语言学以往对幽默的研究一般是从修辞格、图式理论、合作原则、关联理论着手的。不过似乎都未能完整揭示幽默的语言原理。本书参考了不同学科的研究方法和理论，重点从韩礼德的系统功能语言学的三大语义元功能(概念、人际和语篇)出发研究幽默语篇，并把文化、语境和心理层面纳入言语幽默产生与欣赏的总模式之中。

Chapter One Introduction

  1.1 Rationale

  1.2 Objectives

  1.3 Research Methodology

  1.4 The Structure of This Book

Chapter Two An Overview of Humor and Its Research

  2.1 Introduction

  2.2 Definitions of Humor

  2.3 Nature of Humor

  2.4 Humor-related Concepts

  2.5 Classifications of Humor

  2.6 Functions of Humor

  2.7 A Brief Literature Review

  2.8 Summary

Chapter Three Humorous Genres and Mismatches of Generic Structures

  3.1 Introduction

  3.2 Fundamental Questions on Research into Humor

  3.3 Linguistic Humor

  3.4 Discursive Study of Humor

  3.5 Humorous Genres

  3.6 Generic Structure Potential (GSP)

  3.7 Mismatches of Generic Structures

  3.8 Summary

Chapter Four Linguistic Mechanisms of Humor in Humorous Discourse

  4.1 Introduction

  4.2 A Brief Introduction to Linguistic Approaches to Humor

  4.3 Language, Reality and Thinking

  4.4 Cohesion and Coherence Features of Humorous Discourse

  4.5 A Systemic-Functional Approach to Humorous Discourse

  4.6 Koestler's Dissociation Theory

  4.7 Analyses of Two Jokes

  4.8 Humorous Discourses beyond Humorous Genres

  4.9 Humorous and Serious Discourse

  4.10 Summary

Chapter Five The Context of Humorous Discourse and the Mismatch of Contextual Features

  5.1 Introduction

  5.2 The Necessity of the Contextual Dimension in Humor Research

  5.3 The Context of Situation

  5.4 Mismatch of Contextual Features

  5.5 The Context of Culture

  5.6 The Context of History

  5.7 The Nature of the Contexts of Humorous Discourse

  5.8 Summary

Chapter Six The Traits of Individual Interlocutors of Humorous Discourse

  6.1 Introduction

  6.2 Humor Competence

  6.3 Personality

  6.4 Mood

  6.5 Intelligence

  6.6 Gender

  6.7 Origin or Dialect

  6.8 Identity

  6.9 Summary

Chapter Seven The Failure of Humor in Communication

  7.1 Introduction 

  7.2 A Model of Comprehension of Linguistic Humor

  7.3 General Causes

  7.4 Psychology

  7.5 Discursive Competence

  7.6 Intertextuality

  7.7 Soeiocuhural Competence

  7.8 Other Considerations

  7.9 Summary

Chapter Eight Conclusions

  8.1 Original Findings of the Current Research

  8.2 A Discussion of the Current Research in Relation to the General Understanding of Humor

  8.3 Suggestions for Future Lines of Research into Humor

Appendices

Bibliography

后记