HUMOR AS A BRIDGE AND BARRIER IN THE BIG SICK (2017)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v7i1.1058Keywords:
humor, intercultural, cultural sensitivity, verbal communicationAbstract
Humor plays a complex role in intercultural communication, serving both as a means of social bonding and as a potential source of misunderstanding. This study examines the use of verbal humor in intercultural interactions by analysing selected scenes from the film The Big Sick in the 2017. Drawing on the General Theory of Verbal Humor (GTVH) and Bennett’s Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS), the study explores how humor reflects differing cultural orientations and levels of intercultural sensitivity between the main Pakistani and American characters. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, purposively selected scenes were analysed to identify humor mechanisms such as script opposition, narrative strategies, and linguistic choices, alongside corresponding stages of intercultural sensitivity. The findings indicate that the Pakistani character frequently employs self-deprecating and minimising humor as a strategy to manage cultural tension and negotiate identity, often aligning with the Minimization stage of intercultural sensitivity. In contrast, the American character tends to use more direct and ironic humor, reflecting greater openness to cultural difference and emotional expression, commonly associated with the Acceptance stage. The analysis demonstrates that humor functions both as a bridge that facilitates connection and as a site where cultural differences become visible. While shared humor can enhance mutual understanding, divergent humor styles may also reveal underlying cultural assumptions. By integrating GTVH and DMIS, this study offers a nuanced perspective on the interaction between humor and intercultural sensitivity in mediated discourse. The findings contribute to intercultural communication research and provide pedagogical insights for language education and intercultural awareness training.
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