Intercultural Pragmatic Failure in Humor - Research Paper Example

Intercultural pragmatic failure in humor Intercultural pragmatic failure in humor Introduction This section shall examine the research conducted by various analysts and researchers on intercultural pragmatic failure of humor. This will be in an attempt to assess the percentage in which successful humor relies on intercultural pragmatics especially on the second language. From the literature review, an evaluation of the validity and reliability of the research works will be understood as well as the contribution of the authors in the topic in question. This literature review will focus on the link between intercultural pragmatic and failure in humor in the second language. Key words: Intercultural, pragmatics, humor, second language Literature Review: This literature review will focus on answering five key questions by examining research conducted on this specific topic. The questions are: Does intercultural pragmatics of humor determine the recognition, comprehension and appreciation of humor in the second language as Bell (2006) indicates? For the speaker to have successful humor, must they understand the joke, and then make attempts to assess if the humor is indeed funny, as persons operate in differing perspectives and perceive humor differently? What determines the success of humor? In the event that the listeners put much effort to figure out the contents of the humor, is it evident that the humor was not successful? The literature review will be prearranged as per the questions in an attempt to answer them in detail. Intercultural pragmatics of humor and the recognition, comprehension and appreciation of humor in the second language As Bell (2006) indicates, the intercultural pragmatics of humor is responsible for the recognition, comprehension as well as reception of humor in the second language. An interpretation of this fact means that humor cannot be successful if the intercultural pragmatics of humor do not come into play especially on the person presenting the humor. The same sentiments are shared by Pohl (2004) who is of the thought that pragmatic failure takes place in the course of cross-cultural communication. On the part of the author, pragmatic failure relates to the inability to comprehend what is said in its context Pohl (2004). In view of the fact that all societies are products of pragmatic values, the pragmatic norms are reflected in the way of life even in the context of communication (Lin, 2008). In line with this thought, it is evident that linguistic variations will ensue, and the patterns that define communications will also differ on a huge extent. In regard to humor, it is evident that the speaker embraces social competencies such as grammatical and psycholinguistic abilities if they have to relay humor successfully. In the research conducted by Bell (2006), communicative competence can only be achieved when the speaker embraces a form of merger that allows them comprehend the linguistic forms and how they are used so as to achieve social competence in the second language. The person presenting or relaying the humor must be well versed with not only the linguistic competence, but also social competence that allows for humor to be successful. From this point of view, it is warranted to indicate that humor relies greatly on intercultural pragmatics. As Giora (1991) indicates, a joke is only successful if the hearer understands the speaker’s point of view. In the event that the speaker explains the joke it means that the humor has completely failed as the speaker has taken the initiative of filling in the gap that was the role of the speaker. However, if the hearers solve all the ambiguities in the humor, the speaker may consider that their humor is successful (Giora, 1991). The processing of the joke in this context involves an amalgamation of factors that make the reception of the humor an uncomplicated process. Most importantly, the mystery of the humor must be left for the hearers to uncover. Yun (2011) also indicates that the pragmatic failure of humor is a common phenomenon as different cultures have different beliefs and practices that create intercultural breakdown of communication. This aspect reveals that intercultural pragmatics is an important feature of language and its use as well as a huge determiner of the speaker’s choices. It is in this context that Yun (2011) recommends the adaptation theory that allows the users of language to adopt successful cross-cultural communication. For the case of humor, Yun’s (2011) work is of great relevance as through adaption, the hearer can easily understand the joke that the speaker presents. This aspect validates the reality that the intercultural pragmatics plays an important role in the context of determining the force and shape of utterances by the speaker of a humor. Successful humor and the speaker’s comprehension of the joke As would be interpreted from Bell (2007) humor is a composite conception that needs to be evaluated and analyzed comprehensively. In relation to humor being successful, it is evident that the speaker must put a lot of effort in understanding the humor prior to the presentation so as they can assess if the humor is funny depending on the culture in question. This aspect relates to the intercultural pragmatics of humor and the different perceptions of humor in different contexts (Bell, 2007). In line with this argument, it is expected that that speaker may perceive their humor being funny, but the same may not be possible for its speakers. It is of essence that preliminary research is done on the humor in question and if it is funny or not. From the research conducted by Pohl (2004) and Amaya (2008), a speaker may have the linguistic competence- that allows them have knowledge on phonology, syntax, semantics and even intonation- and pragmatic competence- that allows the speakers use language in the right context- but this does not mean that the speakers will successful bring out humor. Humor focuses on intercultural pragmatics context where the effect of the language must be in line with the cultural aspect of the audience; thus, successful meaning to the subject in question, in this case, humor. An interpretation of this supposition relates to the