politeness and humor:analysis of PakistaniTV sitcom Bulbulay

Politeness &humor
A Study of verbal humor in the TV sitcom
Bulbulay
Presented to: Prof Dr Sarwet Rasul
Presented by: Asma Iqbal Kayani
M.Phil in Linguistics , Semester II
NCBA&E,
Gujrat.

Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.
( Mark twin)
33

Table of contentsTable of contents1. Abstract
2. Introduction
2.1. what is a sitcom?
2.2. what is humor?
2.3. What is Bulbulay?
2.4. What is cooperative principle?
3. Politeness
3.1. origins
3.2. two notions
3.3. perspectives
3.3.1. social norm view
3.3.2. conversational maxim view
3.3.3.conversational contract view
3.3.4. Brown and Levinson's Face-Saving View
4. Sample for research
5. Aim and objectives of the study
6. Framework
7. Clippings & Analysis of dialogues
8. Findings
9. Conclusion
10. References 44

Abstract
This work is a humor study within the framework of an important
pragmatic theory of cooperative principle by Grice using three
dialogues in the Bulbulay ,a Pakistani sitcom ,as a case study .An
attempt is made to find out that how by observing or violating the
Grecian maxims the element of humor is brought into a dialogue
and how sitcoms are utilizing this phenomena to win the laughter
and applause of the viewers . The cooperative principle proposes
four maxims in communication. When any of the four maxims is
violated or flouted, misunderstanding or implicature , and thus
humor might be generated. In addition to it The rhetorical
techniques of humor by Berger (1995) ,some of them are also used
as a framework to study humor in this sitcom . A try is made to see
pragmatically and rhetorically both that how these are working to
create humor and with what effect.
55

IntroductionIntroduction
 A Situation comedy(sitcom) is a form of TV series, with
each episode having fixed actors (actresses) and similar daily
scenes. Program creator and director resets the characters,
locations, and time of every new episode of each week. From 1940s
till now, sitcoms have been popular all over the world. The dialogue
of sitcom often shows contradiction with the environment, action and
common sense and hence generates humor.
 Humor, especially verbal humor is the most important feature
of sitcoms and also the main mechanism to proceed. As time goes
by, this characteristic of sitcoms has not changed. humor is
specifically divided into visual humor(by pictures and actions), and
verbal humor(through funny utterances/dialogue)
 Since the 90s, comedy in Pakistan has lost its place to some
extent in Pakistani television. The lack of quality comedians, writers
and directors have led to a serious lack of good, quality sitcoms,
which families can watch together and roar with laughter. One can
count the number of classy, humorous shows produced in the last
decade. Most of them are limited to politics and the current situation
of the country. 66

 Bulbulay is a unique sitcom by ARY, The show revolves around a
family of four eccentric people:
• Momo (Hina Dilpazir):Nabeel’s mother
• Mehmood Sahab (Mehmood Aslam):momo’s second husband
• Nabeel (Nabeel): jobless and Khoobsurat’s husband
• Khoobsurat (Ayesha Omar).
The house is supported by Khoobsurat’ s rich father. Every episode
the household encounters a new crazy situation and comes up with
even crazier solutions to get out of it. The humor is created through
catchy jingle ,brilliant actors with their perfect expressions and
timely dialogue delivery.
77

H.P. Grice’s Cooperative Principle and
conversational maxims
 Grice believes that there is a set of assumptions guiding the conduct of
conversation, and these assumptions may be formulated as guidelines
for efficient and effective use of language.
 The CP by Grice:
“Make your contribution such as required, at the stage at which it occurs,
by the accepted purpose or direction of the talk exchange in which you
are engaged.” (Grice,1975:45)
 Four maxims :
1. Quantity: make your contribution as informative as is required (for the
current purpose of the exchange). Do not make your contribution more
informative than is required.
2. Quality: Do not say what you believe to be false. Do not say that for
which you lack adequate evidence.
3. Relation: Be relevant.
4.Manner: Avoid obscurity of expression Avoid ambiguity Be brief (avoid
unnecessary prolixity). Be orderly.
88

