Humor in Hebrew Bible : Some Types, Their Linguistic Features and Observations on Some of Their Translation in The Indonesian Context

Abstract

Humor is such a fundamental aspect of human nature. Humor was found in ancient near eastern texts and inevitably it is found too in the Hebrew bible. Humor is dependent upon the cultural conventions of the moment and so while humorous line evokes the intended response in one society, it does not have the same effect in another. However, by paying attention to certain linguistic aspects, it is possible to identify different types of humor in a particular text. The paper will identify the types of humor and their linguistics aspects (pun, irony, satire, etc.) in the Hebrew Bible. The setting of a situation, appearances etc. that contribute to humor will be identified. I will examine too the rendering of some types of humor in the formal Indonesian Version and offer some suggestions for rendering humor in translations into Indonesian languages.