The Humor In Friends

The witticism In FriendsFriends is the famous situation comedy in the United States which was played at the NBC picture since the 1990s. After entering the Chinese word-painting market, The TV sitcom same(p)wise confine given Chinas TV viewers a new smell of smelling, and attracted umpteen fans of it. As one of the close popular sitcoms in the United States, Friends has been successfully completed 10 seasons. And to a slap-uper extent than 60 countries hold up its loyal audience. only, when the film was playing, I fount t don most of the muckle mastermed by no subject matter to had laughed as might as perhaps had been anticipated in compose up laughter. To explore the reason is people atomic number 18 futile to infer the wittiness of it. So they dont laugh. T presentfore, this es ordinate attempts to explore sense of humour of Friends through the office of germane(predicate) theory and research.Definition and Classification of gratify biliousness derived from the Latin whose veritable meaning is body fluid. And the extensive use of brainpowerous is attri righteous nowe to the British playwright whose name is Ben Jonson. The Every Man in His wit which is created by him is remarkable for conceit. Humor is a form of languages which through the art of touch on and it is artistic language.Definition of HumorFrench writer named Degebola had given a definition of temperHumor is an element in peoples laugh.Humor is what moves us.Humor is a smile in the eyes of wise man.This is a happy idea of an unsophisticated person.In fact, it is very hard to give a definition of temper for it belongs to a genius and inspiration. Humor croak place use the glows of wisdom to r come out of the dark of life, and create the beaming smile. Lenin had verbalize that Humor is a beautiful, healthy quality. Maybe this is wherefore scantily about people subscribe to sense of humor as a manifestation of a persons maturity. So humor is the great wisdo m, which is the ridicule and naughty after apperceive life. And this get out be my definition of humor.Common Classification of HumorFrom the form of ushers, humor mainly including these types as followedTransform Humor heart and soul to agree with this point commencement exercisely, and then worsened, and point out the different point of view. This humor fuel lead two sides of this antagonism freed from the con face upation, and create a relaxed atmosphere. Lets take an congressman Huxley actively supported and promoted Darwins theory of evolution, for which he had been cursed as Darwins set on by the church at that time. A debate, when Huxley went into the meeting, the religious leaders and comely about people who against the theory of evolution were shouting Be c beful, Darwins bulldog complys again Huxley wasnt angry, and then he said to the detractors contemptuously Yes, you atomic number 18 right. only if the hounds ar the most fear almost things of thieves As a result, the attackers got much unhappiness, except Huxley and his supporters kept calm and happy. The character of Transform Humor is the objection after agreement, and it explicate their give birth point of view unexpectedly with the purpose to enable readers to down the stairsstand thats witty sense of humor.Self-mockery Humor means that others tease you intention tot eitheryy or unintentionally to send you into a dilemma, and then you can use the Self-mockery Humor to disengage yourself from adversity decently. Rockefeller who was the U.S. oil magnate was a little bald. one time at a public occasion, one of his opponents in a satirical tone said to him Sir, you bugger off excitede combing into an art form, because you have made an arrangement for every hair of your head With a juiceless smile, Rockefeller said In the past years, they are just a number. But now they both have their own names. Everybody got into laugh, and Rockefeller was also able to chip the predicam ent quickly. A real sense of humor is inseparable from self-involvement, which gives the humor to others, but also to themselves. People who lack of self-confidence can non humor himself. Therefore, the Self-mockery Humor is more than need for self-confidence.Distortion Humor means the listener dont examine the meaning of each other, but apprehend from roughly other aspect intentionally. And bring a sense of humor to drop people laugh. Lets take an archetype to explain.teacher I hope all of students parents will come to attend on the parent-teacher meeting this Friday.Student Excuse me, sir. Which should we look for to take part in, farther or mother?Teacher Its not important. Ask the person who is the head of a household to come.Student That had to be me.The object that the teacher pointed was parents. But the student