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1、Comparative Analysis of Humorous Discourses AbstractHumor is a unique product of human civilization, which is shown through the language dialogue.In this way, through the comparative study of Chinese and English, it can not only help language learners to understand the phenomenon of humor, but also
2、add a different color in daily conversation, writing and other aspects also.Life has a wide variety of humor, and both Chinese and English has no lack of humor. It will exist in the written words, provide some entertainment and amusement for us readers, and also exist in daily conversation, which pr
3、ovides some thoughts beyond entertainment.As a Chinese English learner, we must learn to appreciate the language, especially in beauty of humorous discourses, so we should learn and understand humorous discourses to improve reading interest, reading appreciation ability, and enhance the ability of i
4、ntercultural communication.This paper describes the definition of humor, functions and nature, and a review of the research progress in psychology and linguistics aspects of humorous discourse. Through the comparative study of Chinese and English humor history, this thesis is the development process
5、 of Chinese and English humorous discourses, as well as the contrastive analysis of linguistic aspects, concerning their causes and differences. The research results of this thesis can be a bit instructive in the appreciation of humorous discourses. 摘要幽默是人类文明独有的产物，是通过语言对话来展现的。这样，通过对中西方言语幽默的对比研究不仅能帮助
6、语言学习者更好的理解幽默现象，而且在会话，写作等方面也会增添别样的色彩。生活中有各种各样的幽默，汉语英语都不缺乏，它会存在于语言文字幽默，给我们读者提供一些消遣和娱乐，也会存在于日常会话当中，提供娱乐之外的一些思考。作为汉语英语的学习者，我们必须学会欣赏语言，尤其是语言中的幽默美，所以我们应该去学习、理解幽默话语从而提高阅读兴趣、阅读鉴赏能力，进而增强跨文化交际的能力。本文首先讨论了幽默的定义，功能和本质，并回顾了幽默话语在心理学以及语言学方面的一些研究进展。通过中英幽默话语历史起源的对比研究，本文从中英幽默话语的发展历程角度进行了语言学方面的对比分析，涉及中英文幽默话语的不同点以及导致的原因
7、。本文的研究结论对欣赏幽默话语具有一定的启发作用。关键词：幽默话语，起源与发展，语言学分析ContentsAcknowledgements1Abstract2摘要3Contents41.Introduction51.1Cognition of humor51.2 General idea and structure62.Literature Review72.1 Definitions of humor72.2 Humorous discourse82.2.1 Psychological approaches82.2.2 Linguistic approaches93.Historical C
8、omparison of humorous discourse103.1Origin of humor in Chinese103.2Origin of humorin English114.Development of Chinese and English humor124.1 Chinese humor134.2English humor135.Their causes and differences155.1 Difference in national characters155.2 Difference in aims and ideologies155.3 Difference
9、in way of thinking165.4 English humor176.Conclusion18References .191. Introduction1.1 Cognition of humorHumorous discourse is a regular linguistic phenomenon which brings us a colorful, fascinating life. In addition to the enjoyment, the pragmatic function of humor discourse cant be neglected. Humor
10、ous discourse promotes a better interpersonal relationship, encouraging people to face difficulties actively. Nowadays using humorous discourse correctly will promote the communication developing successfully. By researching the humor discourse of those English speaking countries, English learners c
11、an gain more information about their culture. We can understand their way of humor and will not cause communication barriers because of different culture. Learning the essence of other countries humor culture to enrich ours will make our Chinese humor culture much colorful in a certain extent. Whats
12、 more, under the economic globalization, cultural communication become more frequent, thus the diversity of humorous discourse will broaden our mind.Maybe we dont realize but we cant deny that humor is important and necessary. Humor can change our culture and lives, minds and experiences. We do need
13、 humor whatever in daily life, academy or politics.The existence and use of humor is a common sociolinguistics phenomenon. Humor plays a very important role in expressing peoples ideals and communication. The charm of humorous discourse bases on speakers unique language skills and languages culture
14、background. Humor is a distinct feature of English language. To make sure that cross-cultural communication is carrying on smoothly, however understanding humorous discourse of English speaking country is quite important. In social communication, people may have some awkwardness. In order to avoid t
15、he awkwardness, this article coming with the definition, production, constitution, ways of using roundly compare and analyze the humorous discourse between Chinese and English.1.2 General idea and structureHumor has been the subject of many scholars and has played an important role in the work of ma
16、ny great writers. But what is meant by “humor”? And what is the nature of “humor”? Many scholars try to answer these questions from the variousfields.Nowadays, humor has much more connections with linguistics, because language and humor have inseparable relation. First, language has become the theme
