Getting the joke: Humor, Cognitive grammar, encyclopedic meaning and the semantics/pragmatics interface David Tuggy SIL-Mexico.

Getting the joke:Getting the joke:Humor, Cognitive Humor, Cognitive

grammar, encyclopedic grammar, encyclopedic meaning and the meaning and the

semantics/pragmatics semantics/pragmatics interfaceinterface

David TuggyDavid TuggySIL-MexicoSIL-Mexico

““Existence proofs” from Existence proofs” from humorhumor

Humor often involves somewhat Humor often involves somewhat extreme uses of language.extreme uses of language.

This makes certain aspects of the This makes certain aspects of the nature of meaning more obvious or nature of meaning more obvious or difficult to ignore.difficult to ignore.

Many jokes use “indirection.”Many jokes use “indirection.” I.e., the speaker purposefully avoids I.e., the speaker purposefully avoids

mentioning crucial meaning, because mentioning crucial meaning, because it is funnier if people “tumble to” that it is funnier if people “tumble to” that meaning themselves.meaning themselves.

Such jokes give an “existence proof” Such jokes give an “existence proof” for encyclopedic meaning.for encyclopedic meaning.

E.g. The Chicken JokeE.g. The Chicken Joke The animals are arguing over which The animals are arguing over which

one is the biggest, baddest and one is the biggest, baddest and scariest of them all.scariest of them all.

““I just growl, and all the animals in I just growl, and all the animals in the forest scurry out of my way.”the forest scurry out of my way.”

The Chicken JokeThe Chicken Joke

““I roar, and the whole savannah I roar, and the whole savannah trembles with fear.”trembles with fear.”

The Chicken JokeThe Chicken Joke

““Ha, that’s Ha, that’s nothing. All I nothing. All I do is cough, do is cough, and the and the whole world whole world freaks out!”freaks out!”


Meaning evoked by Meaning evoked by chickenchicken includes (though it is never mentioned includes (though it is never mentioned explicitly) explicitly) BIRD FLUBIRD FLU..

tʃɪˈ

Meaning evoked by Meaning evoked by coughcough includes includes BIRD FLUBIRD FLU as well. as well. Unless you get the connection to Unless you get the connection to BIRD FLUBIRD FLU you don’t you don’t

get the joke.get the joke.

BIRD FLU

kɔf


tʃɪˈ

Of course Of course BIRD FLUBIRD FLU is not a central is not a central specification of either specification of either chickenchicken or or coughcough. .

BIRD FLU

kɔf


tʃɪˈ

But any theory of meaning that does not allow But any theory of meaning that does not allow for the existence and availability of such for the existence and availability of such peripheral meanings has to be wrong.peripheral meanings has to be wrong.

BIRD FLU

kɔf

Not why, but how is it Not why, but how is it funny?funny?

At issue here is not why (or if, or to At issue here is not why (or if, or to what degree) a joke like the chicken what degree) a joke like the chicken joke is funny.joke is funny.

We will concentrate on how it is funny, We will concentrate on how it is funny, i.e. what does it take to get the joke. i.e. what does it take to get the joke.

You can get the joke and not find it You can get the joke and not find it funny, of course.funny, of course.

But if you don’t get the joke and still But if you don’t get the joke and still find it funny, you are in fact laughing find it funny, you are in fact laughing at a different joke.at a different joke.

Still …Still …

Note how much less funny the chicken Note how much less funny the chicken joke would be if the chicken said “People joke would be if the chicken said “People are so afraid of bird flu that when I cough are so afraid of bird flu that when I cough they think I have it and they freak out.”they think I have it and they freak out.”

Skillful indirection is among the things we Skillful indirection is among the things we find funny, thus a good ingredient for find funny, thus a good ingredient for jokes.jokes.

Language and Culture-Language and Culture-bound humorbound humor

Clearly much humor is culture-Clearly much humor is culture-bound.bound.

Some is, in addition, language-bound Some is, in addition, language-bound ∃∃ puns and other form-based word-play. puns and other form-based word-play.

You expect that to be language-bound.You expect that to be language-bound.

Language and Culture-Language and Culture-bound humorbound humor

Much meaning-based humor is still Much meaning-based humor is still language- and/or culture-bound.language- and/or culture-bound. The chicken joke is fairly translatable (e.g. The chicken joke is fairly translatable (e.g.

to Spanish or Russian) and “works” in to Spanish or Russian) and “works” in those modern cultures.those modern cultures. (Though it worked better a couple of years (Though it worked better a couple of years

ago!)ago!) You could not expect it to work in the You could not expect it to work in the

Yanomamo or Sumerian cultures. Yanomamo or Sumerian cultures. If they heard it and thought it funny, it If they heard it and thought it funny, it

would quite certainly be because of other would quite certainly be because of other connections.connections.

