NEGOTIATING HUMOR ACROSS LANGUAGES: AN ANALYSIS OF PATRAS BUKHARI’S ESSAYS

Abstract

This study explores the complexities of translating humor in the works of the renowned Urdu humorist Patras Bukhari, focusing on three of his essays: Hostel mein parhna (Hostel Life), Sawere jo kal aankh meri khuli (Early Yesterday Morning), and Marhoom ki yaad mein (Obituary). Through a close comparative analysis of the original Urdu texts and their English translations, the research investigates the extent to which the humor, tone, and socio-political critique embedded in the source language are preserved in the target language. Guided by Delia Chiaro’s theory of humor translation, particularly insights from The Language of Jokes and the concept of “verbal play”. This study examines the linguistic and cultural challenges involved in translating Bukhari’s satire. It highlights how idiomatic expressions, cultural references, and linguistic nuances shape humor in Urdu and how these elements often shift or lose impact when rendered in English. Key questions include how Bukhari’s social and political satire is altered during translation and to what extent the target language can maintain the same comedic tone and critical commentary. The research reveals that while some humor can be effectively transposed, much of Bukhari’s wit is deeply rooted in cultural context, making full equivalence challenging and sometimes resulting in a loss of original flavor and meaning. This study contributes to translation studies by underscoring the need for culturally informed translation strategies when handling literary humor, particularly in multilingual and postcolonial contexts such as Urdu-English translation.