Understanding Language through Humor Paperback – October 31, 2011
by Stanley Dubinsky (Author), Chris Holcomb (Author)
Students often struggle to understand linguistic concepts through examples of language data provided in class or in texts. Presented with ambiguous information, students frequently respond that they don't 'get it'. The solution is to find an example of humour that relies on the targeted ambiguity. Once they laugh at the joke, they have tacitly understood the concept, and then it is only a matter of explaining why they found it funny. Utilizing cartoons and jokes illustrating linguistic concepts, this book makes it easy to understand these concepts, while keeping the reader's attention and interest. Organized like a course textbook in linguistics, it covers all the major topics in a typical linguistics survey course, including communication systems, phonetics and phonology, morphemes, words, phrases, sentences, language use, discourses, child language acquisition and language variation, while avoiding technical terminology.
Review
'Understanding Language through Humor is ingenious in its conception and deft in its execution. A sure bestseller.' Frederick J. Newmeyer, University of Washington, University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University
Book Description
An entertaining entry point into linguistics for those who are interested in language but who might never consider thinking about it in linguistic terms. It is a general introduction to linguistics and linguistic concepts, avoiding technical terminology, using the vehicle of jokes and cartoons.
Product Details
Paperback: 212 pages
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0521713889
ISBN-13: 978-0521713887
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
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