Elements that may hinder our understanding of English humor



Vocabulary “Quid” is the modern word for what was once called a "shilling”. friends are called “tossers”. If you are fond of someone, you should tell him he is a “great tosser” -- he will be touched.


Humor goes beyond language. Learning how to explain humor and how to ask questions about humor is important for intercultural communication. A two-stage process is involved in sharing humor between native and non-native speakers.
United Nations Survey


Last month, a world survey was conducted by the UN. The only question asked was: "Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world." The survey was a huge failure... In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant. In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest" meant. In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant. In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant. In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant. In South America they didn't know what "please" meant, and In the USA they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.
Unit 8 Humor Interpretation in Intercultural Encounters
Culture is a Bridge.
English gas station

All Greek to me: Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read, speak, or understand any of the Greek language would be. All In The Same Boat: When everyone is facing the same challenges. An Arm And A Leg: Very expensive. A large amount of money.



英格兰人谈论苏格兰人和爱尔兰人的3则笑话:
1.一个爱尔兰人给旅游公司打电话：“我坐飞机到伦敦将用多 长时间？”办事员想看看飞机时刻表，对他说：“（请等）一分钟， 先生！”“非常感谢！”爱尔兰人满意地答道并挂上了电话。
2.一个苏格兰人从英格兰回到了家。家人问道：“在伦敦怎么 样？”苏格兰人答道：“还行！就是那些英格兰人很奇怪。我住在 旅馆时，他们像疯子一样在我隔壁敲了一夜墙。”“那你当时干什 么呢？”“我没干什么！我只是吹了一夜笛子！”房间。爱尔兰人生气地说：“看着点儿！别以为我 来自爱尔兰，就让我住进这么个小房间！”服务生连忙解释道： “别生气，先生！这是电梯。”

English gas station

A Taste Of Your Own Medicine: When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.


Beat A Dead Horse: To force an issue that has already ended. Beating Around The Bush: Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
Humor
Failure to understand humor is a common occurrence.


“You are also human” A compliment in America, but cause embarrassment in China.
Chapter 1: Humor as a Pathway to Intercultural Communication Competence
Stage 1: making new conversational rules.



There are many reasons why it is hard to explain humor. vocabulary sayings and idioms background knowledge some stereotyped images

Sayings and idioms as close as an oyster 嘴很紧 polish the apple 讨人欢心; 拍马屁