Chapter 3. Discourse markers as guides to understanding spontaneous humor and irony
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Ksenia Shilikhina
Abstract
The paper addresses the issue of categorizing and interpreting utterances as either serious or non-serious in spontaneous discourse. The research is based on real-life dialogues and samples of computer-mediated interactions in which discourse participants need to discuss the mode of communication due to unexpected insincerity, use of jokes, humorous or ironic remarks in otherwise earnest and sincere interactions. In this context, the aim of the paper is twofold: firstly, it shows how the mode of communication can be negotiated with the help of discourse markers and, secondly, it demonstrates multiple functions of these markers in dialogue. By explicating the speaker’s intention, these phrases guide the process of understanding and indicate how the meaning of the utterance can be integrated in discourse. Discourse markers can also function as signals of social meaning, for example, as signals of implicit conflict or competition.
Abstract
The paper addresses the issue of categorizing and interpreting utterances as either serious or non-serious in spontaneous discourse. The research is based on real-life dialogues and samples of computer-mediated interactions in which discourse participants need to discuss the mode of communication due to unexpected insincerity, use of jokes, humorous or ironic remarks in otherwise earnest and sincere interactions. In this context, the aim of the paper is twofold: firstly, it shows how the mode of communication can be negotiated with the help of discourse markers and, secondly, it demonstrates multiple functions of these markers in dialogue. By explicating the speaker’s intention, these phrases guide the process of understanding and indicate how the meaning of the utterance can be integrated in discourse. Discourse markers can also function as signals of social meaning, for example, as signals of implicit conflict or competition.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Investigating the dynamics of humor 1
-
Part 1. Designing humor in oral interactions
- Chapter 2. Reactions to jab lines in conversational storytelling 29
- Chapter 3. Discourse markers as guides to understanding spontaneous humor and irony 57
- Chapter 4. The pragmatics of humor in bilingual conversations 77
- Chapter 5. Laughing at you or laughing with you? 105
- Chapter 6. Teasing as audience engagement 127
-
Part 2. Designing humor in mediated interactions
- Chapter 7. Laughter and non-humorous situations in TV documentaries 155
- Chapter 8. “Cool children” and “super seniors” cross into youth language 181
- Chapter 9. No child’s play 205
- Chapter 10. Online joint fictionalization 229
- Chapter 11. On-line humorous representations of the 2015 Greek national elections 257
- Chapter 12. Positive non-humorous effects of humor on the internet 283
- List of contributors 305
- Index 311
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Investigating the dynamics of humor 1
-
Part 1. Designing humor in oral interactions
- Chapter 2. Reactions to jab lines in conversational storytelling 29
- Chapter 3. Discourse markers as guides to understanding spontaneous humor and irony 57
- Chapter 4. The pragmatics of humor in bilingual conversations 77
- Chapter 5. Laughing at you or laughing with you? 105
- Chapter 6. Teasing as audience engagement 127
-
Part 2. Designing humor in mediated interactions
- Chapter 7. Laughter and non-humorous situations in TV documentaries 155
- Chapter 8. “Cool children” and “super seniors” cross into youth language 181
- Chapter 9. No child’s play 205
- Chapter 10. Online joint fictionalization 229
- Chapter 11. On-line humorous representations of the 2015 Greek national elections 257
- Chapter 12. Positive non-humorous effects of humor on the internet 283
- List of contributors 305
- Index 311
