The pragmatics of verbal parody

La parodia como evaluación: acerca del sketch televisivo en español

“…In recent times, parody has become a highly frequent discursive exercise in television programs, which is why television or informative parody can actually be described as a specific expression of humor. These developments are illustrated by means of Assuming that satire and parody share their basic features, Rossen-Knill & Henry (1997) argue that verbal parody is a speech act, as defined by J. Searle, and propose four essential features identifying it:…”

“…For this reason, it is important to consider which language is used, who is the addressee of the mockery, which procedures are used to flaunt that parody, who is criticized and how and, finally, how 'comicity' or humor is produced. -Knill & Henry (1997) explain that the comic act of parody is achieved, amongst other aspects, through the selection of a linguistic form and a target. In our view, these linguistic elements represent evaluative elements at the service of mockery, the foundation of parody and, consequently, of humor.…”

“…According to Rossen-Knill & Henry (1997), parody integrates an intentional verbal representation comprised by a specific linguistic form and a target of the mockery. Following the GTVH proposal presented in § 2, the target becomes one of the main knowledge resources.…”

“…The sketch in question is supported on the structure of infomercials for medicines and uses sociocultural data such as the economic crisis and the increase in the number of unemployed people in Spain. More precisely, the actor José Luis Gil, better known by his roles in TV series such as (1) Dr. Lilly: hola/hola// soy el doctor Lilly de los laboratorios Hoffman y estoy aquí para PREsentarles una nueva GAMA de medicamentos para sobrevivir a estos tiempos tan difíciles// por fin se legaliza en nuestro país la primera píldora anestesiadora de conciencias The postulates established by Rossen-Knill & Henry (1997), and the analysis of markers and indicators as evaluation procedures, indicators and markers will be analyzed according to the GTVH proposal. Let us start with the strategies utilized in this sketch.…”

“…The intentional verbal representation consequently uses evaluative elements, among which stand out markers and indicators. The Intentional Verbal Representation described by Rossen-Knill & Henry (1997) entails the infringement of pragmatic principles; according to Levinson (2000) and Rodríguez-Rosique (2009) the quality prerequisite is firstly infringed through the construction of an obviously false context which evokes the original one. Certain markers contribute to the generation of this humorous environment, such as kinesic elements (gestures of support or assent) or laughter.…”