This paper argues for the effectiveness of using denotative models in translating audiovisual humor. The rationale for that lies, primarily, in the nature of screen humor under consideration and the fundamental ideas shaping the translation model. Whatever language we speak, we live in and perceive a common reality, i.e. a linguistic code, with minor exceptions, conceals familiar objects and phenomena. Thus, a translation is supposed to describe the situation/denotata of the source text by the linguistic means available in the target language. The model is highly applicable for humorous contexts which normally combine at least two denotative scripts shaping a cognitive incongruity. The paper analyses incongruities based on the informational advantage. The advantage implies an increased awareness about at least one of the scripts in at least one of the communication parties. Another major advantage of the denotative translation model is that it allows for spatial and phonetic synchronization crucial for an audiovisual text as a complex semiotic structure. Refs 30.