It would be a different joke, in fact.It would be a different joke, in fact.

What does it take to “get What does it take to “get the joke”?the joke”?

(Traditionally) Meaning = semantics + (Traditionally) Meaning = semantics + pragmatics.pragmatics.

Much humor plays around on the Much humor plays around on the pragmatics/semantics interface.pragmatics/semantics interface.

Semantics is largely culture-specific. Semantics is largely culture-specific. Many assume pragmatics is not.Many assume pragmatics is not.

Cognitive Grammar (= CG, Langacker Cognitive Grammar (= CG, Langacker 1987, 1991, 2004) has, I think, some 1987, 1991, 2004) has, I think, some interesting things to say in this regard.interesting things to say in this regard.

Inclusion = Connection Inclusion = Connection (the Container metaphor)(the Container metaphor)

Under CG, meanings consist of Under CG, meanings consist of cognitive (mental) structures cognitive (mental) structures activated through (associative) activated through (associative) mental linkages.mental linkages.

Representing such linked structures Representing such linked structures as “contents” via the “Container as “contents” via the “Container Metaphor” is not illegitimate, but it Metaphor” is not illegitimate, but it must not be pressed to hard. must not be pressed to hard.


We used oval “shells” in the diagram to represent We used oval “shells” in the diagram to represent BIRD FLUBIRD FLU as “included” in the meanings of as “included” in the meanings of chickenchicken and and coughcough. These, like the phrase “the meaning”, are . These, like the phrase “the meaning”, are high-level reifications.high-level reifications.

It is equally right to represent the meaning with It is equally right to represent the meaning with linkages. linkages.

BIRD FLU

tʃɪˈ

BIRD FLU

kɔf


In fact, the “concepts” we connect turn out, when In fact, the “concepts” we connect turn out, when examined, to be collections of connections.examined, to be collections of connections.

Thus when we “shell” them that also is a reification. Thus when we “shell” them that also is a reification. They are notational variants of systems of linkages.They are notational variants of systems of linkages.

BIRD FLU

tʃɪˈ kɔftʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly

beak, feathers, wings, etc.

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary

chest/diaphragm contracts suddenly

usually repeated

air emerges from mouth

sore throat

BIRD FLU

SCIENTISTS predicted epidemic

virus

widespread fear

etc.

Central/Peripheral Central/Peripheral meaningsmeanings

The difference between central and peripheral The difference between central and peripheral specifications is a matter ofspecifications is a matter of How likely it is (to the point of inevitability) that a How likely it is (to the point of inevitability) that a

specification gets activated.specification gets activated. How strongly it (usually) gets activatedHow strongly it (usually) gets activated

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

Central / peripheral Central / peripheral meaningsmeanings

Such collections of central and peripheral Such collections of central and peripheral meanings constitute “encyclopedic meaning”.meanings constitute “encyclopedic meaning”.

CG, from the beginning, insisted on the legitimacy CG, from the beginning, insisted on the legitimacy and importance of encyclopedic meaning.and importance of encyclopedic meaning.

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS

CHICKEN CROSS THE

ROAD

WHOOPING COUGH

COUGH UP FOOD

ETC. ETC.

What is the difference What is the difference between Semantics and between Semantics and

Pragmatics?Pragmatics? CG says that to be part of a CG says that to be part of a

language, meanings (or other language, meanings (or other cognitive structures) must be not justcognitive structures) must be not just CommonCommon: shared by the relevant people : shared by the relevant people

(esp. interlocutors in a communication (esp. interlocutors in a communication situation)situation)

but alsobut also Conventional(ized)Conventional(ized): Established as : Established as

common common by usageby usage..


Pragmatics?Pragmatics? I will take I will take

conventionality/conventionalization as a conventionality/conventionalization as a major difference between Semantics major difference between Semantics and Pragmaticsand Pragmatics

Conventionality is clearly a matter of Conventionality is clearly a matter of degree, not a plus-or-minus issue.degree, not a plus-or-minus issue.

A continuum, not a A continuum, not a dichotomydichotomy

We will use a color gradation to represent We will use a color gradation to represent this.this.

