Exploring the Functional Manipulation Strategies of Humorous Puns in English Translations of Xiao Lin Guang Ji

Based on Dore’s functional manipulation theory, this paper explores how the three translators, Giles and Zheng Xiaoxian & Yuan Xiaojing, manipulate the text in their translation of Xiao Lin Guang Ji in order to retain the humorous effects of the original text, which lays specifical stress on the translation of humorous puns. By counting the frequency of different translation strategies used, a comparative study is made of the similarities and differences between the two translations. In addition, this paper concludes that translators need to adopt appropriate translation strategies according to contextual and cultural factors because humorous puns convey important cultural messages. This thesis also finds that translators tend to use Compensation because readers can have a better understanding of humorous puns by means of endnotes, footnotes, or parentheses. Transference and Neutralization are also favored by translators, while omission is barely applied. Neither Equivalence nor Substitution occurs in the translation. In general, translators are willing to use Neutralization or Compensation when dealing with homophonic puns, whereas all kinds of strategies may be used when translating homographic puns. This study may shed some light on the translation of humorous puns and provoke thoughts on functional manipulation theory.