Analysis of American Humor in American Sitcom：A Case Study of the Big Bang Theory开题报告

1. 研究目的与意义

As sitcoms are recognized and accepted by more and more people，American sitcoms have also been popular among a lot of Chinese fans, especially highly-rated the Big Bang Theory in the recent years. This paper analyzes some typical dialogues in the American sitcom #8220;the Big Bang Theory#8221; to explain the features of American humor; and uses the cooperation principle of pragmatics to understand American humor and to probe into the verbal humor effects. This study will help English learners appreciate this sitcom even more and improve the ability of understanding American humor.

2. 研究内容和预期目标

My paper will focus on the features of American humor, try to analyzes the verbal humor conveyed by violating the cooperative principle in the Big Bang Theory and discuss how it is possible for the speaker to deliver more than what is literally said and for the hearer to comprehend. This paper is composed of four parts. The first part will give a brief introduction to American humor. Then, the thesis will explain the features of American humor through analysis of some typical dialogues in the Big Bang Theory. The third part will discuss verbal humor conveyed by violating the Cooperative Principle in the Big Bang Theory and the humorous effects they can result in. At last, this paper will try to conclude that a better understanding and appreciation of American humor for English learners is necessary.

3. 国内外研究现状

America is a country full of humor. However, it is difficult to understand the humorous meanings of some American humor for Chinese audience since the enormous difference between China and the America in social history, values and economic and culture environment. Scholars from different disciplines such as philosophy, literature, linguistics, sociology, anthropology, and aesthetics make great efforts on humor study. Study on humor has made much progress and from different angles over the centuries.

Verbal humor as the main form of humor is commonly seen in daily life. It is the essence of human language. Using verbal humor in a conversation makes people laugh, in the meantime, inspires people#8217;s thinking and exchanges of feeling. As humor is produced in the communication and dialogues, in this thesis, the author aims to study the features of American humor through typical dialogues in the Big Bang Theory and verbal humor conveyed by cooperative principle of pragmatics, which is necessary to understand American humor comprehensively.

4. 计划与进度安排

i. introduction

as american sitcoms have been more and more popular among a lot of chinese fans, a large number of american sitcom works have been introduced into china, which not only helps the chinese audience to learn english and practice speaking, but also make it convenient for chinese viewers to understand the social values and to experience american humor. 1. a brief definition of humor

2.the origins of american humor

5. 参考文献

[1]grice h p. logic and conversation [m].new york:academic press,1975.

[2] nord christsiane.translating as a purposeful activity:fnctionalist approach explained [m]. shanghai: shanghai foreign language education press,2001.

[3]attardo,salvatore.introduction:the pragmatics of humor [j].journal of pragmatics,2003(35)