以《生活大爆炸》为例研究英语语言中的幽默和修辞机制

南京理工大学毕业论文作者: 曹育学号：1101510107 学院(系): 外语系专业: 英语题目:以《生活大爆炸》为例研究英语语言中的幽默和修辞机制指导者：陈莲洁评阅者：2015年1月毕业论文中文摘要幽默是英语中的重要组成部分，幽默反映英语文化和文化价值以及现实等，只有真正理解英语中的幽默才能更有效的掌握英语。

同时幽默的表现形式多种多样，如双关、隐喻、夸张等修辞手法。

这些年，随着中国与世界的接轨，美剧越来越受欢迎，对于英语学习者而言，英语中的幽默和修辞是一个较为困难的学习部分，尤其在从事翻译和口译工作中，如果不能正确的理解别人的幽默和修辞，可能会导致结果大相近庭。

所以理解和掌握语言中的幽默尤为重要。

本文以热门美剧《生活大爆炸》为例，分析英语中的高层次沟通技巧并对英语幽默中的翻译进行探讨。

关键词幽默修辞沟通翻译毕业论文外文摘要Title A research for the system of the humor and rhetoric in English – The big bang theory as a case in pointAbstractHumor is of vital importance part in English, the reason why we need truly understand the humor in English is due to the fact that humor reveals the british culture ,values and reality. At present time ,there are several ways to express humor , such as Pun, metaphor, hyperbole and etc. with the rapid development of global economy, the American serials are getting popular among Chinese , however , it might frustrating sometimes for us to understand the humor in TV programmes , especially to those who Humor and rhetoric in English is a difficult part of learning, especially in translation and interpretation work, if we cannot have the correct understanding of others' humor and rhetoric, it may cause the embarrassing results . as a result, it is paramount to understand and master humor in English . this paper will use the popular TV drama "the big bang theory" as a case in point so as to analyze high-level communication skills in English and discusses some translation skills of English humor.Keywords：Humor Rhetoric Communication TranslationTable of Contents中文摘要 (2)Abstract (3)Chapter oneIntroductory Remarks1.1Research back ground (5)1.2Previous study (5)1.3Purpose& significance of the study (6)1.4The method of this thesis (6)Chapter TwoLiterature Review2.1 The research history of humor (7)2.2 The history of humor translation (8)Chapter ThreeExamples to analyze to way to create humor3.1 brief introduction (9)Examples (10)3.3 different ways of translation (13)3.4 Several strategies (16)3.5 Conclusion (18)Chapter Four Acknowledgement (18)Chapter Five Bibliography (20)1 Introduction1.1 BackgroundHumor is a kind of art of words. It is consciously actively use of language. The use of language depends on context, to understand the English humor, literal meaning alone is not enough, to properly combined with the context to understand the lines. Any kind of language must follow certain principles. The use of the English language is also under certain rules to convey the special conversational implication, which may lead to a sense of humor.Cross-cultural communication is communication between people with different cultural backgrounds, the session is between people with different nationalities, the need to overcome the mother tongue of preconceptions, communication habits and way of thinking can be developed smoothly. Humorous language change, more difficult to grasp. If the session one party USES the humorous language, it will no doubt bring a lot of obstacles to communication. As a result, a native Chinese speaker, correct understanding and experience in English humor huge push for successful cross-cultural communication.1.2 The previous studyResearches on English humor(1) Grice's "cooperative principle"Grice's "cooperative principle" was proposed by the famous American linguistic philosopher Grice in 1967 during a speech at Harvard University. Grice believed that in the process of human communication, dialogue, both sides in inadvertently seem to follow a certain principle in order to effectively cooperate to complete the communicative tasks.Thus, Grice (H.P.G rice) put forward "Cooperative Principle" (Cooperative Principle CP). Grice believes in language communication, the speakers so as to achieve a specific purpose will follow a set of principles in the process ofconversation, which is so-called the cooperative principle.Only the speakers both sides abide by the principles of cooperation, can achieve the communicative purpose effectively. On the other hand, if one or both violated these principles in communication, such as the rules of quantity, quality, guidelines, the principle of correlation, it can lead to the generation of humor. In the meanwhile, even if talks both sides adhere to the principle of cooperation, it can also be possible to produce a humorous effect in the a specific context.