Understanding and enjoying humor in fairy tales from different cultures can be both challenging and rewarding. Cultural nuances, language differences, and historical contexts can all play an important role in how humor is perceived and whether or not it is appreciated. Translations of fairy tales from languages such as German and French into English can present unique challenges in capturing the humor intended by the original authors. Because “culture shapes the manner in which people habitually think” (Zhang et al, 663), recognizing and appreciating the impact of culture on the interpretation of fairy tales will allow us to unlock the humor and begin to appreciate the various comedic elements embedded within these timeless stories.

Humor in fairy tales is often conveyed through clever wordplay, puns, and idiomatic expressions. When reading translated fairy tales, we must pay attention to how the humor is conveyed in English compared to the original language. For example, in the German fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin (Grimm et al), the name of the titular character is a play on words that is lost in translation. In Germany, long words are often a combination of smaller words. The German term “Rumpelstilzchen” is composed of “the verb ‘rumpeln’ meaning to rumble or clatter, the element ‘stilz’ denoting a pole or post, and the suffix ‘-chen’’ used for creating diminutive forms.” So consequently, the name of the protagonist literally portrays a “spirit or ghost” causing commotion in a building by shaking posts (Golda et al,86). This meaning may form the basis of humor in German culture for this tale, but in English speaking cultures, the English translation “Rumpelstiltskin” is perceived to be a nonsense word, which reduces the significance of the main character and the humor found in his actions. Knowing the origins of the word adds new meaning to the story.

Fairy tales often rely on cultural stereotypes and archetypes to convey humor and messages. This can be portrayed as subtle wit to outright absurdity.  Being mindful of how these stereotypes are portrayed in different cultures and how they may be perceived by modern audiences will help understand the intended humor. One of the comedic elements in Charles Perrault’s Cendrillon is the portrayal of the stepmother and stepsisters. These characters, with their exaggerated vanity and self-absorption, serve as a parody of aristocratic women of the time. Their obsession with appearances and lack of empathy for others create a humorous contrast to Cendrillon’s kindness and humility. Perrault uses their ridiculous behavior to comment on the superficiality of French nobility, making the audience laugh, while subtly criticizing societal attitudes towards wealth and status. Today in our society, this humor is translated as these characters are portrayed as “mean girls”. 

The interactions between characters in fairy tales can also be a source of humor. We should pay close attention to the dynamics between characters, their dialogue, and how they respond to various situations. For example, in the German fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, the interactions between the siblings and the witch are filled with dark humor and irony, yet some may find it funny that the children are able to outsmart the witch. Many fairy tales, including Hansel and Gretel, have been adapted and reimagined numerous times throughout history. Neil Gaiman’s illustrated rendition of the tale adds an element of witty banter to the story, making it a humorous adaptation that modern audiences in our Western society find charming and amusing (Gaiman).

Embracing the humor that dances through these tales requires an open mind and a willingness to see the world through the eyes of the characters, who tell their story from different times periods across different cultures. These “cultural differences seem to play a significant role for comprehending stories” (Zhang et al, 675).  By considering the cultural context, language nuances, historical influences, character interactions, stereotypes, adaptations, and embracing the variety of humor styles present in fairy tales, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tradition of storytelling across cultures. In the distant future, in a place far, far away, where another language is spoken and a new culture is born, the phrase “hakuna matata” (The Lion King) may still be sung and put a smile on countless faces. Disney has ensured the preservation of the definition of this Swahili phrase (Hakuna Matata | Dictionary.com) by incorporating its literal meaning into its song of the same title. The humor doesn’t simply come from speaking the words, but also from knowing their meaning and the cultural context in which the words are so cleverly used.