A Study On The Explanatory Power Of Conceptual Blending Theory On Verbal Humor

The conceptual blending theory was brought forward by Fauconnier in the 1990s,which has attracted much attention because of its forceful explanatory power.Fauconnier himself believes that conceptual blending and its explanatory power can be used in all cognitive activities.And scholars have proved this power from various angles,but few of them apply this theory to verbal humor analysis. Verbal humor studies in China are mainly constrained to the pragmatic domain.Although more and more scholars maintain that the process of achievement of humorous effect is dynamic in nature now, most verbal humor researches in China do not uncover the dynamic process of how the humorous effect is achieved by the speakers and the listeners.Therefore,my study tries to show the successful explanatory power of conceptual blending theory on verbal humor,and at the same time undercover the dynamic process of verbal humor.In this thesis, the schemas of conceptual blending network and humor analysis are associated.Particular attention to the cognitive process of the achievement of humorous effect is paid.Moreover,many typical examples will be analyzed by the schemas of the theory,to show a specific procedure and function of the blending theory in the process of humor construction and appreciation.Thus,confirmed that the conceptual blending theory really has a mighty explanatory power in practical understanding of humor.