Analyzing conversational data in GTVH terms: A new approach to the issue of identity construction via humor

Abstract

The central aim of this paper is to apply the General Theory of Verbal Humor (henceforth GTVH; Attardo 2001) to conversational narratives and to integrate it with sociopragmatic approaches. We consider script opposition as a necessary prerequisite for humor and its perlocutionary effect (i.e. eliciting laughter) as a secondary criterion for the characterization of a narrative as humorous. Despite the fact that one of the most common social functions of humor is the construction of solidarity and in-group identity, there is relatively little sociolinguistic research on this issue. Thus, a more particular aim of this paper is to illustrate how humor can be a flexible discourse strategy to construct particular aspects of social identities by focusing on a particular aspect of humor encoded in GTVH terms as the knowledge resource of “target”. It will be shown that, in our conversational data coming from a cohesive group of young Greek males, interlocutors select targets either outside or inside their group and that, while in the first case humor criticizes the “other” behavior, in the latter case it serves as a correction mechanism of in-group behavior in a rather covert manner. In both cases, the target of humor reinforces the already existing bonds among group members, while bringing the evaluative dimension of humor to the surface. It is therefore suggested that the target of humor is an important heuristic tool for describing its social function, revealing how it is exploited by conversationalists to project their shared beliefs and values, i.e. their social identity.

Teasing in contact encounters: Frames, participant positions and responses

“…In the case of the members of a close-knit peer group, however, teasing is seen as a relatively 'safe' activity (Eisenberg 1986: 193; see also Holmes 2000), rendering such disclaimers superfluous. This suggests the development of habitual 'teasing relationships' among peers which are reminiscent of the 'customary joking relationships' established among friendship pairs or groups discussed by Norrick (1993: 3; see also Archakis and Tsakona (2005) on in-group targeting humour among members of a close-knit all-male group of Greek young adults).…”

“…Hirschon 1992;Mackridge 1992) and in Greek oral and written discourse in particular (e.g. Antonopoulou and Sifianou 2003;Archakis and Tsakona 2005;Canakis 199;Georgakopoulou 2000). More specifically, in their study on humour in Greek telephone opening exchanges, Antonopoulou and Sifianou (2003: 747Ϫ748) identify a certain 'readiness to play' on the part of callers and answerers, who are close friends.…”

Doing indiscipline in narrative performances

“…Such a framing, however, does not downplay the negative evaluation of his teacher (cf. Archakis & Tsakona, 2005).…”

Una propuesta de estudio para el humor en la conversación coloquial

“…Como hemos dicho anteriormente, la mayoría de los estudios que se han realizado sobre la relación que existe entre ironía y humor se fundamentan en el análisis del concepto de agresión 3 , ya que, hasta el momento, se han obtenido ideas preconcebidas sobre ironía y humor como formas que se utilizan en la interacción para mostrar la superioridad del hablante frente al oyente (Ritchie, 2005;Norrick, 1993;Kotthoff, 2003;Rogerson-Revell 2007;Archakis y Tsakona, 2005, entre otros).…”

“…Así, a pesar de que la mayoría de los trabajos relacionados con el humor desarrollan la idea de que el humor es un modo de agresión, como Ritchie (2005), Norrick (1993), Kotthoff (2003), Rogerson-Revell (2007) o Archakis y Tsakona (2005), entre otros; algunos de ellos incluyen la idea de que el humor puede ser una forma de cohesionar a un grupo conversacional (Norrick, 2003(Norrick, : 1342Alba Juez, 2000, 2001. Por eso, nosotros nos centramos en demostrar que nuestra hipótesis de partida sobre la existencia de un humor positivo es verídica, y nos basamos en trabajos que estudian el humor y sus efectos, ya que en muchas ocasiones humor e ironía van unidos en el enunciado, desde un punto de vista verbal, y se pueden aplicar a enunciados de géneros no propiamente humorísticos.…”