John Benjamins Publishing Company
Joker in the pack
Abstract
Researchers tend to use the concept of a play frame, a humorous frame or humorous keying in reference to a peculiar communicative mode within which humorous utterances and exchanges are enclosed. The goal of this chapter is to discuss this postulate, explaining the terms used in reference to the humorous mode and accounting for the relationship between it and the non-humorous mode. The paper opens with a succinct survey of literature introducing the concepts of framing, keying and carnival (together with a few other terms used synonymously), both as originally proposed and in the light of their pertinence to the study of humour. Most significantly, special attention is paid to the nature of the interdependence between humorous and non-humorous frames. It is shown how conversationalists can engage in, and alternate between, the two frames. Of vital importance are the notions of intention and intention recognition, which lie at the heart of playful teasing, sometimes centred on multi-layered humour-orientated deception. The theoretical discussion is illustrated with examples culled from genuine dyadic e-mail exchanges.
Abstract
Researchers tend to use the concept of a play frame, a humorous frame or humorous keying in reference to a peculiar communicative mode within which humorous utterances and exchanges are enclosed. The goal of this chapter is to discuss this postulate, explaining the terms used in reference to the humorous mode and accounting for the relationship between it and the non-humorous mode. The paper opens with a succinct survey of literature introducing the concepts of framing, keying and carnival (together with a few other terms used synonymously), both as originally proposed and in the light of their pertinence to the study of humour. Most significantly, special attention is paid to the nature of the interdependence between humorous and non-humorous frames. It is shown how conversationalists can engage in, and alternate between, the two frames. Of vital importance are the notions of intention and intention recognition, which lie at the heart of playful teasing, sometimes centred on multi-layered humour-orientated deception. The theoretical discussion is illustrated with examples culled from genuine dyadic e-mail exchanges.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Pragmatics and linguistic research into humour 1
-
Part 1. Stylistic figures as forms of humour
-
1.1: Irony
- Will anticipating irony facilitate it immediately? 19
- “That’s not ironic, that’s just stupid” 33
- Irony via “surrealism” 51
-
1.2 Puns and other wordplay
- The role of syllables and morphemes as mechanisms in humorous pun formation 71
- Context-sensitive aspects of Shakespeare’s use of puns in comedies 105
- Dimensions of incongruity in register humour 125
-
Part 2. (Non)interactive forms of humour
-
2.1: Jokes
- Displays of “new” gender arrangements in Russian jokes 147
- Understanding ethnic humour in Romanian jokes 173
- Sexuality in Anglo-American anti-proverbs 191
-
2.2 Conversational humour
- Joker in the pack 217
- Humour in quasi-conversations 243
- Humour and the integration of new staff in the workplace 265
-
Part 3. Forms of humour in public discourse
- Parody in the light of the incongruity-resolution model 291
- “I’ll be there for you!” On participation-based sitcom humour 311
- “Losers, poltroons and nudniks” in Woody Allen’s Mere Anarchy 335
- Notes on humour and persuasion in advertising and legal discourse 353
- Comic takeover or comic makeover? 365
- Name index 379
- Subject index 381
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Pragmatics and linguistic research into humour 1
-
Part 1. Stylistic figures as forms of humour
-
1.1: Irony
- Will anticipating irony facilitate it immediately? 19
- “That’s not ironic, that’s just stupid” 33
- Irony via “surrealism” 51
-
1.2 Puns and other wordplay
- The role of syllables and morphemes as mechanisms in humorous pun formation 71
- Context-sensitive aspects of Shakespeare’s use of puns in comedies 105
- Dimensions of incongruity in register humour 125
-
Part 2. (Non)interactive forms of humour
-
2.1: Jokes
- Displays of “new” gender arrangements in Russian jokes 147
- Understanding ethnic humour in Romanian jokes 173
- Sexuality in Anglo-American anti-proverbs 191
-
2.2 Conversational humour
- Joker in the pack 217
- Humour in quasi-conversations 243
- Humour and the integration of new staff in the workplace 265
-
Part 3. Forms of humour in public discourse
- Parody in the light of the incongruity-resolution model 291
- “I’ll be there for you!” On participation-based sitcom humour 311
- “Losers, poltroons and nudniks” in Woody Allen’s Mere Anarchy 335
- Notes on humour and persuasion in advertising and legal discourse 353
- Comic takeover or comic makeover? 365
- Name index 379
- Subject index 381
