The aim of this paper is to identify and describe cognitive processes occurring during the translation of a complex wordplay. Humorous texts have received little attention in empirical translation process research. This exploratory study seeks to develop a research methodology that is suited for the empirical study of wordplay. The experiment comprised the translation of a short adversarial wordplay by three groups of translation students. Their discussions were recorded and analyzed. The results indicate that students possess a high level of awareness of the importance of linguistic structures in creating the desired humorous effect, even though they cannot always translate this theoretical knowledge into practice. Another finding was that collaboration helps students overcome mental blockages and supports creative solutions.