Stretching Reality: the Function & Translation of Hyperbole in Anglophone Satirical Science Fiction Literature

Abstract

This study investigates the use of hyperbole as a satirical device in English-language science fiction, examining its stylistic conveyance and translation into Russian. Employing linguo-stylistic analysis, translation analysis, and functional-linguistic component examination, various definitions of hyperbole are explored. The results indicate that hyperbole serves as an artistic tool for deliberate exaggeration, capturing the reader’s attention and emphasizing the author’s stance. Focusing on Harry Harrison’s science fiction novel “Bill, the Galactic Hero” and its two translations by V. P. Kovalevsky, the research scrutinizes hyperbole’s contribution to satirical effects and identifies two types of hyperbolic exaggerations: contextual and hidden. Hidden hyperbole is further expressed through stylistic contrast and enumeration. In the Russian translations, the satirical effect is largely preserved, albeit with some losses. The study underscores the significance of hyperbole in engaging readers’ critical thinking and directing their focus towards real-world issues within the science fiction narrative. For professional translators, recognizing and conveying hyperbole is crucial in accurately representing the author’s intended meaning.