ABSTRACT
This paper first explores humorous effects in English sitcoms and some widely adopted humor translation strategies. It then defines each category of humor and its characteristics in an American sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Some representative episodes are also chosen as examples. With current available translation as reference, it analyzes the translation strategies and tries to conclude the best one regarding each category of humor, thus making it easier for target audience to better appreciate and understand humor in sitcoms.
Keywords：English sitcom; humor; translation strategy
Contents
1．Introduction 1
2. Humor and translation 2
2.1 Definition of humor 2
2.2 Overview of humor and translation 2
3. Characteristics of Humor in English sitcoms 4
3.1 Universal humor 4
3.2 Cultural humor 4
3.3 Rhetorical humor 4
4. Principles of humor translation in English sitcoms 5
4.1 Basic strategies governing the translation of humor in English sitcoms 5
4.2 Translatability and untranslatability of humor in English sitcoms 8
5. Methods and skills of humor translation in The Big Bang Theory 10
5.1 Brief introduction of the show 10
5.2 A detailed analysis of different humor in The Big Bang Theory and related translation strategies 10
6．Conclusion 22
Acknowledgements 23
References 24