Yellow = (strongly) established, light blue = Yellow = (strongly) established, light blue = not yet established, light green = in betweennot yet established, light green = in between

Degree of conventionalization

Highly conventional= Semantic

Not yet conventional= Pragmatic/Constructed


Pragmatics?Pragmatics? Semantic structures are Semantic structures are

conventionalized.conventionalized. Pragmatic structures are not (yet),Pragmatic structures are not (yet), But they often are commonBut they often are common And if they are not at first, they And if they are not at first, they

become so during the become so during the communication process.communication process.

Constructed meaningsConstructed meanings

Many larger-scale meanings are also not yet Many larger-scale meanings are also not yet conventionalized, but are not usually conventionalized, but are not usually considered pragmatic.considered pragmatic.

These are constructed meanings.These are constructed meanings. For instance, in the Chicken joke, the idea of For instance, in the Chicken joke, the idea of

a chicken coughing is clearly meant.a chicken coughing is clearly meant. But this notion is not a pre-established part But this notion is not a pre-established part

of English for most users not familiar with of English for most users not familiar with the joke.the joke.

It is constructed through the combination of It is constructed through the combination of lexical items and syntactic patterns used.lexical items and syntactic patterns used.

Constructed meanings Constructed meanings and blendingand blending

Although it Although it is fairly is fairly closely closely controlled, controlled, it involves it involves a degree of a degree of “blending”, “blending”, and is not and is not entirely entirely predictablepredictable..

tʃɪˈ (sez, ajdʒəstˌ ) kɔfˈ

tʃɪˈ kɔf

BIRD FLU


This This blended, blended, constructed constructed meaning meaning strongly strongly activates activates the concept the concept BIRD FLUBIRD FLU..


tʃɪˈ kɔf

BIRD FLU


Pragmatics?Pragmatics? As the “mental leaps” needed to achieve the As the “mental leaps” needed to achieve the

proper blend become less and less overtly proper blend become less and less overtly constrained, people tend to talk of pragmatic constrained, people tend to talk of pragmatic “inferences”.“inferences”.

Again, the difference between them and Again, the difference between them and constructed meanings is one of degree—constructed meanings is one of degree—degree of coercion or control over what degree of coercion or control over what meanings are to be achieved.meanings are to be achieved. With semantic or constructed meanings you tell With semantic or constructed meanings you tell

people what to think of.people what to think of. With pragmatic meanings you hope they will think With pragmatic meanings you hope they will think

of the right thing. of the right thing.

Deictic Pragmatic conceptsDeictic Pragmatic concepts

Some pragmatic structures I will call Some pragmatic structures I will call “deictic pragmatic”.“deictic pragmatic”.

They consist of concepts that are They consist of concepts that are common to the interlocutors from the common to the interlocutors from the immediate context of speech, which immediate context of speech, which have not yet been conventionalized have not yet been conventionalized by usage. by usage.

Deictic Pragmatic conceptsDeictic Pragmatic concepts

I purposely did I purposely did not mention not mention the bear and the bear and the lion by the lion by name, but name, but showing their showing their pictures made pictures made the salient the salient concept of concept of them common them common to us as a to us as a group.group.

This allowed us This allowed us to identify who to identify who was speaking.was speaking.

But it didn’t tell But it didn’t tell you linguistically you linguistically who it was.who it was.

Most deictic Most deictic pragmatic pragmatic concepts are concepts are even less even less coercive.coercive.

Different kinds of meaningsDifferent kinds of meanings

Constructed Meaning:

Non-established meaning a speaker intends and a hearer puts together, closely guided

by linguistic convention, (using mostly semantic

resources, including established constructional

meanings).

Semantic Meaning:

Meaning already established in the linguistic system and

evoked by signifiant (phonological) or other

semantic structures

Closely controlled/specified meaning:

Deictic Meaning:Meaning common to the

interlocutors in the specific situation but not (yet) established by usage as part of their common

linguistic system. Linked to, rather than evoked by, semantic

meanings.

Meaning that is

already common

Inferred Meaning:

Meaning a speaker intends and a hearer puts together,

only loosely guided by linguistic convention, using both semantic and deictic

resources.

Meaning that becomes common as

you talk

Pragmatic meaning

Different kinds of meaningsDifferent kinds of meanings

The The categoricategories fade es fade or blend or blend into into each each other.other. Constructed

Meaning:Non-established meaning a speaker intends and a hearer puts together, closely guided



meanings).

Semantic Meaning:


evoked by signifiant (phonological) or other

semantic structures

Closely controlled/specified meaning:




meanings.

Meaning that is

already common

Inferred Meaning:



resources.

Meaning that becomes common as

you talk

Pragmatic meaning

Semantic Meaning:


evoked by signifiant (phonol.) structures or by other semantic structures




meanings.

