Abstract：In our daily communication, verbal humor is widely used. As an important language phenomenon and form, humor can bring the audience great happiness, release their pressure and maintain their relationships in verbal interaction. 

According to Adaptation Theory proposed by Jef Verschueren, language use is a continuous process of making linguistic choices with regard to the communicative context so as to achieve a desired purpose. From the perspective of Adaptation Theory, this study makes good use of verbal humor gotten from a representative situation comedy, Good Luck Charlie, as language materials and analyzes them from four aspects: contextual correlates of adaptability, structural objects of adaptability, dynamics of adaptability and salience of the adaptability processes. This study not only helps us better understand humorous language, but also assists us in well using and choosing language.

Keywords:  Adaptation Theory  the interpretation of verbal humor   Good Luck Charlie 

Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The General Description of the Study-1

1.2 The Significance of the Study-1

1.3 The Organization of the Study-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 The Introduction of Humor-3

2.1.1 The Definition of Humor-3

2.1.2 The Classification of Humor-3

2.1.3 The Functions of Humor-4

2.1.4 Previous Studies on the Interpretation of Humor-4

2.2 Verschueren’s Theory of Adaptation-5

2.2.1 Contextual Correlates of Adaptability-5

2.2.2 Structural Objects of Adaptability-6

2.2.3 Dynamics of Adaptability-6

2.2.4 Salience of the Adaptation Processes-7

Chapter Three Adaptation Theory and the Interpretation of Verbal Humor in Good Luck Charlie-8

3.1 A Brief Introduction of Good Luck Charlie-8

3.2 The Adaptation Analysis of the Interpretation of Verbal Humor-8

3.2.1 An Interpretation of Verbal Humor Based on Contextual Correlates of Adaptability-8

3.2.2 An Interpretation of Verbal Humor Based on Structural Objects of Adaptability-9

3.2.3 An Interpretation of Verbal Humor Based on Dynamics of Adaptability-10

3.2.4 An Interpretation of Verbal Humor Based on Salience of Adaptability Processes-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

References-14