Abstract:Verbal humor, as one of classifications of humor, expresses humorous ideas through language. Meanwhile sitcom has become an important carrier of humor for its own characteristics. In verbal humor, slang humor has been a hotspot of linguistics because of its unique characteristics. But linguistic form of slang is not included in most of the studies about verbal humor. Under the guidance of theoretical framework of the principles of discourse analysis, this paper attempts to analyze the linguistic form of humor produced by slang in the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory; and tries to find out the relationship between humor and linguistic form of slang. Hence, it will help people in non-English speaking countries to understand American culture and the characteristics of humor in slang. Among these three linguistic forms, rhetoric devices are most used in expressing humor ideas.

Key words: verbal humor; slang; discourse analysis

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review.1

2.1 Introduction to verbal humor and American slang

2.2 Introduction to discourse analysis

2.3 Introduction to The Big Bang Theory

3. Study of humor in The Big Bang Theory’s Slang.3

3.1 Humor in words and phrases

3.2 Humor in pronunciation

3.3 Humor in rhetorical devices

4. Conclusion9

Bibliography..10

Acknowledgement.11