Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel

Jokes are special kinds of texts: they do not communicate something about the real, existing world like some other kinds of texts do, because they are worlds in themselves. These units of discourse consist of two components: a build-up and a punch line, the latter being the source of humour, mainly...

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Main Author: P. S. de Bruyn
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 1994-05-01
Series:Literator
Online Access:https://literator.org.za/index.php/literator/article/view/660
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author P. S. de Bruyn
author_facet P. S. de Bruyn
author_sort P. S. de Bruyn
collection DOAJ
description Jokes are special kinds of texts: they do not communicate something about the real, existing world like some other kinds of texts do, because they are worlds in themselves. These units of discourse consist of two components: a build-up and a punch line, the latter being the source of humour, mainly because it possesses elements of surprise. Although mostly fictitious, jokes do make use of an element of truth, or at least some common knowledge. They can also be seen as speech acts, acts of humour with the perlocutionary effect to amuse in mind. When De Beaugrande and Dressier's characteristics of a successful text are applied, jokes can be seen to fit the description. As in the case of other literary genres, jokes can be described as fiction because they are also special expressions with well-defined conventions. These special kinds of texts are spontaneously recognised for what they are. When those elements distinguishing jokes as such are removed, the effects jokes have are cancelled. These removed elements are thus proved to be essentials. The element of surprise, caused by the condensation of several meanings in the punch line, seems to be of vital importance in this respect. Jokes are intended to amuse. Jokes are consciously told with this purpose in mind and they are noticed because of that. It will be argued, using appropriate examples, that these special effects are achieved by means of the principle of interest. The exploitation of pragmatic means is used to attain this.
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spelling doaj.art-3e607fff9dbb46ea80c5e4bb8d9f62672022-12-21T23:59:50ZafrAOSISLiterator0258-22792219-82371994-05-0115211810.4102/lit.v15i2.660599Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginselP. S. de Bruyn0Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir CHOJokes are special kinds of texts: they do not communicate something about the real, existing world like some other kinds of texts do, because they are worlds in themselves. These units of discourse consist of two components: a build-up and a punch line, the latter being the source of humour, mainly because it possesses elements of surprise. Although mostly fictitious, jokes do make use of an element of truth, or at least some common knowledge. They can also be seen as speech acts, acts of humour with the perlocutionary effect to amuse in mind. When De Beaugrande and Dressier's characteristics of a successful text are applied, jokes can be seen to fit the description. As in the case of other literary genres, jokes can be described as fiction because they are also special expressions with well-defined conventions. These special kinds of texts are spontaneously recognised for what they are. When those elements distinguishing jokes as such are removed, the effects jokes have are cancelled. These removed elements are thus proved to be essentials. The element of surprise, caused by the condensation of several meanings in the punch line, seems to be of vital importance in this respect. Jokes are intended to amuse. Jokes are consciously told with this purpose in mind and they are noticed because of that. It will be argued, using appropriate examples, that these special effects are achieved by means of the principle of interest. The exploitation of pragmatic means is used to attain this.https://literator.org.za/index.php/literator/article/view/660
spellingShingle P. S. de Bruyn
Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel
Literator
title Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel
title_full Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel
title_fullStr Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel
title_full_unstemmed Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel
title_short Die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel
title_sort die grapteks met verwysing na die interessantheidsbeginsel
url https://literator.org.za/index.php/literator/article/view/660
work_keys_str_mv AT psdebruyn diegrapteksmetverwysingnadieinteressantheidsbeginsel