Abstract

Verbal humor is a very important part in our verbal communication activities. As a special linguistic phenomenon, it has attracted a lot of people’s attention over centuries. Up to now, there are plenty of researches on humor in various fields. However, studies from the perspective of linguistics are not enough. Considering this, the thesis, based on Relevance Theory proposed by Sperber and Wilson, tries to analyze humor from the perspective of Relevance Theory. In the thesis, verbal humor is caused by the deviation of language form, meaning and context. On the basis of this study, people will understand verbal humor much better and deeper. Moreover, it will also promote English learners’ interests in verbal humor.

Key words: Relevance Theory, verbal humor, ostensive-inferential communication

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Background Information about Relevance Theory-2

   2.1 Definition of Relevance-2

   2.2 Ostensive-inferential Communication-3

   2.3 Principles of Relevance-3

3 Knowledge about Verbal Humor-5

   2.1 The Definition of Humor-5

   2.2 Classification of Humor-6

   2.3 Function of Humor-6

4 Analysis of Verbal Humor from Relevance Theory-7

  4.1 The Analysis from Form-deviated Humor-7

   4.2 The Analysis from Meaning-deviated Humor-9

   4.3 The Analysis from Context-deviated Humor-11

5 Conclusion-7

References-16