Inferred Meaning:



resources.

Constructed Meaning:

Non-established meaning a speaker intends and a hearer puts together, closely guided



meanings).

From common to From common to conventionalconventional

The meanings we are talking about are The meanings we are talking about are common, if not conventional, by the end of common, if not conventional, by the end of the conversation.the conversation. We’ll see later an example of meaning that doesn’t We’ll see later an example of meaning that doesn’t

become common. It’s worth talking about too.become common. It’s worth talking about too. Communication is commonication: The whole Communication is commonication: The whole

point of it is to make information (meaning) point of it is to make information (meaning) common.common.

Communication is usage that establishes Communication is usage that establishes commonality.commonality.

It is thus *automatically* and *inevitably* a It is thus *automatically* and *inevitably* a step towards conventionalization (i.e. towards step towards conventionalization (i.e. towards being established by usage.) being established by usage.)

Semantic or pragmatic Semantic or pragmatic connections?connections?

As we saw already, jokes often involve As we saw already, jokes often involve connections through encyclopedic connections through encyclopedic meaning.meaning.

Is that encyclopedic meaning semantic, or Is that encyclopedic meaning semantic, or pragmatic? Or constructed? or what?pragmatic? Or constructed? or what?

Typically, it is a mixture.Typically, it is a mixture.

The Chicken Joke (again)The Chicken Joke (again)

There are two questions here:There are two questions here: Is the concept Is the concept BIRD FLUBIRD FLU semantic semantic

(conventional, established by (conventional, established by usage)?usage)? Yes, clearly.Yes, clearly.

Are the connections to it from Are the connections to it from chickenchicken and from and from coughcough semantic? semantic?

The Chicken jokeThe Chicken joke

The connection from The connection from chickenchicken to to BIRD FLUBIRD FLU is is certainly semantic.certainly semantic. We have all heard (usage) that We have all heard (usage) that chickenschickens carry it, and carry it, and

that where it is found flocks of that where it is found flocks of chickenschickens are killed to are killed to stop it.stop it.

It is (even) not uncommon for it to be called It is (even) not uncommon for it to be called chicken fluchicken flu..

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

∵tʃɪˈ fluˌ


The (resultative/symptomatic) connection The (resultative/symptomatic) connection from from coughcough to to FLUFLU is also certainly semantic. is also certainly semantic.

So too the (elaborative) connection from So too the (elaborative) connection from FLU FLU to to BIRD FLUBIRD FLU..

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

FLU


However, the combination of these two links However, the combination of these two links is probably not semantic for most speakers.is probably not semantic for most speakers.

I.e., most of us have not heard usage linking I.e., most of us have not heard usage linking coughcoughing with ing with BIRD FLUBIRD FLU..

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

FLU


This is, in fact, a (relatively mild) example of This is, in fact, a (relatively mild) example of pragmatic inferencing.pragmatic inferencing.

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

FLU


Overall, then, we can consider that the linkage Overall, then, we can consider that the linkage is pragmatic, even though it is composed of a is pragmatic, even though it is composed of a combination of (pre-established) semantic combination of (pre-established) semantic links.links.

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

FLU


This is so common as to be typical of This is so common as to be typical of pragmatic connections: pragmatic connections:

they are composed largely of pre-established, they are composed largely of pre-established, semantic links, combined in a novel way.semantic links, combined in a novel way.

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

FLU


The The connection connection from the from the constructed constructed chicken…chicken…coughcough to to BIRD BIRD FLUFLU is, as is, as previously previously represented, represented, non-non-established, established, and and pragmatic.pragmatic.


tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat


The connection The connection from the from the constructed constructed the the whole world whole world freaks outfreaks out to to the notion of the notion of world-wide fear world-wide fear and panic over and panic over bird-flu, is also bird-flu, is also non-non-established.established.

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

ðəhol wˌ ˈ ldfɹiksa tʷ

PANIC ON A GLOBAL SCALE


What it enhances, What it enhances, namely the namely the notion of notion of widespread fear widespread fear connected to connected to BIRD BIRD

FLU,FLU, is semantic, is semantic, already part of already part of BIRD FLUBIRD FLU..

This (again) This (again) enhances the enhances the whole notion of whole notion of BIRD FLUBIRD FLU, making , making it clear that is it clear that is what is really what is really being talked being talked about.about.

tʃɪˈ

eggs

run, rarely fly


etc.