17、 of humorous discourse. Second, the comprehension, appreciation, and development of humor are determinedto a large degree, by the cultural attitudes and values associated with it andby the use andfunction of language insociety.This paper will discuss the origin and development of humorous discourses
18、 in Chinese and English concerning their causes and differences. Regarding humorous discourse as a valuable resources instead of lifeless rules. In order to help people have a better understanding or appreciation of humorous discourses, this thesis take into account many scholars view of humor theor
19、ies and the comparison and analysis of humor in both languages.2. Literature review2.1 Definitions of humorThere are plenty of resources about what is humor while the definitions have a large diversity. Humor can be a kind of fluid in body, a disposition of characteristics or habits.Humor may be a q
20、uality, mind or a kind of hobby. Someone makes humor a positive attitude and a lifestyle. Others make it an ability to express, discover and appreciate the funny part and the absolutely incongruous. Humor is also created to be laughable and entertaining.“Humor”is originated from the word “(h) m r-(h
21、) mor” for“liquid” or“fluid” in Latin (Xu Lixin 2003:1), and has a great relation with the “theory of humors” inMedieval medicine (Attardo 1994:9). During the early western period, Hippocrates (460 BC-377? BC) created the physiological theory, and humor is regarded as one of the four fluids in human
22、 body: First, blood (representing heatemanating from the humans heart,),phlegm (representing coldcomingfrom the humans brain,), choler (representing dryness,secretedby the liver, yellow bile), and melancholy (representing water,originating inthe spleen and stomach, black bile). The alternate mixing
23、these“humors” in different people were considered to modify their qualities both physically and mentally, as well as the dispositions of them. An imbalance of these four fluids resulted in disease (Humphrey 1982:36; Chen 1988: 14; McHenry1993:123). By the 16th century, “humor” actually became a stup
24、id action orshortcoming. Then, several centuries later, the term of humor had become to use in ones state of mind or mood generally.Jonson (1527-1637) consideredthe definition of humor that it is avery strong quality ofa person which all his feelings, desires and talent obey and under which they all
25、chase in the same direction, shares some same ideas with theconcept of humor in the middle ages.While in modern usage, humor is defined to be a kind ofquality or mood, and different from its original usage.In physiological part,humor is considered to be a means of communication which will bring amus
26、ement illuminates or lead to a facial reaction: the reaction of laughing. In this way, it is the most scientific definition of humor and the least controversial. Spontaneously laughing is produced by the fifteen facial musclescoordinated contraction in a stereotyped pattern and accompanied by altere
27、d breathing (Koestler 1993:626).In general, the definitions of humor is divided into four categories: a capacity or quality of a speaker, a situation of the discourse orfeature, the objective expression (in the form of the event, situation itself, literary works, or other discourses) and a skill of
28、expression.2.2 Humorous discourse2.2.1 Psychological ApproachesPsychological analyses of linguistic humor have been based on the notion ofincongruityand resolution (Pepicello1983:73). What is incongruity? Incongruity means that the situation or nature of things contradicting itself. Beattie thought
29、humor is the combine of two wrongly matched idea. Kant and Schopenhauer considered that incongruity is an important element of producing humor. One of the necessary conditions of humor is the difference between expectation and reality which is incongruity. In Suls view, incongruity is a major requis
30、ite in judging discourses are humorous or not.The ability of producing, understanding and appreciating humorous discourses make a great influence on cultural intercommunication and interaction. Detailed and comprehensive research on humor will enhance the interactive development of other subjects su
31、ch as science, psychology, sociology, cross-culture communication and so on. Although the exploration of humor originated from ancient Greek, all the time this research field presenting the situation of a hundred schools of thought contending. So far there is no theory which can provide a systematic
32、 statement of all aspects in humor. Maybe it is because the humor phenomenon is so complex. Different scholars can only do sub-study through different ways. After every branch has a quiet great progress, a mature macroscopic theory will be established. 2.2.2 Linguistic approachesAmong all the lingui
