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Abstract:
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The aims of this study are twofold : (1 ) to examine the development of linguistic humor interpretation and comprehension by second language (L2 ) Spanish learners by using a linguistic humor instrument comprised of comic strips , considering the linguistic properties of Spanish ; and (2 ) to see whether and how reading comprehension ability is reflected in the understanding of four types of linguistic -based humor (i .e . semantic , syntactic , phonological , and morphological ) . Also discussed are the comprehension strategies utilized by the participants during humor processing . To address these goals , a mixed methods approach was implemented through a linguistic humor multiple -choice questionnaire together with a think -aloud protocol .
Results are discussed with reference to Raskin’s (1985 ) Semantic -Script Switch Theory of Humor (SSTH ) . The data indicate : (1 ) comprehension of linguistic -based humor increases with L2 study ; (2 ) L2 learners struggle most with polysemic lexical items ; and (3 ) cognate status and pseudofamiliar words impede comprehension . Considering the analysis of the data , a reassessment of the SSTH and how it applies to L2 humor processing is suggested . Notably , linguistic -based scripts tend to dominate access to other non -linguistic based scripts because L2 learners remain within the linguistic -script frame and are unable to access and /or utilize non -linguistic scripts such as background knowledge . Furthermore , L2 learners contend with error scripts as an additional obstacle , which NS do not experience .
The findings suggest that learners should be encouraged and explicitly taught about lexical depth in order to increase their ability to infer meaning from context , thereby increasing their metalinguistic knowledge base . Recommendations are made for the adjustment of the SSTH theory to be more inclusive of L2 learning environments . Finally , suggestions for the L2 classroom include : (1 ) methods to increase metacognitive awareness ; and (2 ) pedagogical approaches to introduce language -based humor . |