Eleven Non-English Humor Publications (In No Particular Order)

By Laura Turner Garrison -

Different approaches to satire do not translate well across national borders, nor often does the subject matter. But if ever there were a case to be made for the universality of satire itself, allow this compilation of satirical magazines to lay a humble foundation. Discover we’re not so different after all! You know, aside from linguistically, historically, culturally, economically, etc.
Whatever your intentions, please enjoy perusing these humor periodicals from around the world.
11. Random Magazine, India
Supposedly India’s sole humor magazine, Random Magazine started in 2008 and has since expanded into a full-fledged media venture. In addition to humorous features, the magazine runs series such as Random Classifieds, Badly Drawn Comics and self-designated dictator Colonel Chikara’s Believe It or Else.
The team behind Random has created television shows like “Love Net” and “Dare to Date.” But perhaps the most fun offshoot of the humor magazine is the Golden Kela Awards, the Indian equivalent to the Razzies. The award ceremony, in partnership with the Sundaas Film Institute, honors the worst of the worst in Bollywood — or as they call it “The Best of the Worst.” Awards handed out over the past three ceremonies include Worst Film, the When Did This Come Out Award, the Most Irritating Song Award and the Dara Singh Award for Worst Accent.
While Random Magazine does not appear to have a web presence, you can read truncated digital versions of the magazine here, or purchase a hard copy. Which may be worthwhile, since the magazine appears to be available in English.
10. Bayan Yani, Turkey
Not only might this Turkish humor magazine be the youngest of the bunch, it’s also the only female-oriented one. Bayan Yani means “the seat next to the woman,” and is a joke on the oppression Turkish women still face in society. Tired of the male-dominated culture of the comic/humor community, a group of female Turkish cartoonists and writers joined forces to “prove their jokes can be just as funny — and biting — as men’s.”
Launched in March of 2011, the publication and its authors hope to reach a wider audience despite its decidedly female point of view. With a budget of $30,000 a month and a circulation of 50,000 copies, it seems inevitable a male may pick it up, although he will probably still read it privately. One columnist for the paper claimed men have asked her to change the name so it won’t be so embarrassing to read in public. Hmm. No one ever said progress happened.
Enjoy the full piece at SPLITSIDER