Children using phraseology for humorous purposes
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Larissa Timofeeva-Timofeev
Abstract
This paper analyzes the use of phraseological procedures for humorous purposes in 9-to-10-year-olds’ written production with regard to their metapragmatic development. 148 humorous stories written by 4th grade Primary School children from 5 schools located in the province of Alicante (Spain) were quantitatively and qualitatively processed. The analysis revealed that children belonging to the age group examined use phraseology for humor in a mainly epipragmatic way, although evidence of metapragmatic reflection exists as well. Phrasal compounds and idioms present similar use rates, which refutes the initial hypothesis according to which transparent phrasal compounds are preferred over more opaque idioms. The unexpected outcome of the study was the use – though scarce – of manipulated phraseological units, since this procedure implies a high metapragmatic competence.
Abstract
This paper analyzes the use of phraseological procedures for humorous purposes in 9-to-10-year-olds’ written production with regard to their metapragmatic development. 148 humorous stories written by 4th grade Primary School children from 5 schools located in the province of Alicante (Spain) were quantitatively and qualitatively processed. The analysis revealed that children belonging to the age group examined use phraseology for humor in a mainly epipragmatic way, although evidence of metapragmatic reflection exists as well. Phrasal compounds and idioms present similar use rates, which refutes the initial hypothesis according to which transparent phrasal compounds are preferred over more opaque idioms. The unexpected outcome of the study was the use – though scarce – of manipulated phraseological units, since this procedure implies a high metapragmatic competence.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Exploring metapragmatics of humor 1
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Part 1. Revisions and applications of General Theory of Verbal Humor (GTVH) in a metapragmatic context
- The variables of the evaluative functional relationship 11
- Humor and advertising in Twitter 35
- Beyond verbal incongruity 57
- Metapragmatics of humor 79
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Part 2. Metapragmatic awareness of humor across textual modes
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2.1. Jokes
- Lawyers, great lawyers, and liars 107
- A look at metalinguistic jokes based on intentional morphological reanalysis 127
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2.2. TV genres
- How do French humorists adapt across situations? 147
- Truthiness and consequences 177
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2.3. Conversation
- Variability, adaptability and negotiability in conversational humor 193
- Teasing in casual conversations 215
- Smiling, gaze, and humor in conversation 235
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Part 3. Metapragmatic practices within the acquisition of humor
- Understanding of humorous intentions 257
- Children using phraseology for humorous purposes 273
- Index 299
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Exploring metapragmatics of humor 1
-
Part 1. Revisions and applications of General Theory of Verbal Humor (GTVH) in a metapragmatic context
- The variables of the evaluative functional relationship 11
- Humor and advertising in Twitter 35
- Beyond verbal incongruity 57
- Metapragmatics of humor 79
-
Part 2. Metapragmatic awareness of humor across textual modes
-
2.1. Jokes
- Lawyers, great lawyers, and liars 107
- A look at metalinguistic jokes based on intentional morphological reanalysis 127
-
2.2. TV genres
- How do French humorists adapt across situations? 147
- Truthiness and consequences 177
-
2.3. Conversation
- Variability, adaptability and negotiability in conversational humor 193
- Teasing in casual conversations 215
- Smiling, gaze, and humor in conversation 235
-
Part 3. Metapragmatic practices within the acquisition of humor
- Understanding of humorous intentions 257
- Children using phraseology for humorous purposes 273
- Index 299
