Chapter One Introduction 1
1.1 Rationale 1
1.2 Objectives 5
1.3 Research Methodology 7
1.4 The Structure of This Book 9
Chapter Two An Overview of Humor and Its Research 12
2.1 Introduction 12
2.2 Definitions of Humor 13
2.3 Nature of Humor 19
2.4 Humor-related Concepts 31
2.5 Classifications of Humor 38
2.6 Functions of Humor 42
2.7 A Brief Literature Review 46
2.8 Summary 60
Chapter Three Humorous Genres and Mismatches of Generic Structures 62
3.1 Introduction 62
3.2 Fundamental Questions on Research into Humor 63
3.3 Linguistic Humor 65
3.4 Discursive Study of Humor 68
3.5 Humorous Genres 71
3.6 Generic Structure Potential （GSP） 88
3.7 Mismatches of Generic Structures 102
3.8 Summary 115
Chapter Four Linguistic Mechanisms of Humor in Humorous Discourse 116
4.1 Introduction 116
4.2 A Brief Introduction to Linguistic Approaches to Humor 116
4.3 Language， Reality and Thinking 120
4.4 Cohesion and Coherence Features of Humorous Discourse 127
4.5 A Systemic-Functional Approach to Humorous Discourse 140
4.6 Koestler’s Dissociation Theory 149
4.7 Analyses of Two Jokes 154
4.8 Humorous Discourses beyond Humorous Genres 161
4.9 Humorous and Serious Discourse 163
4.10 Summary 165
Chapter Five The Context of Humorous Discourse and the Mismatch of Contextual Features 167
5.1 Introduction 167
5.2 The Necessity of the Contextual Dimension in Humor Research 167
5.3 The Context of Situation 171
5.4 Mismatch of Contextual Features 184
5.5 The Context of Culture 196
5.6 The Context of History 204
5.7 The Nature of the Contexts of Humorous Discourse 208
5.8 Summary 213
Chapter Six The Traits of Individual Interlocutors of Humorous Discourse 215
6.1 Introduction 215
6.2 Humor Competence 216
6.3 Personality 220
6.4 Mood 222
6.5 Intelligence 225
6.6 Gender 227
6.7 Origin or Dialect 229
6.8 Identity 232
6.9 Summary 235
Chapter Seven The Failure of Humor in Communication 236
7.1 Introduction 236
7.2 A Model of Comprehension of Linguistic Humor 237
7.3 General Causes 240
7.4 Psychology 241
7.5 Discursive Competence 244
7.6 Intertextuality 246
7.7 Sociocultural Competence 248
7.8 Other Considerations 251
7.9 Summary 254
Chapter Eight Conclusions 256
8.1 Original Findings of the Current Research 256
8.2 A Discussion of the Current Research in Relation to the General Understanding of Humor 262
8.3 Suggestions for Future Lines of Research into Humor 268
Appendices 272
Bibliography 276
后记 290