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HUMOROUS TEXTS: A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF LUBUKUSU JOKES A PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ART IN LINGUISTICS BY SITUMA MARTIN DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGES FACULTY OF ARTS UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI OCTOBER, 2013 i DECLARATION This project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University. ____________________ _____________________ SITUMA MARTIN DATE This project has been submitted for examination with our approval as the University Supervisors: ____________________ _____________________ DR. G. N. MARETE DATE _____________________ _____________________ MR. H. B. MANYORA DATE i DEDICATION To my friend and wife Pamela Cheruto To my dear sons Neville Kiprono Fabian Sidney Cheruiyot Kabaka You stood by me in prayer through it all. Thank you. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My foremost appreciation goes to everyone whose inspiration, criticism and contribution enabled me to complete this degree. I thank God for according me good health and strength throughout the years. This project would not be what it is without the concerted effort of my two supervisors, Dr. Gideon R. Marete and Mr. H. B. Manyora. The constructive criticism and professional guidance I received from them is invaluable. They were both very resourceful and tireless in their effort to see that the thesis was through. That they were patient with me cannot be understated, and I sincerely appreciate the valuable contribution they have made to this work. My special thanks to Dr. Schroeder, my lecturer for encouragement and providing me with reading materials for my research. A lot of thanks to Dr. Mukhwana who discussed with me the topic of research and whose advice helped me shape this study. My profound gratitude goes to my course lecturers, Prof. Lucia Omondi, Prof. Okoth Okombo, Dr. Oduor, Dr. Kaviti, Dr. Michira and Mr. Mungania for their constant encouragement. I would wish to also thank all my classmates; you have been an encouragement to me. The discussions we have had together have made a positive impact to my intellect. A huge thank you to two very special friends: Martin Wasike, lecturer at the University of iii Nairobi, for believing in me and giving me the confidence to start on and continue with my dissertation research and writing; and Diana Kabiru for intellectual advice. I appreciate your great support. My heartfelt gratitude goes to: My late dad Simon Tabalia and My late mum Agnes Tabalia for their strong foundation and inspiration upon which this achievement is based; My late brother John Tabalia for his academic mentorship; My brothers Anthony and family, Peter and family; My sister Janet Nambuye; My cousin Patrick Machukhu. Thank you for your love, support, and unwavering belief in me. Without you, I would not be the person I am today. iv ABSTRACT This project presents the results of a linguistic study on Lubukusu jokes. The study follows the framework of Relevance Theory. What the study aimed at was to analyze Lubukusu jokes through Relevance – theoretic framework. Chapter one gives the introduction, background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives, scope and limitations, theoretical framework, literature review, methodology and conclusion. Chapter two focuses on the classification of jokes and their functions. Here the important role played by jokes was critically examined. Chapter three concentrates on Lubukusu jokes and their hidden frames of relevance. This was to establish how jokes are structured and factors that determine the elucidation of Lubukusu jokes. Chapter four tested the theory. It subjected the data to the theory and a detailed analysis provided. This was done to see whether the Relevance Theory and its tenets could adequately analyze the data. Finally, a summary of findings and recommendations was presented in chapter five. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i DEDICATION................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........................................................................................................iii ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Background of the Language.......................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 Background to the Study ................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Research Objectives .............................................................................................................. 5 1.4 Research Hypotheses............................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Rationale of the Study........................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Scope and Limitation ............................................................................................................ 7 1.7 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................... 7 1.7.1 The Basic Tenets of Relevance Theory........................................................................ 13 1.7.2 Relevance and Cognition.............................................................................................. 14 1.7.3 The Cognitive Principle of Relevance.......................................................................... 15 1.7.4 The Communicative Principle of Relevance................................................................ 16 vi 1.7.5 Relevance-guided Comprehension Procedure.............................................................. 17 1.8 Literature Review.................................................................................................................... 18 1.8.1 Literature on jokes........................................................................................................ 18 1.8.2 Theoretical Literature ................................................................................................... 20 1.9 Research Methodology........................................................................................................ 22 1.9.1 Data Collection Procedure............................................................................................ 23 1.9.2 Data analysis................................................................................................................. 24 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................. 25 CLASSIFICATION OF JOKES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ..................................................... 25 2.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 25 2.1 Information on jokes ........................................................................................................... 26 2.2 Types of Verbal Jokes......................................................................................................... 28 2.2.1 Jokes that Stereotype .................................................................................................... 28 2.2.2 Political Jokes............................................................................................................... 31 2.2.3 Mchongoano as Jokes................................................................................................... 33 2.2.4 Teasing as a Way of Joking.......................................................................................... 35 2.2.5 Practical Jokes .............................................................................................................. 38 2.3 Functions of Jokes............................................................................................................... 38 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................. 41 LUBUKUSU JOKES AND HIDDEN FRAMES OF RELEVANCE.......................................... 41 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 41 vii 3.2 The Structure of Jokes......................................................................................................... 42 3.2.1 The Set-up..................................................................................................................... 42 3.2.2 The Timing ................................................................................................................... 45 3.2.3 The Punch line.............................................................................................................