conclusion that different senses and references may result from different utterances as per the semantic rules and the pragmatic principles of different languages. The speakers must in this case make sure that prior to presenting their humor, they musty endeavor to assign logic and reference to the intercultural concepts of language. This will determine if value will be attached to their words especially to persons of the second language or the language in which the audience comprehend. Giora et al (2004) propose the optimal theory that explains liking is a product of innovation. In the context of humor, the speaker must be extremely innovative; thus, exceptional responses. This relates to the research conducted by Zhang (2013) that indicates humor cannot be understood in alienation as various internal mechanisms shape humor. The communication role of humor can only be successful if the quality of the humor is well brought out. The quality of humor, as Zhang (2013) puts it, can be measured by the humorousness of the joke that cannot be alienated from the force and shape of the speaker’s utterances. The author continues to indicate that humor cannot be studied as an alienated concept, but as a concept that has its major building blocks on the intercultural pragmatics (Zhang, 2013). This explains that the set of pragmatic concepts and strategies play a major role in ensuring that the speaker gives a humorous joke. It is such humor that can be termed as relevant as it follows the expected procedure that allows the audience gets the intended meaning in humor (Liu, 2005). The determinants of successful humor Humor needs to be accepted as a flow not a strain. If the listeners put much effort to figure out the contents of the humor, it is unmistakable that the humor was not successful. Giora (n.d.) writes that the hearers find irony a tricky process especially in the course of interpretation process. The context should provide a predictive context that allows the hearers literacy interpret the humor literary. The humor should; thus, be salient based (Giora, n.d.). From the research conducted by Pohl (2004) and Amaya (2008) as well, linguistic competence- that allows for knowledge on phonology, syntax, semantics and even intonation- and pragmatic competence- that allows for use language in the right context- this does not mean that the hearers will successful comprehend humor. Humor focuses on intercultural pragmatics context where the effect of the language must be in line with the cultural aspect of the audience; thus, successful meaning to the subject in question, in this case, humor. An interpretation of this supposition relates to the conclusion that different senses and references may result from different utterances as per the semantic rules and the pragmatic principles of different languages. According to Bell & Attardo (2010) pragmatic failure is major setback in relaying humor. This means that listeners will have a lot of difficulties in comprehending the humor as well as relate to the same in future. In the thought of the authors, the cultural part of pragmatics has in a large way disrupted proper understanding of humor (Bell & Attardo, 2010). This quickly interprets that humor needs to be embraced with ease as opposed to having difficulties in relating to the speakers thoughts. The manner in which humor is received can then be used as determinant of whether humor was successful or failed humor. Pragmatic failure, as Bell & Attardo (2010) write, is a major setback in relaying. The authors add on to write, the cultural part of pragmatics has in a great way derailed proper understanding of humor (Bell & Attardo, 2010; Bell, 2007). In the case of intercultural pragmatics, the speaker may be well conversant with the language, but the background knowledge on the culture would help them understand the connotation behind the joke. The joke that has been told leaves them at a position where they can hardly figure out what the speaker intended to bring out. Evidently, successful communication in the second language especially in the context of humor must be possible if pragmatic failure is avoided (Dash, 2004). Since lots of misunderstandings take place in the course of communication, the speakers that aim at presenting humor in a successful way, cross-cultural pragmatic failures must be evaded as much as possible. In the long run, it is apparent that the audience will positively reciprocate to the speaker’s effort to pass on the humor, if all the intercultural pragmatics is adhered to as expected. Results and Findings From the research questions suggested, the results of the findings indicate that the intercultural pragmatics of humor determine the recognition, comprehension and appreciation of humor in the second language. It is also evident that intercultural pragmatics determine if the listeners will actually grasp the humor at the right time. The success of humor is also determined through various ways. In the event that the listeners put much effort to figure out the contents of the humor, it is warranted to argue that the humor in question was not successful. Intercultural pragmatics of humor brings an interesting aspect in the discussion of humor and how successful speakers can be in conveying humor. The most appealing aspect of this subject matter is the actuality that it is an accepted fact that intercultural communication is a major challenge in the process of communication. Since humor is part of communication, the relaying of the same faces the intercultural issues such as the intercultural pragmatics. With many speakers conversant with the fact that they have to overcome the intercultural pragmatics issue if their humor has to be accepted by the intended audience, humor is expected to be a successful concept. Most importantly is the recognition, comprehension and appreciating of humor. It is only when the intercultural pragmatics is fulfilled that the audience can understand humor and even appreciate the efforts the speaker has put to present the same. Humor has also been indicated to be appreciated in the second language only when the speakers immerse themselves in the background of the target language. It is at this juncture that it is legitimate to question the impotence of conveying humor if the listeners do not make