摘要:Language-expressed humor and language-created humor, and when cultural factor is considered, humor can be classified into cultural humor and non-cultural humor. The comparative study on English and Chinese humor expressions finds out that rough correspondence exists between them in terms of some linguistic devices and a special language form namely body language which create humor.
想,大不了你当家长,我当副家长,叫人笑我气管炎。(Homophonic puns)
In this joke the expression“气管炎”,referring to a kind of respiratory disease, has similar sound with“妻管炎”,which means hen-peckedness.
(4)要想皮肤好,早晚用大宝。(Homographic puns)
In this advertisement, the word“早晚”here has double meanings. Thus the expression“早晚用大宝”means “to use Dabao in the morning and in the evening” and “to use Dabao sooner or later” simultaneously. With the pun in it, the advertisement is impressive and interesting.
2.1.1.2 Parody
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, parody is a “piece of writing intended to amuse by imitating the style of writing used by somebody else”. This figure of speech is similar to parody, which is imitation of the famous poems, remarks, aphorism and proverb with alteration of some words to express a new idea or achieve humorous and sarcastic effects.
(1) “It’s said Jane has fallen in love with Jack.”
“Yes, but she says she had hesitated for a long time before she finally walked into love.”
Obviously “Walk into love” is a parody of “fall in love”. The substitution of the verb “walk” for “fall” humorously and vividly describes Jane’s hesitation before her falling in love with Jack.
(2)历来都是“万般皆下品,唯有做官高”。知识分子如果做不了官,地位就很惨。
“万般皆下品,唯有做官高”is a humorous parody of“万般皆下品,唯有读书高”,an old Chinese saying.
2.1.1.3 Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech which exaggerates the truth, while hyperbole is the figure of speech that strengthens the expressive effects by exaggerating the characteristics of things. The two figures of speech have their main function in common. That is, both of them rely on overstatement or exaggeration to express strong feelings and impress the readers with the truth. And the exaggerated descriptions or situations can be humorous or ridiculous. For example:
(1) Two small boys, not yet old enough to be in school, were overheard talking at the zoo one day. “My name is Billy. What’s yours?” asked the first boy. “Tommy,” replied the second. “My Daddy’s an accountant. What does your Daddy do for a living?” asked Billy. Tommy replied, “My Daddy’s a lawyer.” “Honest?” asked Billy. “No, just the regular kind”, replied Tommy.
People in America always like making fun of lawyers. Because lawyers are considered not honest, many of them intend to tell tales just for satisfy their clients’ needs.
Similarly, hyperbole is also a common figure of speech in Chinese and an effective means of impressing and amusing readers. For example:
(2)一位胖太太正沿着街道散步时,一个与她素不相识的小男孩紧紧地跟在她的身后。“你这是干什么?’’胖太太回过身问,“你是有什么事情要告诉我吗?” “不,夫人,我只是喜欢在荫凉的地方散步。”
2.1.1.4 Irony
According to the Webster’s New World Dictionary, irony is “a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words used is the direct opposite of their usual sense.” Likewise, irony means a satiric expression whose intended meaning is opposite to its usual meaning. The two figures of speech are basically parallel in terms of their use. And both can create humor, sarcastic humor in particular. For example:
(1) He was such a marvelous teacher that whenever he recognized a spark of genius you could be sure he’d water it.
Readers can judge the teacher as contemptible rather than marvelou
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