An analysis of cultural aspect in English humor.doc
An analysis of cultural aspect in English humor浅析英语幽默中的文化因素ABSTRACTHumor a universal phenomenon in all kinds of human interaction. Humor has been studied a lot in such various fields as psychology, philosophy, rhetoric and many others. It is also come within the considerations of pragmatics. And the pragmatic pendants have provided promising explanations of its working mechanism, appreciation and functions, etc. However, we should pay attention on to the cultural factors play a determining role in the understanding the humor in different cultures. Since humor also carries with it a strong cultural note, we often see that the same comic situation is not regarded as funny or amusing by someone from another culture because the audience does not share the knowledge with the humorist. Based on the previous research fruit of humor, the author tries to make an analysis on the English culture based on the English humors.The thesis consists of four parts. The first part gives an introduction of the concepts of humor and its classification and its multidiscipline studies. Chapter two examines the humors to employ an analysis on underlying English cultures. Chapter three put the research into teaching. The last part comes to the conclusion and limitation of this thesis. Key Words: humor; culture，teaching摘 要幽默普遍存在于人类生活的各个方面。幽默，作为一种语言现象在英语文化中有着举足轻重的地位，因此受到不同领域学者的关注，研究涉及心理学，哲学，修辞学等众多学科。语言学家也建立了大量理论阐释言语幽默现象。语用学将语境作为研究基础，很好的阐释了言语的幽默机制和功能用途。但我们仍要注意文化不同，人们对幽默的理解也会不同，文化因素在这一理解过程中起到了决定作用。因而，要对幽默进行很好的理解，就要对隐含在其中的民族文化习俗和价值观有深入的了解。在前人的研究成果基础上， 作者把幽默作为研究对象试图对其中隐含的文化因素尝试性的进行分析。本论文分为四个部分。第一部分是对幽默的总述，涉及幽默的定义，类型和前人对幽默现象的研究概况。第二部分通过对英语幽默进行分析，希望找到幽默显现出来的英语文化。第三部分通过上述分析希望将英语文化应用于英语教学。最后一部分是结论。关键词：幽默；文化；教学CONTENTSAcknowledgementsABSTRACTiii摘 要iv1Introduction11.1 Definitions and Classification of Humor 11.2 Literature Review 22Analysis on underlying cultures42.1 Cultural values42.2 Religious Believes5 2.3 Linear thinking patterns5 2.4 Nationality and their characters6 2.5 Values towards materials83Implications on Teaching94 Conclusion10 4.1 Major conclusion10 4.2 Limitations and suggestions for further studies11BIBLIOGRAPHY121 Introduction Before we discuss the underlying culture in the English humors，it is necessary to know the basic knowledge of humor. Therefore, this chapter will first make a brief survey on humor, including the concepts, classifications and characteristics. 1.1 Definition and classificationHumor, a most ubiquitous and complex human expression, penetrates in daily life, yet it is more complicated than it seems. Humor research has undergone rather a long history from Aristotle till now, moreover, humor research has attracted much attention from many fields Many scholars have devoted themselves to the research of humor with the help of various theories. But the very question of what is meant by humor remains difficult to answer. Recently, humor has come within the scope of linguistics, for humor and language are interdependent in two important ways: first, language itself becomes the subject matter of humor; second, the development, comprehension, and appreciation of humor are determined, to a considerable degree, by the use and function of language in society and by the cultural attitudes and values associated with it (Apte, 1995:178-79).The English word humor is derived from the Latin word liquid to denote the four liquids of the body; blood, phlegm, choler and melancholy, which were said to determine a persons mental and physical qualities. Researchers are trying their best to define it. Aristotle defined humor in terms of incongruity, or anything ludicrous contained some defect or ugliness, which was not painful or destructive; Sigmund Freud held that enjoyment of humor depended on the release of suppressed tendencies in humor behavior; Leacock wrote “it represents the breaking up of humorous matter into its elements so that one can examine and appreciate one little bit of it without any extraneous context; one might say that a joke is a self-contained humorous thought”(Raskin, 1985:8)Generally speaking, for the humor varies in forms, no definition of humor available can account for all forms of humor, nor has any attempt to define humor to cover all possible situations.There are many ways of classifying humor. Based on the levels realization, Bergson(1921) points out that comic effects are mostly generated by way of language, and he distinguishes two kinds of comic effect: one is expressed by language, which is translatable, and the other is created by language, which is untranslatable(cited in 胡，1991：73). 