out it as a joke. This explains that the linguistic competence is not enough, and much more is required for humor to be successful. The concept of the intensity and nature of humor can only be understood through the intercultural pragmatics. This aspect explains that in as much the speaker would want to ignore the internal mechanisms that define humor in the second language, it is not practical in the context of humor. In line with this argument, intercultural pragmatics takes an important phase of the successful humor in the second language. If the humor is received immediately and with the expected reception, the speaker can comfortably say that they have overcome the intercultural pragmatic barrier of humor. In as much the delivery process of humor in the second language has numerous flaws, it is the role of the speakers to go beyond the mere linguistic competence of the second language but appreciate the pragmatic aspect of the second language. In the end, it is expected that humor will always serve the intended purpose with minimal strains on the side of the speaker. Method The scholarly articles used in this research were retrieved from online databases as well as private and public libraries. The key words; Intercultural, pragmatics, humor, second language, were used as the key search in an attempt to explore the intercultural pragmatic failure in humor. This research focused more on intercultural pragmatics as it formed the huge focus of the study. Scholarly articles that focused on the mechanics of intercultural pragmatics as well as the implication of the same on humor were also the major focus of the research. I also focused on a search on the causal supposition on the link between proper relaying of humor and successful reception of the same. This search focused on thirteen sources that were recently published so as to find current information on the fact that the intercultural pragmatics and humor cannot be separated. However, information on previous centuries was also found on the topic, but the same only acted as a guide to search for detailed information. The search took a global perspective as humor cannot only be confined on one culture. The intercultural pragmatics also affected all cultures despite their linguistic nature. This search helped answer the research questions in detail. Implementation The literature review presents a detailed explanation on the failure of humor as a result of the failure to focus on the intercultural pragmatics of the second language. The findings of the study can be used to improve humor transmission in the second language. Humor includes more than learning the linguistic structure of a language. Questions on the culture of language and successful humor come into play. The review provides room for the speakers of humor further to always ensure that they are conversant with the cultures of the language they aim at transmitting humor. The literature review also gives ground for further research on the topic Conclusion As would be borrowed from the thoughts of the researchers and analysts in the research, intercultural pragmatics have a huge role in the successful transmission of humor. If the listeners have to participate actively in the process of humor conveyance, the speaker must always ensure that they focus on successfully incorporating the intercultural pragmatics in the course of relaying humor. The hearers of the humor determine if humor is successful or not. The hearers must interpret the utterances of the speaker with minimal difficulties. However, it is evident that the humor interpretation process is complex; thus, the speaker must make sure they incorporate the intercultural pragmatics that allows for successful humor. It is also evident that since the second language speakers have major issues in identifying with the second language, chances are that they will not comprehend the pragmatics of the second language. It is this aspect that explains why the speakers find it extremely tasking to relate to the humor in the second language. This paper; as a result, recommends that for the speakers of humor to fit in the communication with the speakers of a different language, they have no alternative but to focus on the intercultural pragmatics of the language they aim at submitting humor. Intercultural pragmatics, as a result, entails proper reception of humor, conversations, actively engaging in speech and identifying with the speaker. References Amaya, L. F. (2008). Teaching Culture: Is It Possible to Avoid Pragmatic Failure? Revista Alicantina de Estudios Ingleses, 21, 11-24. Bell, N. D. & Attardo, S. (2010). Failed humor: Issues in non-native speakers’ appreciation and understanding of humor. Intercultural Pragmatics, 7(3), 423–447. Bell, N. D. (2006). Interactional adjustments in humorous intercultural communication. Intercultural Pragmatics, 3(1), 1-28. Bell, N. D. (2007). How native and non-native English speakers adapt to humor in intercultural interaction. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 20 (1), 27– 48. Dash, P. (2004). Cross-Cultural Pragmatic Failure: A Definitional Analysis with Implications for Classroom Teaching. Asian EFL Journal 6(3), 1-17. Giora, R. (1991). On the cognitive aspects of the joke. Journal of Pragmatics,16, 465-485. Giora, R. (n.d.). Will anticipating irony facilitate it immediately? 19-37. Giora, R., Fein, O., Kronrod, A., Elnatan,I., Shuval, N. Zur, A. (2004). Weapons of Mass Distraction: Optimal Innovation and Pleasure Ratings. Metaphor And Symbol, 19(2), 115–141. Lin, M. (2008). Pragmatic Failure in Intercultural Communication and English Teaching in China. China Media Research, 4(3), 43-52.  Liu, N. (2005). Incongruity and Resolution in Humor from the Perspective of Relative Theory. Journal of PLA Institute of Foreign Languages, 1, 16-19.  Pohl, G. (2004). Cross-cultural pragmatic failure and implications for language teaching. Second Language Learning & Teaching, 4(2), 91-112. Yun, Z. (2011). Analysis of Pragmatic Failures in Communicative Context Adaptation. Journal of Chongqing Technology and Business University, 3. Zhang, W. (2013). An Ideal Model to Measure Humorousness: 1+1 Two Factor Formulae. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 4 (6), 1216-1224. doi:10.4304/jltr.4.6.1216-1224. Read More