The Language of Humor: An Introduction - Softcover

Nilsen, Don L. F.; Nilsen, Alleen Pace

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108403964 ISBN 13: 9781108403962

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2018

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review:

'A hilarious romp through a cornucopia of examples on a dizzying variety of subjects. Quintessential Nilsens' work!' Salvatore Attardo, Texas A & M University

'... a must read for any of us in humor studies, English, and several other disciplines ... the perfect complement to the former papers on each of the topics covered, all gathered in one readable and clearly written volume. The field of humor research is, as always, greatly enhanced by the Nilsens, and no library would be complete without their newest compilation.' Joyce M. Saltman, Professor Emeritus, Southern Connecticut State University

Book Description:

This book explores how humor can be explained, in order to aid communication. Accessible to a wide readership of not only students and teachers of language and linguistics, but also those in related disciplines to which the understanding and use of humor is relevant, such as literature, psychology, anthropology, and the performing arts.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1108403964
• ISBN 13: 9781108403962
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 402