Book contents
- Irony
- Key Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics
- Irony
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Irony as Opposition
- 3 Irony as Echo
- 4 Irony as Pretence
- 5 Attitude Expression in Irony
- 6 Clues of Irony
- 7 Sarcasm and Humour
- Examples Used in Text
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index
- References
7 - Sarcasm and Humour
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 March 2018
Book contents
- Irony
- Key Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics
- Irony
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Irony as Opposition
- 3 Irony as Echo
- 4 Irony as Pretence
- 5 Attitude Expression in Irony
- 6 Clues of Irony
- 7 Sarcasm and Humour
- Examples Used in Text
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index
- References
Summary
In this chapter, I focus on two notions that are related to irony on different levels: I explain the relationship between irony and both sarcasm and humor. Irony and sarcasm are normally considered to be two different phenomena, but we do not easily agree when determining how they should be differentiated. Most authors mention victims, aggressiveness and clarity when distinguishing between irony and sarcasm: sarcasm always has a victim, sarcasm is more aggressive than irony, and sarcasms are clearer than ironies. Then, I focus on the relationship between irony and humor. Irony is usually considered to be funny. In order to understand this link, I present two main theories of humor: the incongruity and superiority theories of humor. Humor is said to arise when an apparent incongruity is resolved, or when we have a feeling of superiority towards someone. These two ideas can explain why we often consider that irony is funny: in ironic communication, there is always an apparent incongruity (a clash between meanings) and a feeling of superiority (a expression of a negative attitude towards someone or something).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Irony , pp. 126 - 146Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2018
References
Dynel, M. 2016. Pejoration via sarcastic irony and sarcasm. In Pejoration, ed. Finkbeiner, R., Meibauer, J. and Wiese, H., 219–40. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.Google Scholar
McDonald, S. 2000. Neuropsychological studies of sarcasm. Metaphor and Symbol 15(1–2): 85–98.Google Scholar
Rockwell, P. 2000. Lower, slower, louder: vocal cues of sarcasm. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research 29(5): 483–95.Google Scholar
Curcó, C. 1997. The pragmatics of humorous interpretations: a relevance-theoretic approach. PhD dissertation, University College London.Google Scholar
Goatly, A. 2012. Meaning and Humor (Key Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics). New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Monreall, J. (ed.). 1987. The Philosophy of Laughter and Humor. Albany: State University of New York Press.Google Scholar
Attardo, S. 2001. Humor and irony in interaction: from mode adoption to failure of detection. In Say Not to Say: New Perspectives on Miscommunication, ed. Anolli, L., Ciceri, R. & Riva, G., 165–85. Amsterdam: IOS Press.Google Scholar
Dynel, M. 2013b. When does irony tickle the hearer? Towards capturing the characteristics of humorous irony. In Developments in Linguistic Humor Theory, ed. Dynel, Marta, 289–320. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.Google Scholar
Garmendia, J. 2014. The clash: humor and critical attitude in verbal irony. Humor 27(4): 641–59.Google Scholar