Lexical priming in humorous discourse
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
European Journal of Humour Research
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Volume
5
Issue
1
First Page
52
Last Page
68
Publisher
Cracow Tertium Society for the Promotion of Language Studies
Keywords
Collocation, Jokes, Lexical priming, Liberation theory of humour
Abstract
This article discusses the relationship between lexical priming and humour. Since incongruity, unpredictability and ambiguity are often associated with humour theory, the article explores the possibility that many jokes or unintended humour depend upon the overriding of lexical priming. Using the Cobuild Bank of English to investigate priming using collocational statistics, the article analyses eight jokes/humorous utterances to demonstrate and test this possibility. While in many cases humour can be explained by cancelling priming, there are some interesting exceptions which are discussed. Finally, an attempt is made to place the idea of cancelling lexical priming in the context of the theory of humour as liberation.
DOI
10.7592/EJHR2017.5.1.goatly
E-ISSN
2307700X
Publisher Statement
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Goatly, A. (2017). Lexical priming in humorous discourse. European Journal of Humour Research, 5(1), 52-68. doi: 10.7592/EJHR2017.5.1.goatly