Cultural Adaptation of Humor in English Translations: Cognitive and Pragmatic Approaches

Abstract

Translating humor poses unique challenges due to its deep cultural roots and reliance on linguistic nuances, making it one of the most complex areas of translation studies. This article explores the cultural adaptation of humor in English translations, focusing on cognitive and pragmatic approaches. The cognitive perspective examines how translators navigate mental processes such as conceptual blending and frame-shifting to recreate humorous effects in target languages. Meanwhile, the pragmatic approach considers the contextual and situational factors that influence humor, including speech acts, cultural implicates, and social norms. By analyzing the intersection of these approaches, this article highlights strategies used to preserve the intent and effect of humor across cultural boundaries, emphasizing the importance of cultural competence and contextual awareness in successful humor translation. Through case studies and examples, the article demonstrates how translation techniques such as substitution, paraphrasing, and adaptation can bridge cultural gaps while maintaining the essence of the original humor.