xxiv existing theories could be divided into three groups: incongruity theories, hostility
theories, and release theories.
33
a. The theory of Incongruity
The theory of incongruity is often called by biosociation. Many researcher have noted that incongruity is fundamental to humor.
34
This theory was proposed by Aristotle. It stated that humor appears as a result of understanding the
incongruity between the expected, and the achieved result.
35
Then, when something is perceived or understood that was not expected or predictable from
the situation as understood up to the moment of surprise can create a joke.
36
Incongruous means inconsistent; not fitting well together; disjoined; unsuitable; which all sound of negative term. The term incongruity refers to the
possibility for two meanings being understood from the utterance.
37
The humor will often have the following elements:
a. There is a conflict between what is expected and what actually occurs in the
joke. b.
The conflict is caused by an ambiguity at some level of language. c.
The punch line is surprising, as it is no the expected interpretation, but it resolves the conflict.
38
33
Igor Krichtafovitch, Humor Theory, Linguistics. Accessed on January 28, 2009. http:www.amazon.comHumor-Theory-Laughter-IgorKrichtafovitchdp1598002228. p. 14.
34
E. Judith Weiner, “The Incongruity of Jokes, Riddles, and Humorous Situation”, Social interaction and Discourse Structures, Vol. 2. 1997, p. 139.
35
Tom Veatch, Humor Theory, Linguistics. Accessed on February 15, 2009. http:www.lebed.comHumorTheoryHumorheoryfinal3.htm.
36
Tom Veatch, Humor is Affective Absurdity, Linguistics. Accessed on November 22, 2008.
http:www . Tomveatch.comelsehumorpapernode32.html.
37
Alison Ross. 1998, op.cit. p. 7.
38
Ibid. p. 8.
xxv In this theory, humor is symbolized by X and a circumstance of
intersection in the mind of two disjointed but logically justified associative contexts is symbolized by M
1
and M
2
. The humor occurs when X = M
1
and X = M
2
but M
1
= M
2
The example: Dialogue in a French film:
“Sir, I would like to ask for your daughter’s hand.” “Why not? You have already the rest.
39
The word “hand” is perceived first in a metaphorical frame of reference, then suddenly in a literal bodily context. Here is the conflict between the expected and
the achieved result occur and create a comic effect. Hand is identified as a humor, X, the circumstance when hand is perceived in a metaphorical frame of reference
is identified as M
1
and the circumstance when hand is perceived in a literally bodily context as M
2.
This situation can be formulated in the following: M
1
= M
2
Hand in a metaphorical = = hand in a literally frame of reference bodily context
X Hand
Wilson 1979 :31
b. The theories of hostility
Kategori