Comparative Analysis of Conversational Jokes: Applying the GTVH and Bhatia Models of Genre Analysis

  • Waqar Ahmad
  • Shams Ur Rehman
  • Saiqa Aftab

Abstract

 This research examines two distinct theoretical frameworks for analyzing conversational humor: The General Theory of Verbal Humor (2017) and Vijay Bhatia's genre analysis model (2004). The GTVH, developed by Victor Raskin and Salvatore Attardo, offers a cognitive approach that focuses on the structural and functional aspects of humor. It elucidates how incongruous scripts are juxtaposed and integrated to generate humor, emphasizing cognitive mechanisms such as script opposition and integration. This model excels in providing a detailed understanding of the internal workings of humor, making it particularly effective for analyzing specific humorous instances.Conversely, Bhatia's genre analysismodel (2004) emphasizes the broader contextual framework within which humor occurs. This approach examines humor within various conversational genres and their defining conventions, shedding light on how humor operates within different communicative contexts and aligns with genre-specific norms. Bhatia’s model is valuable for understanding humor’s role in social interactions and genre-specific structures, offering insights into how humor fits within conversational dynamics.The research reveals that while the GTVH is superior for dissecting the cognitive and structural elements of humor, especially in the context of jokes, Bhatia’s model provides a broader perspective on humor’s role within conversational genres. The GTVH is more adept at pinpointing the mechanisms that make jokes humorous, whereas Bhatia’s framework is better suited for analyzing humor’s interaction with conversational norms and social contexts. Therefore, the choice of model depends on whether the analysis aims to explore the cognitive intricacies of humor or to contextualize humor within specific conversational settings.

Published
2024-09-16