BIRD FLU


virus

widespread fear

etc.

kɔf

etc.

often involuntary


usually repeated


sore throat

ðəhol wˌ ˈ ldfɹiksa tʷ

PANIC ON A GLOBAL SCALE

widespread fear


(Somewhat incidentally:)(Somewhat incidentally:) Note the usage of Note the usage of the the (in the purely (in the purely

linguistic version of this joke). It is linguistic version of this joke). It is significant and typical for many jokes: significant and typical for many jokes: TheThe bear, bear, thethe lion, and lion, and thethe chicken are chicken are

marked as stereotypical participants in a marked as stereotypical participants in a conventional “script”.conventional “script”. (also as representatives of their species)(also as representatives of their species)

This “script” (which helps make this This “script” (which helps make this joke work/be easy to understand) is a joke work/be easy to understand) is a schematic construction defining this schematic construction defining this type of joke: type of joke:

The Chicken joke The Chicken joke

In the scriptIn the script several agonists (typically three) vie for some several agonists (typically three) vie for some

sort of supremacysort of supremacy the first ones (typically two) establish a trend the first ones (typically two) establish a trend

for the manner of demonstrating supremacyfor the manner of demonstrating supremacy the last one (the eschatagonist? the last one (the eschatagonist? ) violates ) violates

that trend and establishes supremacy in an that trend and establishes supremacy in an unexpected wayunexpected way

it may in fact be surprising (as in this case) it may in fact be surprising (as in this case) that the eschatagonist is a participant at allthat the eschatagonist is a participant at all

In a language which lacks this script, the In a language which lacks this script, the joke will probably not work as well.joke will probably not work as well.

The next joke was told by a friend of The next joke was told by a friend of mine. mine.

I will first give you the punch line, I will first give you the punch line, then supply some context.then supply some context.

The Beard JokeThe Beard Joke

““You can tell which end of his face he You can tell which end of his face he uses the most.”uses the most.”

The Beard JokeThe Beard Joke This is a rather widely This is a rather widely

translatable joke (English, translatable joke (English, Spanish, Nahuatl, others?)Spanish, Nahuatl, others?)

That is because the That is because the metonymic connections metonymic connections involved, though actually involved, though actually quite complex, are quite complex, are established (semantic) in established (semantic) in many cultures.many cultures.

I’ve tried to represent some of I’ve tried to represent some of these in the following diagramthese in the following diagram


HEAD HAIR

CRANIUM

BRAIN

JAW

MOUTH

HAIRWHITE HAIR

STRESSAGE

(Hard)USAGE

juzˈEATTALK

THINKTHINK

TALKfejs ɛndəvhɪzˈ ˈ Once you’ve gotten to the point where the Once you’ve gotten to the point where the

opposition opposition THINK/TALKTHINK/TALK is strongly activated, is strongly activated, you have pretty much understood the joke. you have pretty much understood the joke.

BEARD


HEAD HAIR

CRANIUM

BRAIN

JAW

MOUTH

HAIRWHITE HAIR

STRESSAGE

(Hard)USAGE

juzˈEATTALK

THINKTHINK

TALKfejs ɛndəvhɪzˈ ˈ My friend was saying, in essence, “David My friend was saying, in essence, “David

talks more than he thinks.”talks more than he thinks.”

BEARD


HEAD HAIR

CRANIUM

BRAIN

JAW

MOUTH

HAIRWHITE HAIR

STRESSAGE

(Hard)USAGE

juzˈEATTALK

THINKTHINK

TALKfejs ɛndəvhɪzˈ ˈ Note how pragmatic and semantic connections are Note how pragmatic and semantic connections are

interwoven with each other logically (and interwoven with each other logically (and presumably temporally to some extent.)presumably temporally to some extent.)

BEARD


HEAD HAIR

CRANIUM

BRAIN

BEARDJAW

MOUTH

HAIRWHITE HAIR

STRESSAGE

(Hard)USAGE

juzˈEATTALK

THINKTHINK

TALKfejs ɛndəvhɪzˈ ˈ

It would not work at all well to try to do all the It would not work at all well to try to do all the semantics first, then all the pragmatics, or v.v.semantics first, then all the pragmatics, or v.v.


HEAD HAIR

CRANIUM

BRAIN

JAW

MOUTH

HAIRWHITE HAIR

STRESSAGE

(Hard)USAGE

juzˈEATTALK

THINKTHINK

TALKfejs ɛndəvhɪzˈ ˈ There’s enough common semantic material in most There’s enough common semantic material in most

languages that the pragmatic connections (deictic & languages that the pragmatic connections (deictic & inferential) can be trusted to go on similar lines. inferential) can be trusted to go on similar lines.