(2) Sperber and Wilson's relevance theoryProfessor Sperber and Wilson have devoted their whole lives to the researches of verbal humor in English jokes, particularly in its mechanism and understanding process .During that time, they corrected Grice's theory from the perspective of cognitive and put forward that language communication is a cognitive process, which must depend on critical thinking. Consequently, they created the new concept of humor with relevance principles with the hope to explain various kinds of pragmatic phenomena in daily communication.It is a beneficial endeavor to make humor become a rigorous system of the language of science instead of general and arbitrariness. However, the existing main problems in Relevance theory are that it tends to insufficient and ideal while ignoring the differences among different people.1.3 SignificanceWith the globalization and the rapid development of Internet technology, the world has gradually become a village. Naturally, it is more important to achieve an overall understanding of English humor in multi-cultural communication, but there are few articles to analyze the humor. It is paramount to understand its humor in translation and interpretation work.1.4 organization of this studyIn this article, first of all, we have a preliminary understanding of English humormechanism based on Grice's cooperative principle, and then we through examples show the most popular humor dialogues in the big bang theory to test the reliability of the cooperative principle, at the same time, we will put forward some views on translation according to the present translation under the different theories of translation.2. Literature review2.1 History of humor creationsThe commonly used expression of English humorThere is a long history in the English language and literature of English humor research, after abundant debates and controversies ,it gradually formed the following several methods to produce humor.（1）. Concept replacementUsually, people require the stability of concepts during communication, in another words, it means that what the two sides talking about should be the same thing. So what is concept replacement, it is a way to steal concepts using different understandings of the same concepts to achieve the humorous effects. the more outrageous and hidden of the concept, the greater the difference it will make, the humorous effect will be more intense. The concept replacement is divided into general grammatical concepts stealing and semantic concept stealing.（2）. Topic diversionChanging the subject, it is a way to avoid the priorities in counterpart’s talking, this kind of speech is not fluent all the time under you intentionally mislead, so it often can produce a humorous effect. Especially when the speakers are seriously and sincerely looking forward to answer the question, you are avoiding the direct answer. At that time, the effect is most obvious.（3）. Comic definitionThe nature of funny definition is manipulating types of thinking and sharplanguages to describe the essence of things in wisdom. Humor of this sort often make people laugh while thought provoking .Undoubtedly, people often admire this penetrating and classic definitions（4）. Quick witsSometimes, when facing embarrassing or insulting questions, people are always tend to be eager to find the answer according to normal thinking habits directly without losing face. Resultantly, here comes the quick wit, wise people like using quick wit to meet tough situations with rapid response.（5）. ExaggerationLiterally, it means emphasizing or comic effect to express strong feelings on the foundation of objective facts. When consciously using exaggerated words with rich imagination, we may deliberately exaggerate or minimize some aspects of matters. It is not amount to the truth or ignoring truth, but by exaggerating, the essence things will be better reflected.2.2 Introduction of popular Translation Theories2.2.1 Nida,( Eugene Nida)) functional equivalence theor yNida was a student of several famous master the language structuralism masters, whom self is also a prestigious linguists, a former chairman of the linguistic society of America. The core concept of Nida's theory is "functional equivalence". What is the So-called "functional equivalence"? That is to say we don’t translate the words on the surface rigidly while achieve functional equivalence between two languages. The main duty is depriving from the originate meaning of the work until a non-native speakers can understand the meaning.2.2.2 Carter ford (John Cat ford) Systemic Translation TheoryWhen Carter ford (John Cat ford) published 《A Linguistic and found ofTranslation》to explore some new ways for Translation Theory research in 1965, it really made huge waves . Carter ford said its theory as descriptive translation