ABSTRACT

With the perfection and development of the conceptual blending theory proposed by Fauconnier and Turner in last century, the theory has been widely used in fields of euphemism, pun, and translation because of its powerful ability of explanation. And conceptual blending theory has been more and more often used in fields of cognitive comprehension, grammar research, and literature analysis in recent years. But verbal humor study still needs further researches at the cognitive level. 

The research, based on the framework of Glies Fauconnier’s conceptual blending theory, dynamically explains verbal humor in the first three seasons of Two Broke Girls by using four networks in the conceptual blending theory. The research proves that verbal humor can be analyzed from the perspective of conceptual blending and can be shaped into a conceptual model which is different from traditional analysis. And it is able to summarize the blending processes under different conceptual blending networks, which will help with the understanding and translation of verbal humor. In other words, conceptual blending theory helps pick out the general framework of verbal humor and points out why it is humorous.

Key words: Conceptual Blending; Conceptual Blending Network Types; Verbal humor; Sitcom

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Research Objective-2

1.3 Outline of the Thesis-3

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-4

2.1 Definition of Humor-4

2.2 Classification of Humor-6

2.3 Previous Studies on Verbal Humor-7

2.3.1 Semantic Level-7

2.3.2 Pragmatic Level-7

2.3.3 Cognitive Level-8

2.3.4 Limitations of Previous Studies on Verbal Humor-9

Chapter Three  THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK-10

3.1 Introduction-10

3.2 Model Networks of Conceptual Blending-11

3.3 Process of Conceptual Blending-13

3.4 Types of Conceptual Blending Network-14

3.4.1 Simplex Network-15

3.4.2 Mirror Network-15

3.4.3 Single-scope Network-15

3.4.5 Double-scope Network-16

Chapter Four- METHODOLOGY AND DETAILED ANALYSIS-17

4.1 Introduction-17

4.2 Methodology-17

4.2.1 Data Collection-18

4.2.2 Research Process-18

4.3 Detailed Analysis-19

4.3.1 Simplex Networks and Verbal Humor-19

4.3.2 Mirror Networks and Verbal Humor-20

4.3.3 Single-scope Networks and Verbal Humor-23

4.3.4 Double-scope Networks and Verbal Humor-24

Chapter Five  CONCLUSION-27

5.1 Major Findings-27

5.2 Research Limitations-28

5.3 Further Suggestions-28

REFERENCES-30