An Approach To English Humor From The Perspective Of Conceptual Blending Theory

A comparatively new cognitive theory, put forward by Fauconnier at the end ofthe20thcentury, the conceptual blending theory has aroused scholars’ interest since itsbirth, and its explanatory power has been a subject of study for many researchers.As a special and interesting language phenomenon, humor is a kind of wittylanguage, an extraordinary life wisdom. It is not only funny talking, but a happy,mature and optimistic attitude towards life. Humor is seen in every aspect of people’sdaily life, therefore, it plays a significant social role. The interconnectedness betweenhumor and the conceptual blending theory has been studied by many scholars.However, it still needs to be further probed. This thesis aims to explore theexplanation power of conceptual blending theory to humor, to find out to what extentthis theory can facilitate English humor understanding for the college studentsmajoring in arts. In this research, five different conceptual blending networks, namely,simplex network, mirror network, single-scope network, double-scope network andmultiple blending network, are adopted, and some tests and questionnaires areconducted among students majoring in arts, in order to unfold how conceptualblending theory affects their appreciation of English humor. The research reveals thatstudents equipped with the conceptual blending theory find it easier to understandEnglish humor.This research result sheds some light on English teaching. Introduction of theconceptual blending theory to students will help them better understand Englishhumor, and in turn, their interest in English language learning will be more effectivelyexcited.