The ’tail’ of Alice’s tale : A case study of Swedish translations of puns in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Abstract: This study investigates the use of different strategies for translating puns in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The material chosen for this study consist of the two Swedish translations by Nonnen (1870/1984) and Westman (2009). Six puns were selected for the analysis which greatly relies on Delabastita’s (1996) eight strategies for translating puns, and Newmark’s (1988) translation methods. The analysis shows that Westman empathises with the readers of the TT while Nonnen empathises with the ST. This entails that Westman tends to use a more ‘free’ translation and is more inclined to adapt the ST puns to make them more visible for the readership of the TT. The priority for Nonnen, on the other hand, is to remain faithful to the contextual meaning of the ST. Paradoxically, to be faithful to the ST does not necessarily entail that the translator respects the semantic aspects of the ST, but that they adapt the culture of the ST to better fit the cultural and linguistic framework of the TL. Since Westman adapts the ST puns so that they are still recognised by the reader of the TT, her translation appears to be more suitable for the TL readership than Nonnen’s.