1. BBI3303 Humour, Language and Power

2. Humour, Languge and Power Humor is acknowledged as a form of linguistic, social and cultural praxis/practice. Humour has been a neglected aspect of study in studies of language and power as well as in CDA studies. Humour however occurs in personal, social and political relationships.

3. Many popular forms of humor such as parody, irony and satire have been oriented towards structuring and re-structuring personal, social and political relationships. It is used as a tool of repression and ridicule by the powerful and a form of resistance by the less powerful. It is endemic to society and culture and cannot be ignored in studies of how language interacts with power.

4. Forms of humour Parody The imitation of style of a writer with exaggeration for comic effect. Irony Language that signifies the opposite of the words used. Satire The use of humour to expose or criticise people’s vices especially in politics. Pun Double meanings in language use especially words.

5. Incongruity as a humor mechanism For a piece of text to be funny, it must exhibit incongruity. Incongruity is when there is a mismatch between conventional meanings of language and the suggested meaning that the language has in a particular context. Incongruity can occur at different levels of language eg words, phonology. Example on pg 26 (satire), 29 (pun). See textbook.

6. Political Satire (pg26) Par Par Lay goes to India to seek relief for a toothache. The Indian dentist wonders why the Burmese man has come all that way to see him “ Don’t you have dentists in Myanmar?” he asks. “ Oh yes, we doctor,” says Par Par Lay. “But in Myanmar, we are not allowed to open our mouths.”

7. Pun (pg29) Headline refers to theft of money by a member of UK’s military. The headline is “Who dares swindles” Sergeant accused of stealing 100K Famous motto of the UK’s military is ‘Who dares wins’. The paper is quick to establish a connection between motto and their headline.

8. Irony A hungry cook A fire station burns down A teacher fails a test Robbery at a police station

9. At least they won't need to travel to investigate this one.

10. Roofing fail

11. Class Activity Provide examples of the different forms of humor.