theory. He supposed that translation is changing one language written material (primitive) into another language equivalently. It can be divided into full translation and partial translation while literal translation is in the middle of both. At the same time, we need to pay attention to the translation equivalence based on experience. In the process of translation, we must be faithful to the original material as possible as we can, which means too much alienation is absolutely not acceptable.3.1 The brief introduction of the big bang theoryThe Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show. It premiered on CBS on September 24, 2007.Set in Pasadena, California, the show is about two Caltech prodigies in their 20s, one an experimental physicist (Leonard Hofstadter) and the other a theoretical physicist (Sheldon Cooper), who live across the hall from an attractive blonde waitress with show-biz aspirations (Penny). Leonard and Sheldon's 'geekiness' and sheer intellect are contrasted for comic effect with Penny's social skills and common sense. Two equally geeky friends of theirs, Howard and Rajesh, are also main characters.Howard Wolowitz is a Jewish engineer with master degree, who is able to hang out with sexy girls in six languages and also in charge of the Mars exploration program in the United States. Rajesh Koothrappali , a man from India who is suffering from serious disorder with female, he is unable to speak with the presence of girls unless after drinking.3.2Using cases to testify that violations of grice cooperative principle will produce humorGrice argues if we violate the quantity standards, quality standards, relevance standards, criterion standards of the cooperative principle can lead to the generation ofhumor.(1) The violation of quantity standards.Quantity standards require that sufficient words are necessary to meet the need y information in communication, but we found that due to insufficient information of the speaker, the listener can't understand very well. It means that the speakers in the conversation should provide adequate but not excessive information. That is to say, you should not say too much or too less. Naturally, when the speaker failed to provide the expected information, it will lead to the generation of humor. So there are two circumstances, with excessive or insufficient information, it may results in the humor.Examples1) Sheldon：In a few minutes, when I gloat over the failure of this enterprise, how would you prefer I do it? The standard "I told you so" with a classic "neener-neener"? Or just my normal look of haughty derision?It means that in a few minutes later, when I am gloating your failure to dating, what would you prefer me to do? You want my standard answer, "I told you so"? Or a classic "oh oh also"? Or with my usual arrogant mocking look?In this passage, Sheldon have supplied all possible choices , namely ,providing excessive information . with his acute eyes and expression, the whole scene is exceptionally interesting.2)Leonard：What ore you talking about?Sheldon：Einstein．Leonard：Yeah，，I’m going to need a little more．Sheldon：Albert Einstein．In this part, Sheldon meets difficulties in his research ,so he need some help, the scientist Einstein occurred to him, so he just give a brief answer to Leonard ,although without adequate information ,we can also easily understand what the whole conversation means.3) Leonard: I should probably give you a heads up about his mother.Penny: What about her?Leonard: She’s a delightful woman. You’ll love her.At this time, penny was prepared to go Howard’s house to make an apology by inviting him to participate the robot game, Leonard give penny some ―friendly‖tips that the mother of Howard is very easy going, but in fact, he knows that, Howard’s mother is annoying and repelling. As a result, when penny paid Howard a visit, she was not a little astonished.(2) The violation of quality standards.When the speaker says some fake words without sufficient evidence, he would violate the qualitative criteria. When breaking these rules, we may lose honesty, but sometimes may generate good humor. Sometimes the speaker to achieve a particular consequence, we can put forward some distorting information usually by hyperbole, irony, personification, metaphor.1)Say some forgery wordsExampleGirl: What you gonna get, Raj?Raj: With my luck - Hepatitis!In this part , a girl asked what raj want ,however what he want is getting a hepatitis, obviously, what normal people want, of course, must be a very good things, and Raj said, want a hepatitis is obviously fake. it were