Translation of Humor in English-Language Films and TV Series from an English-Ukrainian Perspective

Abstract

The article examines the challenges and strategies involved in the translation of humor from English into Ukrainian in films and television series. Particular attention is paid to linguistic and cultural factors that influence the successful transfer of humorous effects across languages. The study analyzes key difficulties associated with the translation of wordplay, idiomatic expressions, culture-specific references, irony, and sarcasm. The research is based on contemporary studies in audiovisual translation and humor translation published after 2016. Descriptive, comparative, and analytical methods are employed to investigate the effectiveness of various translation approaches. The findings demonstrate that cultural adaptation, creative reformulation, and functional equivalence are among the most effective strategies for preserving the communicative and entertainment value of humorous content. The paper also discusses the impact of subtitling and dubbing on humor translation and considers the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in audiovisual translation. The study concludes that successful humor translation requires not only linguistic competence but also cultural awareness and creativity, making the translator a key mediator between source and target audiences.