The Linguistics of Laughter: A corpus-assisted Study of Laughter-talk (Routledge Studies in Linguistics)

The Linguistics of Laughter examines what speakers try to achieve by producing ‘laughter-talk’ (the talk preceding and eliciting an episode of laughter) and, by using abundant examples from language corpora, what hearers are signalling when they produce laughter. In particular, Alan Partington focuses on the tactical use of laughter-talk to achieve specific rhetorical, and strategic, ends: for example, to construct an identity, to make an argumentative point, to threaten someone else’s face or save one's own. Although laughter and humour are by no means always related, the book also considers the implications these corpus-based observations may have about humour theory in general. As one of the first works to have recourse to such a sizeable databank of examples of laughter in spontaneous running talk, this impressive volume is an essential point of reference and an inspiration for scholars with an interest in corpus linguistics, discourse, humour, wordplay, irony and laughter-talk as a social phenomenon. This Book Examines What Speakers Try To Achieve By Producing 'laughter-talk' (the Talk Preceding And Eliciting An Episode Of Laughter) And, Using Abundant Examples From Language Corpora, What Hearers Are Signalling When They Produce Laughter. In Particular, The Author Focuses On The Tactical Use Of Laughter-talk To Achieve Specific Rhetorical And Strategic Ends: For Example, To Construct An Identity, To Make An Argumentative Point, To Threaten Someone Else's Face Or Save One's Own. Although Laughter And Humour Are By No Means Always Related, The Book Also Considers The Implications These Corpus-based Observations May Have About Humour Theory In General.--jacket. Laughter-talk : Research Questions And Methods -- Joke Humour Theory And Language Principles -- Laughter In Running Discourse : Shifts Of Mode, Narrative, Role And Register -- Face-work And The In-group -- Wordplay, Phraseplay And Relexicalization -- Teasing And Verbal Dueling -- Irony And Sarcasm. Alan Partington. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [248]-255) And Indexes. Using a corpus-linguistics approach, this book examines what speakers try to achieve by producing 'laughables' and what hearers are signalling when they produce laughter. It focuses on the tactical use of humour to achieve specific rhetorical ends. It also considers the implications these observations may have about humour theory in general Using a corpus-linguistics approach, this impressive volume examines what speakers try to achieve by producing?laughables? and what hearers are signalling when they produce laughter Using a corpus-linguistics approach, this impressive volume examines what speakers try to achieve by producing laughables and what hearers are signalling when they produce laughter