33、stic studies in humorous discourse, it seems that semantic approaches are the rage, which focus on the linguistic form of the humorous line.So far the researches only fall on the social factors and pragmatic-oriented studies of humor. These researches have the inadequacy of the lack of linguistic an
34、alysis humor from the perspective of our society.The linguistic analyses of riddles and especially types of linguistic humor were summarizes by Pepicello. He puts emphasis on developments and changes of childrens linguistic humor and also views that the research on linguistic and psychological of hu
35、mor should be combined and complimentary.3. History comparison of humorous discourse between Chinese and English3.1Origin of humorous discourse in ChineseAccording to history records, Chinese humor originated from the Period of pre-Qin days. In around the 8th century B.C. (late XiZhou Dynasty), ther
36、e was a career called “you” (优) in kings palace. “You” needed to entertain the aristocrats and the king. In history, these people were called “Fei You”(徘优); “Fei” is the old name of funny drama. In ancient China, a person who is a player or an actor can be called “You”. Most of the time “You” will c
37、ome to perform funny dramas for the king and aristocrats which can help them to correct their mistakes or problems however not point out the faults of them directly.During that period, even if “You” said something not appropriate will not be seen as offending the superior and will not be punished be
38、cause of an unwritten rule. Whats more there was another form of “You” called “Ran You” which try to pleasing the king by using some humorous ways such as satire, witty remarks, metaphors, funny plays and so on. In Qu yuans work Jiu Zhang Huaisha (九章怀沙), the word “humor”(youmo) was found first time.
39、 “Xu xiyaoyao, kongjingyoumo”(煦兮杳杳,孔静幽默) but it means soundless and silence. During the Han Dynasty, “Records of the Historian” written by SimaQian has one chapter which entitled “HuajiLiezhuan” (滑稽列传), recording the earliest humorists of ancient China such as ChunyuXu(淳于隽) and Youmeng (优孟). Connect
40、ing satire with funny dramas and plays in tradition impacted on the development of Chinese comedies andhumorous discourse. When it came to the period of feudalism, “Feiyou” began to make fun of officials not only the king. These were some changes on its function. In the historyrecords of pre-Qin day
41、s,there were plenty of folk jokes and fables which contained lots of ironies and satires in daily life. They showed Chinese traditional humors which are brief in meaning. In the Book of Songs(诗经), the first Chinese collection of poems and songs, many folks and poems or songs with humorous discourse
42、were recorded. Chinese humorous discourse is characterized by allegory and symbolization and whose purpose is to give education to society.3.2Origin of humorous discourse in EnglishThe origin of humor in English came from the Latin word: “humorr”. In ancient Greek, Hypecrats who was a doctor thought
43、 that humor had four types:the blood, phlegm, yellow bile orcholer, and black bile or melancholy, which had a great influence on human beings temperament and health.Those four fluid control the balance of human being. The earliest literally recorded humor appeared in the 8th century B.C. in ancient
44、Greece. The ironic attitudes to the clan society and its thought initiate the beginning of humor.In the period of Slave society in Greece, the prelude of Greek humor is considered to be a poem with satire which showed a funny image of life ideal in clan society. There is no better example of humor o
45、rigin than Aesops fables. Those classic masterpieces bring later generation enlightenment of humorous discourses. The modern meaning of humor was defined in 1682 in Britain (Jean Blamer 1907) and it was SchvitzBrili using the word “humor” of its modern meaning in 1709 in his book “The Relations amon
46、g Sensitivity: On Freedom in Jokes and Humor” The widespread use of the word humor should be attributed to the British humanist writer Tom Jones. He created two works. One was “Different Habits” and the other was “Different Personality”. Both of the two works were famous for their humorous discourse
47、. In his comic representative “Volpernie”, all the characters were created by the temperament, such as the name of “fox”, “fly”, “eagle” and “crow” and so on. Meanwhile the theories of Joneshumor spread out. As for the theory of humor, Plato firstlyaccepted some paradoxical theories; in Aristotles v
48、iew the author recognizes the well known superiority theory.4 Development of Chinese and English humor4.1 Development of Chinese humorIn the period of Wei and Jin Dynasty in Chinese history, the development of humor in China experienced its another striking stage. Handan Chun(邯郸淳), a writer of the Three Kingdoms(三国), wrote three volumes of Xiao Lin Forests of Jokes(笑林), which was the first book about humorous discourse. However, these humorous discourses were also ironic about the politics of that time.The earliest use of the wor