Chapter 9. No child’s play
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Marta Dynel
Abstract
This chapter sheds some light on the different interpretations of the notion of pretense across disciplines. Attention is paid primarily to the pragmatic and philosophical literature where pretense is used with regard to two linguistic notions: irony and deception. These are here conceptualized as overt pretense and covert pretense respectively. Both of these may serve humorous purposes. The principal objective of this chapter is to examine the interface between overt pretense and conversational humor, including humorous irony. This is done by critically revisiting the relevant literature on humorous pretense and by elucidating a number of forms and specific mechanisms such humor may take, as well as functions it may perform. The discussion is illustrated with extracts taken from the American television series House. This chapter thus tacitly supports the idea of verisimilar language use in fictional interactions.
Abstract
This chapter sheds some light on the different interpretations of the notion of pretense across disciplines. Attention is paid primarily to the pragmatic and philosophical literature where pretense is used with regard to two linguistic notions: irony and deception. These are here conceptualized as overt pretense and covert pretense respectively. Both of these may serve humorous purposes. The principal objective of this chapter is to examine the interface between overt pretense and conversational humor, including humorous irony. This is done by critically revisiting the relevant literature on humorous pretense and by elucidating a number of forms and specific mechanisms such humor may take, as well as functions it may perform. The discussion is illustrated with extracts taken from the American television series House. This chapter thus tacitly supports the idea of verisimilar language use in fictional interactions.
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
