Semiotics of humor

Abstract

This chapter discusses the semiotics of humor. Semiotics considers signs of any kind, not just linguistic ones. The distinction between denotative semiotics and connotative semiotics is introduced. Humor is a connotative semiotics and it thus shares some of the features of connotative semiotics, such as the defunctionalization of the sign (i.e., messages are no longer used to communicate, but for ulterior purposes, i.e., to amuse or for play). Bateson’s theory of play is also introduced in this context. This leads to the definition of humor as a message whose perlocutionary goal is to be perceived as humorous (rather than, say, informative). Two significant conclusions are drawn: the mechanisms of humor and are the same in linguistic and non-linguistic communication and the semantic and pragmatic mechanisms of humor are the determining factors of the unique features of humorous communication.