ABSTRACT

Pun is one of the oldest figures of speech, which is used widely in languages. Pun has some pragmatic functions in the specific context: humor, satire, creating artistic and profound conceptions. Achievements of various fields of pragmatics can provide the translation with scientific and micro pragmatic analysis methods and it is very necessary for translators to learn the knowledge of pragmatic translation when studying the translation. My paper focuses on the pragmatic functions of puns and introduces some pragmatic translation strategies for puns. Through reviewing literature and citing examples, this paper aims to explore the most appropriate pragmatic translation strategies, which can make the translation more vivid and accurate. It is hoped that this paper will inform translators of the cultural differences between English and Chinese, and expand translators’ knowledge so that they can make an innovation in translation.

Key words: Pun; Pragmatic Functions; Translation Strategies

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-3

   2.1 Definition of Pun-3

   2.2 Categories of Pun-3

       2.2.1 Homophonic pun-4

      2.2.2 Homonymic pun-4

      2.2.3 Homographic pun-4

   2.3 Theories and Corresponding Studies on Pun Translation-5

      2.3.1 Adaptation theory-5

      2.3.2 Teleology-5

      2.3.4 Relevance theory-6

   2.4 Delabastita’s Study-7

Chapter Three  PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS OF PUN-8

   3.1 Definition of Pragmatics-8

   3.2 Pragmatic Functions of Pun- 8

      3.2.1 Humor and satire function-8

      3.2.2 Association function-9

      3.2.3 Euphemistic function-10

      3.2.4 Out-of-dilemma function-11

Chapter Four  STRATEGIES FOR PRAGMATIC TRANSLATION OF PUN-13

   4.1 Relation Between Pragmatics and Translation-13

   4.2 The Necessity of Introducing Pragmatic Translation Strategies to Translation -13

   4.3 Strategies for Pragmatic Translation of Pun-14

      4.3.1 Literal translation-14    

      4.3.2 Using similar words-15

      4.3.3 Adding the context-17

      4.3.4 Adding the notes-18

Chapter Five  CONCLUSION-19

REFERENCES-21