interpreted it as constituent of family. So, of course, he included himself. Distortion Humor is often verbalised in the form of pun, similar sound and am extendeduity.Sophis accentuate Humor. Hegel once controverted sophis get a line similar this Sophistry usually means to make a false impartiality very nice, which equal the real thing. Sophistry Humor means to make humor in a sophistic vogue. Of course, it should make sophistry stirred and extreme. Because it is the only commission to make sophistry integrates with humor. Emotionality means to administer joking and ridicule factors into Sophistry. Extreme can make a person cognise it is false immediately, which avoid deceptive and damaging. Sophistry Humor is not the same as Sophistry Logic. Sophistry Humor let you see the flaws deliberately, and realize the humor in it. For slipThe teacher discovered that shaft of climb down was sleeping in the class. Then she necessitateed Why do you sleep at class, Peter?Peter Im not sleeping.Teacher Why do you termination your eyes?Peter Teacher, I was reciting the concept.Teacher Why do you nod you head all the time?Peter Because your class is very nice, sir.Teacher Why do you drool?Peter Because it is full of relish in your class.Peter was sleeping in the class, but he ref employ to ac familiarity. The wrangle that he answered the teacher were all false, which like Hegel said It is very nice, and like the real thing.The Humor Used in FriendsUniversal Humor means the way of humor which make different cognitive surroundings of readers understand easily. For example volt Yeah. We dont speak. Shes like this high-powereddriven career type. Chandler What does she do? louvre Shes a waitress. (Season 12)In this dialog the waitress does not like her twin sister clearly. First, the description of her sister makes the audience think of a high occupation immediately. But as the converse progresses, the audience do it she is a waitress. Two kinds of script opposition (high / low status) make them have to understand the schoolbook again, and this edgeing has also got more contextual effects.ethnical Humor. Such hu morous use the elements of knowledge which should be undersas welld under a particular cultural context. In sitcom, it is often to use some movie stars or the name of a classic novel to get humorous effects. Therefore, the focus of such(prenominal) a translation is that we essential stigmatize whether the audience can understand the original knowledge and do some necessary adjustments before translation. Or it must result in failure. For exampleMonica Oh waityou know whatI got itI got itpretend like you just woke upokaythat will throw her off. Be sleepy. Rachel Yesand grumpy. Chandler What are you head naming dwarvesSeason34Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is well-known explanation in the West. Sleepy and Grumpy are deuce of the small dwarfs names. Chandlers reaction gives an additional contextual effect to the recipients. But in China, the more familiar chit-chating is the first dwarf, the second dwarf, and the third And the Chinese audiences are unable to obtain the names of the dwarfs. The translation make interpreter pay more efforts, but received little of the contextual effects. So it is failure.Verbal Humor. voice communication humor (or named pun) is a word game to strive to achieve a humorous effect. When the two scripts appear in a scene simultaneously, they whitethorn be overlap or completely overlap, but the meaning must be opposed in certain degree. In translation, due to the resemblance of language, puns can also be reflected perfectly in the translated version by the way of literal translation. For example1)Joey AHnow Rachelthese ahthese little women. Rachel Yeah. Joey How little are they? I meanare they like scary little? (Season 313)Joy is going to read Little women which is recommended by Rachel. But he still comprehends in wrong way for his little reading.2) five healthfulI-I wasnt hopping madyou know. Frank You hopped a little bit. (Season 35)Hop means light jumping. But the meaning of the text is very angry. This translation is ve ry successful. However, such a language is rare and more of the status as flowed3) quintuplet Oh. (They get kissing again) Ross Waitwaitwait. quintet What? Ross My foot is stuck in the pocket. louvre What? Ross NoI cant get it out. Phoebe Wellthats not something a girl wants to hear. Ross Nocome on dont start. (They start kissing again) Ouch Phoebe What? Ross Stupid balls are in the way. (Holds up two balls)(Season 36)In this event, the interpreters can adjust at all levels to make the translation as similar as original interpretation.Humor edition TheoriesThrough the comparison of humor used in commonalty environment and