Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Sarcasm: The Final Frontier
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Jizzo T. Clown



Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 668
Location: performing in a classroom near you!

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:07 am    Post subject: Sarcasm: The Final Frontier Reply with quote

Why is it that sarcasm is so difficult to teach, and practically impossible for students to understand? Nay, even extremely difficult for highly-advanced English speakers to get? I've worked with many non-native teachers and each of them had a difficult time using and responding to sarcasm (or what we refer to as "taking the pi$$"). Even many native speakers have a hard time recognizing it. Why?

To me, it's a higher form of communication that goes beyond mundane everyday "safe" topics. Granted, I usually reserve it for those who can appreciate it in liberal doses, even though at times I catch myself throwing it out just to see if it sticks. I also use it as a way to forge a bond with those I like...

Any thoughts?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You've answered your own question...

Quote:
it's a higher form of communication
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jizzo T. Clown



Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 668
Location: performing in a classroom near you!

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Indeed, but how would you teach it / explain it to a nonnative speaker?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
culfy



Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 41

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:26 pm    Post subject: Sarcasm Reply with quote

This is such an interesting topic.!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
VanIslander



Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 67
Location: temp banned from dave's korean boards

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some cultures don't do sarcasm.

Koreans don't.

And even among native English speakers there are plenty of people who never use sarcasm.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jizzo T. Clown



Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 668
Location: performing in a classroom near you!

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

VanIslander wrote:

And even among native English speakers there are plenty of people who never use sarcasm.


Unless, of course, you're British--then it's a way of life.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
how would you teach it / explain it to a nonnative speaker?

I wouldn't in Japan. I had no luck in exchanging jokes with British English speakers a while back. Why should Japanese understand North American humor/sarcasm if Brits can't (and vice versa; their jokes fell flat on me)?

Do you get every rakuno joke that's told?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gaijinalways



Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 12:57 pm    Post subject: sarcasm Reply with quote

I think you mean 'rakugo'.

And no, of course you won't get all jokes, even in your own language. I would find it hard to believe there is no sarcasm in Korean, but I suppose it is possible.

Yes, sarcasm doesn't always go over well, even jokes for that matter. Definately a tricky area to learn.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gordon



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 1:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sarcasm and humour in general is closely intwined with culture. That's why we have a hard time understanding sarcasm from other countries. The Brits have it down pat though. I like the dry British humour rather than the in-yer-face variety.

Spend 5-10 years away from your home country and you'll find you don't get many of the jokes any more.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
khmerhit



Joined: 31 May 2003
Posts: 1874
Location: Reverse Culture Shock Unit

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really....You don't say..... Fascinating. Ever read Bergson on humour? Side-splitting.

Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I meant rakugo. Thanks. Now, if I can get my 2-year-old off my lap when I type, there won't be any typos in the future...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Guy Courchesne



Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Laughing the things some 2 year olds will say...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Perpetual Traveller



Joined: 29 Aug 2005
Posts: 651
Location: In the Kak, Japan

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Sarcasm Reply with quote

culfy wrote:
This is such an interesting topic.!


Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing

Yep, there it is, right there!

Honestly culfy you're just so witty! Razz

PT
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Lynn



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 696
Location: in between

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 2:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sarcasm is not a form of humor in Japan. My very sarcastic American friend said to a Japanese person when coming in from a windy rainy day, "今日はいい天気ですね。� He just looked at her like she was nuts. And I said to her, "of course he did. You just said, "What a beautiful day!" that doesn't make any sense to say on a miserable day in Japanese." She then thought I was nuts.

I personally think I fit in well in Japan because I am not a sarcastic person.

I do like British tv shows like, "Absolutely Fabulous" and "Coronation Street". I suppose "Coronation" is more of a drama, though.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Jizzo T. Clown



Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 668
Location: performing in a classroom near you!

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, and British food is absolutely fabulous too! Twisted Evil
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion All times are GMT
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China