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nationalities which have been brought about as a result of linguistic differences. Nor is it possible to ascertain whether observed differences in behavior, belief and humour develop as a result of varied expressions of a universal human mind (Wu, undated; 265). Considerably more research is needed.
Nevertheless, the findings of this paper do point to the following main, basic conclusions:
(1) In the past, limited research has been undertaken comparing Chinese and Western humour.
(2) Just as there are different kinds of Western humour (and even different kinds of English humour with cockney humour as but one example), so Chinese humour varies. For instance Guangzhou-Cantonese humour, which is more simple and straightforward, differs from that found in Hong Kong. The fact that the latter is a small city state, partly westernised, and people are short of time and life is frenetic, tends to bring about a so-called 'combat' situation. All this has a bearing on the development of the 'Hong Kong sense of humour.'
(3) Certainly, jokes based on societal convention or wordplay only get their message across when language or society allows them to do so. Although there may be deeper differences, with humour linked to a large extent to culture and 'social conditioning,' it often means jokes cannot be understood fully or appreciated properly by peoples of different nationalities or regions. Thus an itinerant comedian staging shows around the world will have to vary his act to prevent jokes falling flat.
(4) People often need not only to be able to comprehend the language but they also need to be able to visualise the situation before they can appreciate humour. Thus 'extending' (rather than changing) one's sense of humour, when living in a different culture, is an 'education process.' Some people 'learn' and extend their sense of humour faster than others.
(5) Chinese humour, generally, is lowbrow, physical and not philosophical; but to the average Chinese it is fun. Often there is a liberal inclusion of 'adult jokes' and obscene language. Such humour
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nationalities which have been brought about as a result of linguistic differences. Nor is it possible to ascertain whether observed differences in behavior, belief and humour develop as a result of varied expres- sions of a universal human mind (Wu, undated;265). Considerably more research is needed.
Nevertheless, the findings of this paper do point to the following main, basic conclusions:
(1) In the past, limited research has been undertaken comparing Chinese and Western humour.
(2) Just as there are different kinds of Western humour (and even different kinds of English humour with cockney humour as but one example), so Chinese humour varies. For instance Guangzhou- Cantonese humour, which is more simple and straightforward, differs from that found in Hong Kong. The fact that the latter is a small city state, partly westernised, and people are short of time and life is frenetic, tends to bring about a so-called 'combat' situation. All this has a bear- ing on the development of the 'Hong Hong sense of humour.'
(3) Certainly, jokes based on societal convention or wordplay only get their message across when language or society allows them to do so. Although there may be deeper differences, with humour linked to a large extent to culture and 'social conditioning,' it often means jokes cannot be understood fully or appreciated properly by peoples of differ- ent nationalities or regions. Thus an itinerant comedian staging shows around the world will have to vary his act to prevent jokes falling flat.
(4) People often need not only to be able to comprehend the lan- guage but they also need to be able to visualise the situation before they can appreciate humour. Thus ‘extending' (rather than changing) one's sense of humour, when living in a different culture, is an 'educa- tion process.' Some people 'learn' and extend their sense of humour faster than others.
(5) Chinese humour, generally, is lowbrow, physical and not philosophical; but to the average Chinese it is fun. Often there is a liberal inclusion of 'adult jokes' and obscene language. Such humour
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