Friends, we know that humor can roughly be divided into the side by side(p) two kinds of humor theory. full general hypothesis of Verbal HumorThe General Theory of Verbal Humor (GTVH) proposed by Victor Raskin and Salvatore Attardo in 1991 (an reference of the semantic script theory of humour, SSTH which Raskin proposed in 1985) identifies a semantic ride capable of stub outing incongruities between semantic scripts in verbal humor this has been seen as an important late(a) development in the theory of laughter. The GTVH is one of the most mature theories which research the humor of language from linguistic humor. GYVH proposed the humor machine which is mad up by script oppo-sition, logical mechanism, situatio, target, narrativestrategy and language.Oppo-sition can be interpreted as overlapping and opposition of two or more of the script.Logical mechanism would mean that only works in a joke. Distorted and joking logic means the logical mechanism of faith two or more scripts.Situatio is the various props of joke people, events and things. home run means the laughing-stock in humor.Narrativestrategy indicates that any sense of humor will accept some sort of narrative techniques, such as general narration, dialogue, puzzles and so on.Language directs all the needed instruction and specific wording the text of the oral language of the text.Attardo think that the most important element of knowledge is that the inconsistent script which has determined the specific choices of other elements. So he point out that any humorous text must contain this factor. He also pointed out that when two humorous compare, the levels higher, the same less. (Attardo, 1994183) So it is also a tool to compare the similarity of humorous.Relevant Theory of Humor Translation relevance theory is used mainly to understand the problem and describe discourse.In the view of its founders Sperber and Wilson, the context in discourse information is a very important factor. They suggest that it is necessary to understand the course in context. And its only need to activate in certain aspects of the context, but not all. The building of context doesnt progress in the bound of interchangeable knowledge for collar the discourse, but try their best to build their own context to become communion. When people affiliating with each other, the y continue to correspond and compromise, and be in accord at last. Relevance theory suggests that here are generally three situations about complementarity and expansion for interlocutors to cognize contextThe first is comprehensive knowledge in context, which the listeners add some necessary encyclopedic knowledge to expand their accord context in their existing cognitive context.The second is context of knowledge. It means that the listeners can transfer related information from the terse-term memory which provided by above text to expand their concord of the context.The last is situational knowledge in context. It means that the listener must call the germane(predicate) information from the surrounding scene to expand their understanding of the context.When translating the oecumenic humor, its important for readers to gain more contextual effects through the process of seeking the opposite script to pay extra effort.When translating the cultural humor, the translator should pay attention to that if the readers knowledge can understand the elements in the text.When translating the verbal humor, the translator can do some flexible adjustments within the deductible range. digest of Humor in Friends dialoguesThrough the above descriptions and argumentations between common humor and the humor in Friends, the following we will make a detailed analysis of the humorous dialogues in Friends.There are a large number of humorous dialogues in Friends. But not all these dialogues can be used in this paper. So, the humorous dialogue postulate to be created in accordance with factors or the reasons for creating humor. Those that flout three axioms were elect to be explained in details.Humor Produced by the Deliberate Flout of the adage of QualityBy the adage of quality, it means that in a dialogue we all make our contribution to one thing that is true or articulate things that are true. To keep to this maxim, we simultaneously observe two sub-maxims we do not ordain what we believe to be false, and we do not say anything we lack adequate evidence.Joey What are you talking about? Keep itPhoebe Its not mine, I didnt earn it. If I kept it, it would be like stealing.Rachel Yeah, but if you spent it, it would be like shoppingPhoebe Okay. Okay, lets say I bought a really great pair of shoes. Do you know what Id hear, with every step I took? Not-mine. Not-mine. Not-mine. And even if I was happy, okay, and, and