.2.1. Definition of humour translation

1.2.2. Untranslatability

1.2.3. Shifts of meaning

1.2.4. Humour translation and theory

1.2.5. Translation strategies and techniques in humour translation

1.3. Audiovisual translation

1.3.1. Definition of audiovisual translation

1.3.2. Subtitling

1.3.3. Dubbing

1.3.4. Translation or adaptation

2. Analytical part

2.1. Shrek 2 and Ice Age as humorous films

2.2. Translation techniques and strategies used in Shrek 2 and Ice Age

2.3. Language of film characters creating humorous effect

2.4. Skopos and the choice of translation strategy and technique

Conclusion

Films under discussion

Research Objectives and Key Topics

The primary aim of this thesis is to analyze the translation strategies and techniques applied to humor in dubbing and subtitling, comparing original English film dialogues with their Polish versions in the movies "Shrek 2" and "Ice Age".

• Theoretical analysis of humor, its translation challenges, and specific audiovisual translation methods.
• Examination of translation strategies (domestication vs. foreignization) in the context of humor.
• Comparative analysis of dubbing and subtitling techniques regarding meaning shifts and humor retention.
• Investigation into how character language and register contribute to the humorous effect.
• Application of Skopos theory to evaluate the effectiveness of translation choices in humorous films.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Theoretical part: Provides foundational definitions of humor, discusses the complexities of humor translation and untranslatability, and defines key concepts like translation strategies, audiovisual translation, and Skopos theory.

2. Analytical part: Conducts a detailed comparison of the Polish dubbed and subtitled versions of "Shrek 2" and "Ice Age", focusing on the application of domestication and foreignization to maintain humor.

Keywords

Audiovisual translation, humor translation, dubbing, subtitling, Shrek 2, Ice Age, domestication, foreignization, translation strategies, translation techniques, humor, Skopos theory, meaning shifts, cultural allusion, film dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research focuses on the challenges and strategies involved in translating humor within audiovisual products, specifically examining the dubbing and subtitling of the animated films "Shrek 2" and "Ice Age" into Polish.

What are the primary themes discussed?

The key themes include the nature of humor, translation strategies (domestication vs. foreignization), the technical constraints of dubbing and subtitling, and the impact of these factors on maintaining humor in the target language.

What is the main objective or research question?

The primary goal is to analyze which translation strategies and techniques are most effective for preserving humorous effects in Polish dubbing and subtitling when faced with linguistic and cultural barriers.

Which scientific methods are utilized?

The work employs a comparative methodology, systematically contrasting source English dialogues with their Polish dubbed and subtitled equivalents, using established translation theories to interpret the results.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The main body investigates specific dialogue examples, analyzing shifts in meaning, character language, and register, and evaluates the consistency and success of the translators' choices based on Skopos theory.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Key terms include audiovisual translation, humor translation, dubbing, subtitling, domestication, foreignization, and translation techniques.

How do dubbing and subtitling differ in their approach to humor?

The research finds that dubbing tends to favor domestication and more colloquial language to achieve naturalness and humor, whereas subtitling often leans toward foreignization, though it also encounters stricter technical constraints.

Why is "Shrek 2" particularly challenging for translators?

It is rich in culture-specific allusions (such as references to American TV, institutions, and pop culture) which are often unrecognizable to the target audience, necessitating significant translation adjustments to retain the humor.