PHILOSOPHY OF HUMOR ACROSS CULTURES IN THE TRANSLATIONS OF DON QUIXOTE.

This study investigates the philosophical dimensions of humor as they emerge in the Uzbek and Russian translations of Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote. Humor, often regarded as both a universal human experience and a culturally specific construct, poses unique challenges in translation. By examining selected passages where Cervantes employs irony, satire, and wordplay, the article explores how translators negotiate the tension between preserving the original comedic intent and adapting it to resonate with target audiences. The Russian tradition, shaped by Soviet-era literary norms and philosophical approaches to irony, often emphasizes intellectual satire and ideological clarity. In contrast, Uzbek translations draw upon oral storytelling traditions and folk humor, highlighting accessibility and cultural familiarity. Through comparative analysis, the paper demonstrates how humor functions not only as entertainment but also as a philosophical lens through which cultural values, social norms, and literary traditions are refracted. Ultimately, the study argues that translation of humor is an act of cultural mediation, revealing both the universality of laughter and its dependence on cultural context.