skipping-Not-not-mine, not-not-mine, not-not-mine, not-not-mine(Friends, 1994)This dialogue appears in this scene that Phoebe find there is 500 extra dollars appeared in her account. And every one advises her to keep the money, but she is unwilling. She wants to use them to buy something. She believes that if she used the money to buy shoes, shoes would blame her. Of course, she knows shoes can say nothing. She is saying something untrue and is thus flouting the maxim of Quality. At the same time, humor is produced by the shoes which are personified as a person having a voice. Her implied message is I should not keep the extra money. And I would feel guilty if I kept and used it.2)Ross Yeah, uh and then I evaluate after you win, we could all go out to the balcony and see a night rainbow with gremlins dancing on top of itRoss You know what, Im sure your wish is gonna come true, but, you guys-just in case, maybe a genie will come out if we rub this lamp (Friends, 1999)Ross said that these two sentences, meaning that compare with his friends words person see a night rainbow with gremlins dancing on top of It, the words a genie will come out if we rub this lamp is more convinced, to show he does not believe his friends would win. The humor here is expressed through the use of metaphor. Ross knows that it is hardly happen for the phenomenon what he said, so he is flouting the maxim of quality deliberately. The implicature that results is It is impossible for you to win.3) Ross If I hadnt let you talk me to go into the airport in the first place, I wouldnt have put my clenched fist through the protect.Chandler You put your fist through the wall?Ross No. I miss it and hit the door. But it foundered really hard. (Friends, 1997)Ross fails to persuade his female child to stay with him. He says he put his fist through the wall to show how upset and angry he is. But, what Ross said is doubted by Chandler because Chandler knows Ross is too timid to put his fist through the wall. Last, Ross admits he just put his fist on the door. Here, the untrue words which said by Ross on purpose and so it flout the maxim of quality. This kind of humor is founded on hyperbole largely.Humor Produced by the Deliberate Flout of the Maxim of RelevanceThe maxim of relevance means that we make all of contribution relevant to the exchange in a dialogue.1Ross So, I just immaculate this fascinating book. By the year 2030, therell be computers that can carry out the same amount of functions as an actual human brain. So theo retically you could download tour thoughts and memories into this computer and and and live forever as a machine.Chandler And I just realized I could sleep with my eyes open. (Friends, 1995)Although Ross and Chandler are good friends, they are worried about different things due to their differences in character. When Ross is talking about high-tech, Chandler talks about sleeping with eye open in response. His reaction has nothing to do with the subject of Ross. Therefore, he is flouting the maxim of Relation. It is easy for audience to understand his sense of humor. That the subtext is Im not interested in your topic.2Ross I can ask her to live with me.Chandler Are you real?Ross Why not?Chandler Because youve only known her for six weeks. Ive got a carton of take out in my fridge, and Ive had a longer relationship with.Ross Look, guys, I grapple her, you know? (Friends, 2001)Chandler And I love the milk But I substance abuse ask some British girl to move in with meRoss wants to ask his British Girlfriend to live with him. But Chandler disagrees. He thinks it is too short for them to live together. And this is reasonable. Later, he refers to the milk which is in his fridge. Chandler compares the time that he keeps the milk in fridge with the time that Ross knows his girlfriend. It is clear that there are no comparable kinds. Obviously, the thing said by Chandler is irrelevant to the matter of Ross. therefrom humor is produced by his flouting the maxim of Relevance.Phoebe Oh, hey, Mon, do you still have your like old blouses and dresses from high school?Monica Yeah, I think I have some around here somewhere. Why?Phoebe Well, its just that maternity clothes are so high-ticket(prenominal). (Friends, 2003)In this conversation, when Phoebe is asked why she talks about Monicas dresses from high school, she answers maternity clothes are expensive which does not seem to answer the question. But in fact, she is suggesting that the blouses and dresses of Monica ar e big enough for a pregnant woman. Thus humor is produced by her flouting the maxim of Relevance deliberately.Humor Produced by the Deliberate Flout of the Maxim of agencyBy the maxim of manner, it is meant that in a dialogue we all try to be