An Application of Script-Based Semantic Theory to Zakani’s Risala-ye Delgosha's Regional Anecdotes

Author
A. Horri
Assistant Professor of Language and Literature at Arak University, Arak, Iran
Abstract
Aim:

This paper tries to apply Raskin’s (1985) script-based semantic theory to regional anecdotes in Zakani’s (1999) Risala-ye Delgosha (Joyous Treaties).

Theoretical Framework

In his theory, Raskin tries to examine the mechanisms of both generating as well as receiving by the audiences those verbally expressed humor he calls a joke-carrying-text. In this sense, a text is humors if three of the following conditions are satisfied: 1) The text has at least two different scripts; 2) The two scripts are compatible with each other; 3) The two scripts are opposite. A text is non-bona fide/humorous if these conditions are followed; bona- fide/non-humorous, if not followed.

Question:

Is there any meaningful compatibility between SSTH and Zakani's regional anecdotes?

Hypothesis:

Zakani's regional anecdotes are in compatible with the conditions as proposed by Raskin (1985).

Methodology:

As for the corpus, 16 regional anecdotes and or Qazvini-related anecdotes were chosen out of the total 256 anecdotes of the whole version edited by Mahjoob (1999). Then the five anecdotes were discussed in detail, and the rest was generally taken into consideration. Having followed Propp (1928) and Bremond (1973), the Qazvini's behaviors were mapped onto the three functions resulting in a model to show that the Qazvini's foolish action defines his role as the fool and his role as the fool generates his foolish action.

Findings and Results:

Some results show that the regional humor get high frequency in the book thereby they emphasis on the Qazvin's functions. Totally, the application of the SSTH shows that all the kinds of humor are in compatible with the conditions as proposed by Raskin (1985).

Keywords

Subjects

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Language Related Research
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 44
May and June 2018
Pages 63-87