Wortspielkomplexe in der Comic-Serie Asterix.

This article investigates wordplay clusters ("Wortspielketten") in the comic series 'Asterix'. It focuses on Delabastita's five translational strategies which he developed for film and T.V. translations (repetitio, adiectio, detractio, transmutatio and subsitutio) and their adaptability in this case study. However, the discussion of defining wordplays is not explored, as this would be a purely rhetorical and ultimately fruitless exercise. Instead, Harvey's Brief (translation specifications) is employed which influences or even determines the decisions taken by the translator. The author concentrates on two of the four specifications in the Brief, firstly the "primary readership of the translation" and secondly, the "purpose of the translation". The other two specifications are omitted as the first one "the instigator of the translation" is not relevant and the fourth one "the target text-type" is not applicable for this study. Six wordplays clusters are studied in detail, with the author arguing that the translators not only faced the customary difficulties involved in wordplay translations but also encountered case specific challenges such as matching the translated wordplay with the image in the cartoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]