perspicuous. In line with this maxim, there are four sub-maxims 1) we try to avoid obscurity, 2) we try to avoid ambiguity, 3) we try to be brief, and 4) we try to be orderly.Phoebe Ooh Oh (She starts to pluck at the air just in search of Ross.)Ross No, no dont Stop cleansing my breeze No, just leave my aura alone, okay?Phoebe Fine Be murky (Friends, 1996)In this conversation, Phoebe tries to catch Rosss attention by the way of plucking the air in front of Ross. But Ross feels annoying, and he would like leaving alone. So he said Stop cleansing my aura Just leave my aura alone. Moreover, Phoebe doesnt use unhappy to describe the air around Ross right off. She uses murky. Here, both Ross and Phoebe use obscure expression and thus flout the m axim of Manner. But the humorous effect they create and the implicature of their utterance are obvious and accepted by audience.Emily What did you decide? Does your uncle Nathan get an invitation or not?Ross Oh, God null likes him. And hes so cheap. I mean hed never fly to London in a million years Yeah, invite him. (Friends, 1997)Ross and Emily are deciding attendees for their wedding. When Emily and Ross discuss whether tell Ross uncle to attend the wedding, Ross does not answer yes or no soon and directly. Instead, he says a lot of weak points of his uncle in the first place, but finally he decides to invite him so quickly. Therefore, it is clear that Ross intentionally express in a long way which create a sense of humor in the way of flouting the maxim of Manner.Chandler Now it seems like all of a sudden, so much is happening. Joey I know. Ross is getting married. Chandler Phoebes making people. Joey Everybodys doing stuff.Chandler And we just sit here. I meant if I died, the only people know would be that I was here only by the ass print on the chair (Friends, 1997)Chandler and Joey have a conversation talking about their recent life. Compared with the friends who are in dealing with some major events, they are use their lives. Chandler says these words to create a funny effect, and that is we just sit hereif I died, the only people know would be t hat I was here only by the ass print on the chair.This sentence could hardly be humorous if he just says directly and briefly we just sit here without doing things meaningful. Therefore, Chandler produces humor by the way of flouting the maxim of Manner.ConclusionThis paper discusses some humorous conversations in the U.S. sitcom Friends. Humorous conversation delivers the meaning of a conversation situation in this case. Therefore, this paper, furthermore, is possible to explore the deeper meanings which are implied or hidden in humor. To some extents, this paper can help audiences better understand the met hod for humor, as well as the expression of humor, in particular, to improve their ability of understanding and using humor of American verbal because the humor in Friends is humor of unique American style.However, the researches in this field have not reached a mature stage, which are quite deficiency and lack of authority both in China and abroad. Because of the differences between different cultures, people in non- face oration countries do not fully understand the English sense of humor sometimes. Friends is a classical and typical American sitcom which is full of soaked elements of American culture. The way of Studying and discussing American culture is a great help for English learners to understand American humor. Therefore, a further study of humor in Friends can possibly make certain contributions for cross-cultural communication.Humorous language, as the main form to express humor, is popular in our daily life. It comes from our daily life while to some degree it goes be yond life reality. Humor is such a pervasive human phenomenon, manifest in many aspects of life that it has been studied from a multi-disciplinary viewpoint, including fields like linguistics, rhetoric, aesthetics, philosophy, sociology, and etc. From this essay, detailed and Pragmatic Analysis of Verbal Humor in Friends can help English learners to better improve their ability of understanding and the appreciation of the nature of American humor. At the same time, it is illuminating for them to harbour humor skill to mediate interpersonal relationships.ReferencesEnglish Language Humor Appreciation. Mao Guirong. Shanghai honorary society of Social Sciences Publishing House, 1993.Friends (File). Bright, Kevin (Director). 1994-2004.Pragmatic Analysis of Humor in FRIENDS. Chen Jin. South China Agricultural University, 2006.English Linguistics. Ling Zhenghua. Hunan Peoples Publishing House, 2006.The American Way of Comedy. Inga Walte. 2000.Linguistic Humor. Hu Fanchou. Shanghai Academ y of Social Sciences Publishing House, 1987.