BEARD


HEAD HAIR

CRANIUM

BRAIN

JAW

MOUTH

HAIRWHITE HAIR

STRESSAGE

(Hard)USAGE

juzˈEATTALK

THINKTHINK


That’s what makes the joke so translatable.That’s what makes the joke so translatable.

BEARD


HEAD HAIR

CRANIUM

BRAIN

BEARDJAW

MOUTH

HAIRWHITE HAIR

STRESSAGE

(Hard)USAGE

juzˈEATTALK

THINKTHINK


Of course, it may not be *funny* in all cultures, Of course, it may not be *funny* in all cultures, even if they *get* it. (e.g. maybe a serious insult)even if they *get* it. (e.g. maybe a serious insult)

The Beard JokeThe Beard Joke If you’ve seen the picture If you’ve seen the picture

before you hear the joke, and before you hear the joke, and noted the relevant details, the noted the relevant details, the picture is giving you Deictic picture is giving you Deictic Pragmatic information.Pragmatic information.

But it also works seeing the But it also works seeing the picture later (as I showed it to picture later (as I showed it to you.)you.)

Or you might see it first, but Or you might see it first, but notice the relevant details notice the relevant details later.later.


If you hear someone tell the If you hear someone tell the story, describing the essence of story, describing the essence of the picture (more normal joke the picture (more normal joke format)— then it’s semantic.format)— then it’s semantic.

(In the original context, (In the original context, someone had commented on someone had commented on my beard being whiter than my my beard being whiter than my head hair.)head hair.)

Many of the connections would Many of the connections would still be pragmatic, however.still be pragmatic, however.

The Beard JokeThe Beard Joke Bottom line:Bottom line: It doesn’t really matter It doesn’t really matter

whether the information is whether the information is pragmatic or semantic, as pragmatic or semantic, as long as it’s common, long as it’s common, readily/already activated readily/already activated when the punch line when the punch line comes.comes.


Finally, it isn’t clear that Finally, it isn’t clear that there is any special joke there is any special joke script (schema) at work script (schema) at work in this case. in this case.

It is relevant to the joke’s It is relevant to the joke’s translatability that no translatability that no such script is necessary.such script is necessary.

The Pigeon JokeThe Pigeon Joke

and some days you’re the statue.and some days you’re the statue.

Some days you’re the pigeon, Some days you’re the pigeon,

verbum lorem ipsum etc. verbum lorem ipsum etc.verbum lorem ipsum etc.verbum

lorem ipsum etc.verbum lorem ipsum etc.verbum lorem ipsum etc.verbum lorem

ipsum etc.

The Pigeon jokeThe Pigeon joke

Usage of Usage of thethe is similar to that of the is similar to that of the Chicken joke: it marks Chicken joke: it marks thethe pigeon pigeon and and thethe statue as fulfilling statue as fulfilling stereotypical roles in a script.stereotypical roles in a script.


The setting for that script is probably in a park The setting for that script is probably in a park (where you are likely to find pigeons and statues (where you are likely to find pigeons and statues together).together).

verbum lorem ipsum etc. verbum lorem ipsum

etc.verbum lorem ipsum etc.verbum lorem

ipsumc.


Crucially, the blended conception has the pigeon Crucially, the blended conception has the pigeon flying over and dropping excrement on the statue.flying over and dropping excrement on the statue.



ipsumc.


Like the Beard joke, this is not clearly Like the Beard joke, this is not clearly dependent on a particular joke-dependent on a particular joke-construction schema [though it construction schema [though it certainly makes effective use of a certainly makes effective use of a more general syntactic schema more general syntactic schema somesome((TIMETIME))ss X, ( X, (andand) ) somesome((TIMETIME))ss Y]. Y].


It is probably reasonably widely It is probably reasonably widely translatable where translatable where ∃∃ parks with parks with pigeons and statues.pigeons and statues.

But not (in my experience) as But not (in my experience) as effective/easy to get in Spanish as in effective/easy to get in Spanish as in English.English.

This is probably because the crucial This is probably because the crucial link is more conventional in English link is more conventional in English than in Spanish. than in Spanish.


I have heard many more I have heard many more (conventional) complaints about bird (conventional) complaints about bird droppings (e.g. on cars) in English droppings (e.g. on cars) in English than in Spanish.than in Spanish.

∃ ∃ widespread knowledge of the widespread knowledge of the coupletcouplet Birdie, birdie in the sky,Birdie, birdie in the sky, How I’m glad that cows don’t fly. How I’m glad that cows don’t fly.


