Meaning and Humour (Key Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics) - Softcover

Book 1 of 12: Key Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics

Goatly, Andrew

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9780521181068: Meaning and Humour (Key Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0521181062 ISBN 13: 9780521181068
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2012

Synopsis

How are humorous meanings generated and interpreted? Understanding a joke involves knowledge of the language code (a matter mostly of semantics) and background knowledge necessary for making the inferences to get the joke (a matter of pragmatics). This book introduces and critiques a wide range of semantic and pragmatic theories in relation to humour, such as systemic functional linguistics, speech acts, politeness and relevance theory, emphasising not only conceptual but also interpersonal and textual meanings. Exploiting recent corpus-based research, it suggests that much humour can be accounted for by the overriding of lexical priming. Each chapter's discussion topics and suggestions for further reading encourage a critical approach to semantic and pragmatic theory. Written by an experienced lecturer on the linguistics of the English language, this is an entertaining and user-friendly textbook for advanced students of semantics, pragmatics and humour studies.

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About the Author

Andrew Goatly is a professor in the Department of English at Lingnan University, Hong Kong.

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Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication date
2012
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0521181062
ISBN 13 
9780521181068
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
380
Rating
  • 4.10 out of 5 stars
    10 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9781107004634: Meaning and Humour (Key Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics)

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ISBN 10:  1107004632 ISBN 13:  9781107004634
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2012
Hardcover