1.2 Literature review The literature on the topic of humor is extensive and enormous. Since ancient times, humor has scholars with various disciplinary backgrounds such as philosophers, literary critics and, psychologists, linguists and anthropologists. The followings are relevant to humor.Freud in jokes and their relation to the unconscious (1976) suggests a basic resemblance between jokes and dream. He holds that in dreams forbidden thought are distorted and disguised; in humor insults are veiled perhaps as compliments. Berger in an anatomy of humor (1993) introduces some important theories on humor, superiority theory, incongruity theory, psychoanalytic theory and conceptual theory, and offers a glossary of the basic techniques applied in humor.From the above writings, we can find that there have been abundant researches on humor from the views of functions and techniques of humor. However, there have been comparatively few researches relevant to cultural humor. There are only two relevant studies available. They are humor and laughter: An Anthropological Approach (1995) by Apte and National styles of Humor (1988) by Ziv. Therefore, the current study hopes to enrich researches on humor from the perspective of culture aspects. The humor is produced with the context and principle. The American linguistic Grice Cooperative Principle explained the situation. It includes Quantity Maxim, Quality Maxim, Relevant Maxim and Manner Maxim. Later, a famous scholar Leech developed the theory into Tact Maxim, Generosity Maxim, and Approbation Maxim, Modesty Maxim, Agreement Maxim and Sympathy Maxim. “Do you think that certain people can really predict the future with cards?”“My mum can. As soon as she takes a look at my report card, she can tell me exactly what will happen when my dad gets home.”The humor obeys the agreement maxim, however, it disobeys the principle of quantity maxim for the extra information. A college friend was going to meet a young lady he knew.“An old flame?” I asked. He winked and said, “more like an unlit match.”Old flame means lover. Apparently it does not refer to the fire. The ambiguity violates the Agreement Maxim.“I used to shoot tigers in Africa, “said a hunter. “Nonsense!” Exclaimed his friend. “There are no tigers in Africa! “Right you are, I shot them all!”Here, the hunter disobeys the Quality Maxim for the untrue information. And his friend disobeys the Approbation Maxim and Agreement Maxim.So in our daily life, we speak against the language principle unconsciously to achieve the aim of communication. We cannot correct the situation, but to use it properly. So we should connect it with the Polite Principle to make our life more and more harmonious and full of humorous. 2 Analysis on underlying culturesWhen one thinks of the cultural backgrounds of a nation, a large number of elements will come to their minds, including history, religion and some other factors. Humor runs a long history in English speaking counties. They have a tradition of humor, and it is an indispensable part in their lives, even a part of nature of them. The sense of humor consists one of the valuable characteristics of an outstanding person. To some extent, humor has formed a culture. It highly represents their intelligence and wisdom. Basically speaking, it contains some philosophical meanings and gives you a lot of meditations instead of a laugh. 2.1 IndividualismWhat is so highly valued by westerners is individualism, as the direct result of individualism; equality and freedom are highly valued. However, with the rapid changes of the society and peoples opinion, the concept of family in America has been challenged by the pursuit of individuals wealth and freedom. Even the importance of traditional nuclear family has reduced in American society; the increase of divorce rate and conflicts between generations cannot be ignored any more. And the imbalances between wealthy life and the problems in family have become poked fun at in jokes about family.Here is a humor(Boskin，1977：26)There was once a wife so jealous that when her husband came home one night and she could not find hairs on his jackets. She yelled at him, “great, so now you are cheating on me with a bald woman!” the next day, when she did not smell any perfume, she yelled again by saying, “she is not only bald, but she is too cheap to buy any perfume!” From the humor we can see the relationship between husband and wife in marriage life, among with the disbelief and cheating. It is resulted from their pursuit of individuals wealth and freedom. So the nuclear family relationship was challenged. However, the westerners are open-minded; they do not care about making such humors. 