There is There is widespread widespread knowledge of knowledge of cartoons like cartoons like the following the following (e.g. in (e.g. in The The Far SideFar Side):):

picture picture ©2007 Christopher ©2007 Christopher Tuggy Tuggy


Thus the connection from Thus the connection from pigeonpigeon//BIRDBIRD, , especially in a joking context, to the idea of its especially in a joking context, to the idea of its droppings falling on something, is semantic droppings falling on something, is semantic (strongly pre-established) in English (strongly pre-established) in English

It is much less so in Spanish.It is much less so in Spanish.

pɪdʒˈ



ipsumc.

stætʃˈ

BIRDDROP

EXCREMENT ON SOMETHING

(English)(Spanish)palomaˈ estatuaˈ


The joke also involves a proverb-like The joke also involves a proverb-like abstraction permitting re-abstraction permitting re-specializationspecialization



ipsumc.

active agonist DO SOMETHING DISAGREEABLE to passive antagonist


Some days you subject others to Some days you subject others to disagreeable/disgusting/irritating /even disagreeable/disgusting/irritating /even insulting (but not terribly harmful) insulting (but not terribly harmful) behavior,behavior,

and some days they do it to youand some days they do it to you



ipsumc.

active agonist DO SOMETHING DISAGREEABLE to passive antagonist

YOU DO SOMETHING

DISAGREEABLEto others

others DO SOMETHING

DISAGREEABLETO YOU

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke (Permission (Permission

granted by granted by Holly Tuggy)Holly Tuggy)

Q: Why do Q: Why do blondes wear blondes wear pony tails?pony tails?

A: To hide the A: To hide the valve stem.valve stem.

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke

This joke is pretty culture specific; not This joke is pretty culture specific; not widely translatable.widely translatable.

Indeed not all English speakers get it.Indeed not all English speakers get it. It is dependent on the constructional It is dependent on the constructional

schemas for:schemas for: Q/A jokesQ/A jokes Blonde jokes, esp. the “dumb blonde” Blonde jokes, esp. the “dumb blonde”

stereotype.stereotype. Note (again) the usage of stereotyping Note (again) the usage of stereotyping

thethe: : the valve stemthe valve stem implies “every blonde implies “every blonde has one”has one”


It helps (almost: you need) to know & It helps (almost: you need) to know & understand the idiomatic word understand the idiomatic word airheadairhead, , strongly evoked by stereotypical strongly evoked by stereotypical blondeblonde..

bland

= stupid

∵eɹ hɛdˈ ˌ

no brains just air

= stupid

(not literally)

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke Many English Many English

speakers don’t speakers don’t have a clear, have a clear, immediately immediately accessible accessible meaning for meaning for “valve stem”.“valve stem”.

Some eventually Some eventually remember or remember or figure it out and figure it out and thus get the thus get the joke, but it’s joke, but it’s harder for them.harder for them.

inflatable chamber

for putting air into the chamber


Those who get Those who get the joke get a the joke get a strong blended strong blended picture of the picture of the blonde with the blonde with the valve stem valve stem hidden in her hidden in her ponytail.ponytail.


This is not a pre-established concept of This is not a pre-established concept of English.English.

bland

= stupid

inflatable chamber


vælvstɛmˈ

poni telˈ ˌ ʲ

Rather it is Rather it is constructed constructed on-the-fly.on-the-fly.

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke But it is But it is

constructed (fairly constructed (fairly strongly coerced) strongly coerced) meaning: the joke meaning: the joke in essence tells in essence tells you that blondes you that blondes have valve stems have valve stems hidden in their hidden in their pony tails. pony tails. Even those who Even those who

don’t know what a don’t know what a valve stem is get valve stem is get this much.this much.

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke But there are less But there are less

closely controlled closely controlled (inferential) (inferential) aspects to it as aspects to it as well. well.

Many construe the Many construe the blonde’s head as blonde’s head as the inflatable the inflatable chamber.chamber.

inflatable chamber

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke The crucial (pragmatic) connection in this case The crucial (pragmatic) connection in this case

is from the indirectly evoked notion AIRHEAD.is from the indirectly evoked notion AIRHEAD.

bland

= stupidno brains just air

= stupid

(not literally)

inflatable chamber


vælvstɛmˈ

poni telˈ ˌ ʲ

= stupid

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke Some get another Some get another

meaning: the meaning: the blonde’s whole blonde’s whole body is the body is the inflatable inflatable chamberchamber

inflatable chamber

inflatable chamber

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke In this case the crucial connection is from the In this case the crucial connection is from the

indirectly evoked notion indirectly evoked notion INFLATABLE DOLLINFLATABLE DOLL..

bland

= stupid

inflatable chamber


vælvstɛmˈ

poni telˈ ˌ ʲ

air valve

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke That’s a That’s a

somewhat somewhat different joke; different joke; calling blondes calling blondes airheads is airheads is different from different from calling them calling them inflatable dolls. inflatable dolls.

