‘She is like a Yakshini':
‘She is like a Yakshini':
character construction via aggressive humour in Chinese sitcom discourse
Author(s): Ying Cao, Chong Han, Xiangdong Liu, Adrian HaleSubject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Media studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Communication studies, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics
Published by: Krakowskie Towarzystwo Popularyzowania Wiedzy o Komunikacji Językowej Tertium
Keywords: aggressive humour; impoliteness; sitcom discourse; Chinese;
Summary/Abstract: This paper looks at the importance of aggressive humour in the discursive construction of a ‘Yakshini’ character in a popular Chinese sitcom, Ipartment. The exaggerated, aggressive nature of such a stereotypical character undermines traditional cultural norms of Chinese femininity. Such characterisation of a heroine through aggressive humour in a popular sitcom reflects the fact that empowering women has become (or is becoming) more acceptable in contemporary China.
Journal: The European Journal of Humour Research
- Issue Year: 9/2021
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: 110-130
- Page Count: 21
- Language: English