2.2 Religious BelievesHumor carries believes of the culture. Most people in English speaking countries are Christians. Some of them have strong faith in Bible, so the Christianity also appears in the humor.A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. “Mama, look what I found”, the boy called out. “What have you got there, dear?” with astonishment in the young boys voice, he answered, “I think it is Adams underwear!”The little boys strong belief made people loves him very much. At the same time, even such a little boy can speak so devoured words, to some extent; it reflected the religious tradition is deeply rooted.Here goes another humor.“Why dont you go to church?” asked the minister of the no churchgoer. “Well, Ill tell you. The first time I went to the church they threw water in my face. And the second time they tied me to a woman Ive had to keep ever since.”“Yes,” said the minister.” and the next time you go theyll throw dirt on you.” It is difficult to understand the previous humor if you do not master certain knowledge of English culture. “They threw water in my face” refers that when a baby was born his parents would send him to the minister to get baptized. “The second time tied me to a woman” means his marriage in the church. “The third time they will throw dirt on you” refers to his funeral after he died. The religious culture is the indispensable part of the culture. It can be seen everywhere in daily lives. Another example is that Chinese usually say May Buddha preserve us, while people in English speaking countries will say My God.2.3 Linear thinking patterns The law of jungle reflects their living attitude. Since 19th century, Darwins theory of evolution gives them great impression. It gives an explanation of the competition of the society. The whole society was considered as a jungle of human nature. As a result, the comedy Tarzan and Jane was on show in 1930s. Tarzan returns from work and demands of his dutiful companion, “Jane, I want a martini.” Jane is startle. “A martini?” Tarzan raises his voice, “Jane, I want a double martini.” Again Jane expresses surprise and asks, “Tarzan, why do you want a double martini? Tarzan looks intently at her and shouts, “Jane, it is a jungle out there.” From the excuse of Tarzan wanting a drink, we can see the great impact of jungle motif on them. They want more and more alcohols to relieve the competition in the outside world. They are really hard working at all cost, to fight against the world; they believe their competence that he can achieve any thing by mans efforts. However, to some extent, they destroy the peace relationship between people and nature. From this, we can see their working style and living attitude.2.4 Nationality and Their CharactersAs the development of the economy and impact of colonial history, UK, America, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are multi-ethnic and multi-races countries. Absolutely, these countries, white people as the dominant ethnic group tend to mock other minority ethnic groups, such as the Jews and the black. That produces Jewish humor and Negro humor. In such English humor, stereotypic images of the Jews and the black in view of the white can be easily and professionalism, etc.” and the black are lazy, stupid, dishonest, sexually immoral, with a preference for chicken and watermelon and characterized by animal sensuality. The humors, to some extent, relieved the tense atmosphere. Here is a humor from the African American. Sitting on a car after an exhausting day of seeking work, an unemployed black man winds up in a conversation with God, “Tell me, Lord, how come I am so black?” “YOU ARE BLACK SO YOU COULD WITHSTAND THE HOT RAYS OF THE SUN IN AFRICA.”“Tell me. Lord, how come my hair is so nappy?”“YOUR HAIR IS NAPPY SO THAT YOU WOULD NOT SWEAT UNDER THE HOT RAYS OF THE SUN IN AFRICA.”“Tell me, Lord, how came my legs are so long?”“YOUR LEGS ARE LONG SO THAT YOU COULD ESCAPE FROM THE WILD BEASTS IN AFRICA.”“Then tell me, Lord, what the hell am I doing in Chicago?”Obviously, the humor reveals the black slave trades in the early years in America. However, it also shows the openness of them. Different people and different nationalities live together and they are generous to accept almost culture of others. Though it is not easy, through their humorous, they can make it. So the sense of humor is a very important character for them. Exaggeratedly, even you can say he is murder better than you say that he is lack of the sense of humor. So even to the serious politics and careers, they can play jokes on them and accept it. Bill Clinton is visiting a school. In one class, he asks the students if anyone can give him an example of a tragedy. One little boy stands up and offers, “If my best friend who lives next door was playing in the street when a car came along and killed him, that would be a tragedy. “no,” Clinton say, “that would be an accident.”A girl raises her hand. “if a school has carrying fifty children drove o
