Neda-Maria Panayotova
South-West University “Neofit Rilski”
https://doi.org/10.53656/for2024-04-08
Absract. The article examines some linguo-cultural aspects in the translation of comedy series, focusing on two English series created between 1977 and 1992 – “Mind Your Language” (1977), “‘Allo, ‘Allo” (1982 – 1992), and the American show “The Nanny” (1993). The difficulties in translating linguistic features, deviances in the characters’ speech, the challenges in translating the cultural code as a whole, and their relevance to ensuring the success of communication, are examined. The article also focuses on the figure of the foreigner, common to the three series, and
on the translation of cultural notes and stereotypes as a test for the translator, who
must recreate not only linguistic differences, but also the distinctive features of
individual cultures and ethnicities, without abandoning his cultural code. The effect
of this clash does not affirm the humiliating attitude towards a certain ethnicity or
culture, and the humor shows a desire to overcome stereotypes, expressing that the
differences between us as people are not that many.
Keywords: comedy shows; linguocultural; translation; stereotypes, deviance