20 On the translation of verbal humor, Attardo 1994 proposes a theory of
verbal humor which is called General Theory of Verbal Humor, often abbreviated to GTVH. This theory explains that in generating verbally-expressed humor, one
needs to put together the six Knowledge Resources KR, they are presented hierarchically as follow, Language LA, Narrative Strategy NS, Target TA,
Situation SI, Logical Mechanism LM, and Script Opposition SO.
a. Language LA
The first KR, Language LA, contains the required information for the verbalization of humor, such as the wording of a humor and the ordering of the
functional elements that form the humor. In other words, this parameter shows the actual wording of the verbal humor Koponen, 2004. Attardo 1994 points out
that LA determines the order of the information is expressed so that the punch line of the humor comes last. “The exact wording of the punch line of the verbal
element to be ambiguous and to connect the two opposed senses in the t ext”
Attardo, 1994.
b. Narrative Strategy NS
The Narrative Strategy NS is closely associated to Language LA. Attardo 1994 states that any humor must be expressed in a form of narrative
organization, for instance, in the form of conversation, narrative, or question-and- answer dialog. In other words, the Narrative Strategy is the rephrasing of genre. It
also covers humor beyond the verbally-expressed humor.
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c. Target TA
Target TA refers to the target that is being made fun of. Attardo 1994 writes that the TA contains the names of the individuals or groups that are
targeted by the joke. Humor that does not offend someone or groups has nothing to do with this KR, therefore, this parameter appears to be optional.
The Target’s names may not be clearly mentioned, but with the particular stereotypes attached
to them makes it recognizable for the audiences.
d. Situation SI
The next Knowledge Resources, Situation SI, discusses about what the humor is all about. SI contains the properties of a joke, such as the objects, the
participants, the instruments, the setting place, activities, etc. Attardo 1994 says that any joke must have some situation, although some jokes may rely more on
one of the properties, while others can be ignored.
e. Logical Mechanism LM