The constructed The constructed meaning does not meaning does not control which control which construal you get.construal you get.

inflatable chamber

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke Many (myself Many (myself

included) get an included) get an off-the-wall off-the-wall picture of the air picture of the air in airheads’ heads in airheads’ heads as under pressure, as under pressure, and as needing and as needing the pressure the pressure constantly constantly monitored and monitored and adjusted. adjusted.

inflatable chamber

The Blonde jokeThe Blonde joke But others do not But others do not

get that strongly.get that strongly. Again, the Again, the

constructed constructed meaning does not meaning does not control this.control this.

It is all in the realm It is all in the realm of pragmatic of pragmatic inferencing.inferencing.

It may not even be It may not even be common between common between the joke-teller and the joke-teller and hearer.hearer.

inflatable chamber

Recap/final pointsRecap/final points

Indirection, i.e. (purposeful) activation of Indirection, i.e. (purposeful) activation of unnamed concepts through peripheral unnamed concepts through peripheral meaning specifications, is a crucial meaning specifications, is a crucial ingredient in some kinds of humor.ingredient in some kinds of humor.

The distinction between central and The distinction between central and peripheral specifications is important to peripheral specifications is important to conceive of properly, and to bear in mind.conceive of properly, and to bear in mind.

It is useful to distinguish semantic from It is useful to distinguish semantic from pragmatic meaning by the parameter of pragmatic meaning by the parameter of conventionalizationconventionalization: semantics is : semantics is conventionalized meaning, and pragmatic conventionalized meaning, and pragmatic meanings are not (yet) conventionalized. meanings are not (yet) conventionalized.


Some pragmatic meanings are Some pragmatic meanings are already common, though yet not already common, though yet not established by usage. established by usage. These These deicticdeictic pragmatic meanings are pragmatic meanings are

like semantic meanings in being pre-like semantic meanings in being pre-available.available.

Other pragmatic meanings are Other pragmatic meanings are inferentialinferential connections that the connections that the hearer must (or may) make between hearer must (or may) make between activated meanings of whatever sort.activated meanings of whatever sort.


Constructed meaningsConstructed meanings are also not are also not pre-established. pre-established.

They are like pragmatic inferences in They are like pragmatic inferences in that they require a hearer to make that they require a hearer to make new connections. new connections.

But they differ in being more closely But they differ in being more closely controlled via schematic controlled via schematic constructions.constructions.


Pragmatic meanings, semantic and Pragmatic meanings, semantic and constructed meanings grade into each constructed meanings grade into each other, and are likely to be inextricably other, and are likely to be inextricably interleaved in particular meanings interleaved in particular meanings such as the meanings of particular such as the meanings of particular jokes.jokes.

Much that may seem pragmatic is Much that may seem pragmatic is actually at least in some degree actually at least in some degree semantic (pre-established semantic (pre-established by usageby usage.).)

If certain concepts or connections are If certain concepts or connections are not semantic for you as hearer, it may not semantic for you as hearer, it may be harder for you to get the joke.be harder for you to get the joke.


However, as long as you get the joke, However, as long as you get the joke, it doesn’t much matter if particular it doesn’t much matter if particular concepts or connections are concepts or connections are pragmatic or semantic.pragmatic or semantic.

Understanding the subtleties of these Understanding the subtleties of these sorts of connections helps us to sorts of connections helps us to understand why humor tends so understand why humor tends so strongly to be language- or culture-strongly to be language- or culture-bound.bound.

Recap/final commentsRecap/final comments

It is a very beautiful thing that so It is a very beautiful thing that so many people get these quite intricate many people get these quite intricate and complex connections so reliably and complex connections so reliably and so fast (well under 1 second).and so fast (well under 1 second).

Jokes work: people get them. And Jokes work: people get them. And that tells us a lot about language.that tells us a lot about language.

Powerpoint available at:Powerpoint available at:www.sil.org/~tuggydwww.sil.org/~tuggyd

..

Getting the joke: Humor, Cognitive grammar, encyclopedic meaning and the semantics/pragmatics interface David Tuggy SIL-Mexico.

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