Discursive mechanisms of informative humor in Spanish media
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Elena Méndez-Gª de Paredes
Abstract
This work analyzes, within the theoretical and methodological framework of discourse analysis, the main elements of humor in the media which spread as strategies to capture the audience in Spanish television programs. Humor is hereby understood as an intentional act formed of expository and linguistic procedures and capable of producing effects of collusion between the media and its audience, thanks to the role played by ludus as a means to conceive the communicated media information reality. Media information humor is a parody genre which takes real news and uses them in a humorous way. This is carried out by a stereotyped conversational structure which relates serious information and its humorous treatment. This new context supplies with a target to be made fun of. Everything is allowed within this communicative frame and everything can be played with, consciously and intentionally.
Abstract
This work analyzes, within the theoretical and methodological framework of discourse analysis, the main elements of humor in the media which spread as strategies to capture the audience in Spanish television programs. Humor is hereby understood as an intentional act formed of expository and linguistic procedures and capable of producing effects of collusion between the media and its audience, thanks to the role played by ludus as a means to conceive the communicated media information reality. Media information humor is a parody genre which takes real news and uses them in a humorous way. This is carried out by a stereotyped conversational structure which relates serious information and its humorous treatment. This new context supplies with a target to be made fun of. Everything is allowed within this communicative frame and everything can be played with, consciously and intentionally.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The pragmatics of irony and humor 1
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1. Irony and humor
- The power of inversion 17
- Intentionality and irony 39
- An inference-centered analysis of jokes 59
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2. Irony and humor in mediated discourse
- Discursive mechanisms of informative humor in Spanish media 85
- Narrative strategies in Buenafuente’s humorous monologues 107
- Cartoons in Spanish press 141
- Phonological humor as perception and representation of foreignness 159
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3. Irony and humor in conversational interaction
- Failed humor in conversational utterances in Spanish 191
- Humor and argumentation in everyday talk 219
- Tackling the complexity of spontaneous humorous interaction 243
- Subject index 269
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The pragmatics of irony and humor 1
-
1. Irony and humor
- The power of inversion 17
- Intentionality and irony 39
- An inference-centered analysis of jokes 59
-
2. Irony and humor in mediated discourse
- Discursive mechanisms of informative humor in Spanish media 85
- Narrative strategies in Buenafuente’s humorous monologues 107
- Cartoons in Spanish press 141
- Phonological humor as perception and representation of foreignness 159
-
3. Irony and humor in conversational interaction
- Failed humor in conversational utterances in Spanish 191
- Humor and argumentation in everyday talk 219
- Tackling the complexity of spontaneous humorous interaction 243
- Subject index 269
