Humour in Chinese Life and Letters. Classical and Traditional Approaches.

Black and white illustrations, 291pp, notes, bibliography, index. Signed by author. Paperback covers a little soiled, otherwise a very good copy. "Humour in Chinese Life and Letters: Classical and Traditional Approaches presents an overview of humour and laughter in their many forms of expression in Chinese culture past and present. Verbal, visual and behavioural modes of humour are explored in fields ranging from cultural and political history to linguistics, literature, drama and the history and philosophy of science. How do Chinese societies approach humour in personal life and in the public sphere? This book addresses the etymological difficulties of "humour" as a concept in Chinese language and explores connections and contrasts with Western syles of humour. Periods discussed range from earliest tiems to the beginning of the twentieth century, covering many different forms of humour - verbal, visual and behavioural. The books brings together internationally respected scholars in Chinese studies with other specialists to explore humour through modes of enquiry in cultural and political history, linguistics, literature, drama and the history and philosophy of science. The unifying focus of the book is humour and laughter in their many forms in Chinese tradition and culture. Chapters are written in a common style. Readers more generally interested in humour and laughter - not well-understood forms of human behaviour - will also find the book casts light on significant differences int heir concepts and practice between cultures." Publisher's description.…