Abstract:  This paper aims to analyze the humorous lines in the American series The Big Bang Theory from the perspective of violation against Cooperative Principle. The study of humor covers many academic fields. However, the research on verbal humor from the perspective of pragmatics is more and more important. Cooperative Principle (CP), which states that conversationalists should obey some rules to keep the communication smooth, is put forward by American linguists Grice. Then scholars find that violating CP can produce humor in communication and it is important for the hearer to understand more than literal meaning. The paper gives a brief introduction of humor and analyzes the humorous lines based on the violation of CP and the humorous effects brought by verbal humor. It explores the inner relation between humor and CP, which is a help for people to appreciate American humor and improve their cross-cultural communicative competence.

Key words: Cooperative Principle; violation; humor; humorous effects

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework1

2.1Introduction of Humor

2.1.1 Definition of Humor

2.1.2 Classification of Humor

2.2 Introduction of Cooperative Principle

2.2.1 Four Maxims of Cooperative Principle

2.2.2 Violation of Cooperative Principle

2.3 Overseas and Domestic Research Status 

3. Violation against CP of Humorous Lines in The Big Bang Theory. 7

3.1 Violation of Quantity maxim and Humor Production

3.1.1 More Information

3.1.2 Less Information

3.2 Violation of Quality Maxim and Humor Production

3.2.1 Lack of Evidence

3.2.2 False Contribution

  3.3 Violation of Relation Maxim and Humor Production

  3.4 Violation of Manner Maxim and Humor Production

 3.4.1 Obscurity of Expression

 3.4.2 Ambiguity of Expression

 3.4.3 Prolixity of Expression

 3.4.4 Disorder of Expression

4. Effects on Humorous Communication of Violation against CP in The Big Bang Theory12

4.1 Realizing Sarcasm 

4.2 Getting Rid of Embarrassment

4.3 Shaping Personal Image

5. Conclusion .13

Bibliography15

Acknowledgements.16