The Translatability of British Jokes into Azerbaijani

Abstract

This thesis investigates the translatability of British jokes into Azerbaijani and the challenges that arise in the process. The purpose of the research is to provide insights into the complexities of translating jokes from one language to another and to offer translation strategies and techniques for successful joke translation. To achieve this goal, a systematic comparison was made between a sample of British jokes and their Azerbaijani translations. The study found that not all British jokes can be easily translated into Azerbaijani due to the complexities of jokes, which often rely on wordplay and other nuances that may not have direct equivalents in another language. Moreover, the study found that translators often struggle with translating jokes due to several reasons, including the lack of familiarity with the extralinguistic features of the source or target languages, a lack of understanding of the humour itself, and the difficulty in finding an equivalent in the target language. In response to these challenges, the study proposes three translation methods for successful joke translation: compensation, literal translation, and signalling. The compensation method, which allows for creative and imaginative adaptation and preservation of the humour and context of the original joke, is deemed the most effective method for translating jokes. This method is divided into four sub-methods: adaptation, paraphrasing, footnote/endnote, and 'equivalent effect' translation. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the translatability of British jokes into Azerbaijani and offers practical translation strategies and techniques for successful joke translation.