中西中美幽默方式比较.doc

The comparative study of American and Chinese ways to express humor By group 8Case 1: Ignorance of the visual label Stephen Chow and Jim Carry are the well-known comedians both of whom are celebrated for their unique comedy style characaterized by exaggeration, satire and self-mockery. Both of them express themselves by the descriptions of nobodies lives. If we analyze their films narratologically, we could find that they both ultilize classical narratology (经典叙事)and Postmodern Narratology（后现代叙事）。 in the film the birth of a nation (一个国家的诞生)and Fight Back To School （逃学威龙）the accumulation of small dramas are the basis of his narration, mingled with different dramatical conflicts, which is typical of classical narratology. 、However, Stephen chow, though celebrated in China, is not a household name in western countries. The most critical problems can be found in his movies.Individual performance style Stephen Chows strengths emphasize more on the large section of the endless lines while there is no clear consistency about the exterior of the body movements and facial expressions and lacking in a strong visual impact. Jim Carrey More emphasis on facial muscles and show dramatic changes in shape, the sound is also rather exaggerated and weird, further exaggerated by computer trick, abundant body languages and facial expressions are all his labels.Stephen ChowThe loss of a clear sense of the subject and vagueness on the commondities of humanbeings.And themes are relatively clear, which are divided into two categories: First, the renovation of classical Chinese theme, Second, modern little people living in Hong KongDeconstruction of classical Chinese culture highlighting the characteristics of the dialects of Cantonese and customs, and to exaggerate the details its focus more on the rich regional informationMore regional concept less common humanity If there is no solid foundation of classical Chinese culture and modern social and understanding of political life of Hong Kong, no exploration of the complex relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland people Run, the destruction process of time; Forrest Gump performance is an idiot more intelligence than normal people. they are changing the values of all of humanity, which are easier to understand and accept in cross-cultural exchange. The design of social status, is full of local color. Such as domestic Page paint in the Arab paint, is setting in the early stage of reform and opening up, the hero was sent to Hong Kong from the Mainlands national agents. His subsequent actions resulted in the misunderstanding different political systems and backwardness of the Mainlands economic caused misunderstanding of life in Hong Kong. Therefore geographical and cultural gaps, bring about barrier to the understanding of the character. the popular world of the movie Star Wars or Hacker Empire of the hero characters, they are all on the position of all mankind, in order to save the planet and the normal life of human striving. Case 2:The Situation comedies (电视情景喜剧)or Sitcom is a genre of comedy performance originally devised for radio but today typically found on television. Sitcoms usually consist of recurring characters in a format (usually a 30 minute show once a week) in which there are one or more humorous story lines centred on a common environment, such as a family home or workplace. Friends is a long-running American television situation comedy revolving around a group of friends (aged somewhere between their mid-twenties and early thirties) who share neighboring apartments in Manhattan. With the first episode airing on September 22, 1994 it has since remained popular. The program is broadcast on NBC in the US. The writers have successfully (and believably) brought the characters in and out of a romantic relationship with great humor and strife. In China, recent years, the Sitcom家有儿女 received great attention form the audience.its success appeals to many people to study its humorous language. Both sitcoms prefer to use figurative language, such as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and pun, to make the scenes more vivid, active and humorous. 1.Simile & MetaphorIn Both sitcoms, simile and metaphor play their role very well, but we find that in Chinese sitcom家有儿女, they are used much less than in Friends. This is coincident with the language use habbit in English and Chinese. In Chinese talk, people prefer to express their idea clearly and directly, trying to avoid ambiguity. While in English, on the country, people tend to use diplomatic or indirect words. you have to use your imagination in order to understand their deep meaning. When use the simile and metaphor, the limited amount of words can convey much more information. Once the audience understands the meaning between these words, they would laugh or smile. Then, the humor takes effects. Here are two examples:Ross：I would, but I bruise like a peach. Besides, y.you know, everything is gonna be fine. The babys sleeping. (Episode5，Season 9 from Friends) 例2爸爸：刘星，你是想像竹筒倒豆子一样，一股脑吐出来呢?还是想像挤牙膏那样，慢慢被我们挤出来?(第一部第66集，家有儿女) 2. Hyperbolehyperbole is bold overstatement, or the extravagant exaggeration of fact or of possibility. It may be used either for serious or ironic or comic effect. There is no wonder both the sitcoms use it frequently to add to their artistic appeal .3 Rachel：Phoebe，hi，Were so sorryYouIe totally rightWe are here one hundred percent and we love you and we are ready to start your birthday celebration.(Episode5, From Friends) Phoebe：Mhuh，guys，that means the world to me(Episode5，Season 9 from Friends6) 例4 同学：肚皮都快贴肚皮了，要不咱们先吃吧。(第一部第66集，家有儿女) 3.Imitation & AllusionsIn家有儿女, imitation is frequently used. The characters keep creating some amusing sentience by imitating some advertisements, scripts in movies, and words from the Internet. This reveals the phenomena that young Chinese are using this ancient language creatively. But in western culture, allusions are preferred. 5 Phoebe：No，you cant goNonono，I cant hold this chair on my ownIf they ask me to move，I cave Joey：If you ask me to stayI11 pee(Episode5，Season9fromFriends6) 6 刘星弟：泻立停拉肚泻肚，一吃就灵。(第一部第66集，家有儿女) 4.IronyIrony is a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words used is the direct opposite of their usual sense. In 家有儿女whose major audience are children and teenagers the irony dose not appear. While in friends, since most of the audience are modern, fashionable young people, the irony brings numerous laughs.例7 Rachel：We got locked out of the apartment，weJoey：Thats a great s