The Language of Humor
An Introduction

Explores how humor can be explained across the various sub-disciplines of linguistics, in order to aid communication.

Don L. F. Nilsen (Author), Alleen Pace Nilsen (Author)

9781108416542, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 November 2018

400 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 2.5 cm, 0.71 kg

'… it is a very interesting and concise reading … it is an essential reading for everyone who wants to gain a general perspective on humorous issues in important areas of human activity.' Roula Saltidou, The European Journal of Humour Research

Much of today's communication is carried out through various kinds of humor, and we therefore need to be able to understand its many aspects. Here, two of the world's leading pioneers in humor studies, Alleen and Don Nilsen, explore how humor can be explained across the numerous sub-disciplines of linguistics. Drawing on examples from language play and jokes in a range of real-life contexts, such as art, business, marketing, comedy, creative writing, science, journalism and politics, the authors use their own theory of 'Features, functions and subjects of Humor' to analyze humor across all disciplines. Each highly accessible chapter uses a rich array of examples to stimulate discussion and interaction even in large classes. Supplemental PowerPoints to accompany each of the 25 chapters are available online, taking many of the insights from the chapters for further interactional discussions with students.

1. Introduction and overview
2. Humor in anthropology
3. Humor and art
4. Humor and Business
5. Humor and computer science
6. Humor and education
7. Humor and gender studies
8. Humor and geography
9. Humor and gerontology
10. Humor and history
11. Humor and journalism
12. Humor and law
13. Humor and linguistics
14. Humor and literature
15. Humor in medicine and health
16. Humor and music
17. Humor in names and naming
18. Humor in the performing arts
19. Humor and philosophy
20. Humor in physical education and sports
21. Humor and politics
22. Humor and psychology
23 Humor and religion
24. Humor in rhetoric and composition
25. Humor and sociology
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Grammar, syntax & morphology [CFK], Phonetics, phonology [CFH], Sociolinguistics [CFB], Philosophy of language [CFA]