Despite the fact that women have a reputation for talking abundantly, in this essay I shall argue that the comedic styles of female cinema actors are seldom founded on language. Based on a small, self-selected sample of comic films, what clearly emerges is that, at least as far as the big screen is concerned, the use of language does not seem to be women's preferred means of achieving a humorous effect. It would appear that, in order to get their laughs, most often funny women rely on their physicality or on the situations they spark off, rather than on their verbal repartee. Yet, when women do resort to Verbally Expressed Humour, they are likely to adopt a variety which is unique to their gender alone.
The Wisecracking Dame: An overview of the representation of Verbally Expressed Humour produced by women on screen
CHIARO, DELIA CARMELA
2005
Abstract
Despite the fact that women have a reputation for talking abundantly, in this essay I shall argue that the comedic styles of female cinema actors are seldom founded on language. Based on a small, self-selected sample of comic films, what clearly emerges is that, at least as far as the big screen is concerned, the use of language does not seem to be women's preferred means of achieving a humorous effect. It would appear that, in order to get their laughs, most often funny women rely on their physicality or on the situations they spark off, rather than on their verbal repartee. Yet, when women do resort to Verbally Expressed Humour, they are likely to adopt a variety which is unique to their gender alone.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
