in the uk editions of the asterix books, why do the puns still make sense when translated from french?

Answer 1

Some of the English translations are better: the druid is Getafix rather than the rather bland Panoramix; the fishmonger Unhygenix is a big improvement on the Fench Ordralphabetix (wtf?) and I personally prefer Geriatrix to the French Agecanonix for the old man.
The translation of the dog's name from Ideefixe to Dogmatix is genius.

Answer 2

You know, a lot of English words are derived from French. So you just have to admire the ingenuity of Uderzo and Goscinny for writing in such a way that the jokes could be funny even when translated in another language. And when you sit down to think about it there is a lot of historical accuracy in the jokes, like the Brits stopping the war to have tea, or that the practice of drinking tea went to the continent from England. There are plenty more little things like that about the other countries. When you see the adventure in Corsica, they all wear black and there is a bunch of old gaspers sitting on a log just outside the village. That kind of thing you would see anywhere.

Answer 3

Well as you probably can tell they are not literally translated but adapted. And I believe that the translators have a great sense of humour. Personally, in general, I prefer the English translation to the French original!

Answer 4

cause its written that way. creators were well read and travelled which can easil be understood from the different episodes of asterix

Answer 5

They are not literal translations. They are change to make them funny.