dialogues like this make the whole TV drama funny.2. Say something without evidencesExamples1) Leonard, when that woman version in three years and I told you not to talk to her, and now look, we 'r e going to be newest for the movies.In this scene, a man told the reason why they were late for the film is due to the fact that Leonard talked to that girl moved in three years ago. Apparently, this two things have no connection, in another words, what the man suggest cannot hold water.2) Sheldon: His name isn’t Toby. Toby is an absurd name for a cricket.Raj: I order you name question?Sheldon: The appropriate cricket name. For example, Jimmy.In this episode, Raj and Sheldon caught a cricket arduously, Raj named the cricket Toby, but Sheldon think this name is inappropriate, too absurd, so he maintain that it should be called Jimmy, but why Jimmy is appropriate, he can't find a reason to prove his idea. Therefore, Sheldon’s personality is very funny, humor was arisen spontaneously.3)Violation of the correlation rulesOn the basis of the principle of correlation rule, the speaker's content should say something related to the topic. However, sometimes, people want to avoid embarrassment and express their views gently, they will violate the correlation rules deliberately, it will cause humorous effects.This rule requires the speaker should put forward views in accordance with the topic. As a result, if the speaker give a unrelated answer to questions. It seems strange, But, you need read between lines to reveal the hidden truth.ExamplesSheldon: So if a photon is directed through a plane, with two slits in it and either slitis observed, it will not go through both slits. If it’s unobserved, it will. However, if it’s observed after it’s left the plane, But before it hits its target, it won’t have gone through both slits.)Lenard:Agreed, What’s your po int?Sheldon:There’s no point, I just think it’s a good idea for a t-shirt.This was a formal physical discussion at the very beginning, however, Sheldon answered that it was a good idea of T-shirt. It can be very confusing, in fact, people get amusement from alike talking(4) Violation of the approach rules.There are some slight differences between this rule and above three criteria. Approach rule focuses on ways of speaking put forward a series of demands on the express way. It requires that the speakers don't use obscure and ambiguous words In order to be brief and concise; we ought to avoid redundant expression and talk in a logical, coherent manner. It urges the audience to have some fundamental understanding of English to feel the deep meaning during communication.1)Express in obscure mannerExampleSheldon: Scissors cuts paper, paper covers rock, rock crushes lizard, lizard poisons Spock, Spock smashes scissors, scissors decapitates lizard, lizard eats paper, paper disproves Spock, Spock vaporizes rock, and as it always has, rock crushes scissors.Literally, it is extremely tough to understand what Sheldon was talking about, but this sentence was the most famous one in the whole big bang theory.2)ambiguity and humorExamplePenny: So, yeah, anyway, that’s my boyfriend. He is really smart.Leonard doesn’t know anything about football, but in front of his girlfriend Penny friends He doesn’t want to lose face, so he uses his limited knowledge to show himself. Unfortunately, he outsmarts himself.Penny helplessly says her boyfriend is so smart. This is a pun, because on theone hand, Leonard is a very intelligent scientist; On the other hand, he doesn’t know anything about football. He is clumsy, thus a sense of humor was produced,3)Repetitive words with humorAmy was fascinated by a handsome man Zack.and she don't know why there are such changes, and Sheldon made a test for her, let her described the scene:Amy：Penny’s friend Zack stopped by and said hello and I said ―hoo.‖Sheldon：Who?Amy：Zack.Sheldon：Then why did you ask?Amy：Ask what?Sheldon：Who?Amy：Zack.In this epode, Amy and Sheldon were in a mess because both of them do not understand each other. They just simply repeated the words, how funny it was,3.3 humor translation under different principles3.3.1 The big bang theory under the theory of functional equivalence1) The equality of language levelSheldon’s mother：Shower，shirt，shoes，and let’s shower.Sheldon：There wouldn’t have been any ass-kicking if that stupid death ray had worked．Sheldon’s mother：Problem solved．Leonard：Really?That’s impressive．Sheldon’s mother：Leonard，the lord never gives US more than we can handle．Thankfully，he blessed me with two other children who are dumb as soup．谢尔顿妈妈：沐浴更衣，然后我们就出发。