• According to Grice (1989:29) it is, however, important to understand that
the maxims are not supposed to describe how people actually talk, they
merely attempt to describe a type of conversational practice that is often
reasonable for us to follow. Exceptions naturally occur when ones aim
is, for example, to lie, or to tell a joke or a story.
• The maxims help us to get from what is said to what is meant, from the
level of expressed meaning to the level of implied meaning. Thomas
(1995:63) adds that according to Grice without the assumption of the CP
(cooperative principle) there is no mechanism to prompt someone to
seek for another level of interpretation.
• Attardo (1994) discusses jokes and humor in the light of Grice’s
Cooperative Principle. He argues that it is established that a large
number of jokes present a violation of one of the four maxims
composing the CP . Grice himself, who also considered irony as an
example of implicature, was the first to propose that jokes violate the
maxims
99

 Classification of nonobservances of maxims:
people sometime fail to observe the maxims, whether by choice or
not. Grice classified these non-observances into five groups:
1. flouting a maxim(to create an implicature )
2. violating a maxim ( intentionally to deceive)
3. infringing a maxim (imperfect linguistic performance by
children/foreigners)
4. opting out a maxim,(unwillingness to cooperate)
5. suspending a maxim(in funeral orations , poetry , telegrams , jokes)
1010

The rhetorical techniques of humor
• In the analysis of humor, Berger (1995) suggests a rhetorical
perspective and gives a list of 45 techniques out of which following
two techniques will be utilized to analyze the present work data.
• 1.The techniques like exaggeration ,insult, puns and wordplay ,and
misunderstanding are Language based techniques of humor”
• 2. The techniques like ignorance , mistakes and repetitions are
logic based techniques of humor
1111

Origin of politeness
• Historically, traces of the English term ‘polite’ can be
found in the 15th
century. Etymologically it derives from
late Medieval Latin politus meaning ‘smoothed and
accomplished’. The term 'polite' was synonymous with
concepts such as ‘refined’, ‘polished’ when people were
concerned. In the seventeen century a polite person was
defined as ‘one of refined courteous manners.
1212

Two notions of politeness
1. first-order politeness ways in which polite behavior is perceived and
talked about by members of socio-cultural groups
(i) Expressive first-order politeness is the polite intention that the speakers
manifest through speech. The use of politeness markers such as ‘please’,
and such conventional formulaic expressions as ‘thank you’ are instances of
expressive first-order politeness.
(ii) Classificatory first-order politeness involves the classification of
behaviors as polite and impolite based on the addressee's evaluation.
(iii) Meta pragmatic first-order politeness, that is, the way people think of
politeness and the way it is conceptualized in various interactional contexts.
2. second-order politeness is a theoretical construct, a term within a theory
of social behavior and language usage.
(i) it attempts to develop a scientific theory of politeness.
(ii) it can elaborate the functions of politeness in interaction and provide the
criteria by which im/polite behavior is distinguished.
(ii) It can also present universal characteristics of politeness in different
communities.
1313

perspectives on the treatment of politeness
1. The social norm view:
• politeness is “seen as arising from an awareness of one’s social
obligations to the other members of the group to which one owes
primary allegiance.”
• It can be a type of politeness called “discernment” i.e. “the practice
of polite behavior according to social conventions”
• the social norm view consists of two factors:
(i) Status conscious behavior which is realized by showing deference
and respect to others’ social rank.
(ii) Moral components and decency which involves a concern for
general human dignity
1414

2. The conversational maxim view:
(i) Grice’s Cooperative Principle
(ii) Lakoff's two Rules of Politeness
“be clear” “be polite”
Grice’s maxims 1) Don’t impose(distance and formality)
2) Give options (hesitancy)
3) Make a feel good – be friendly (equality)
1515

iii)Leech's Politeness Principle and Maxims of Interaction
For him politeness is a facilitating factor that influences the relation
between ‘self’, by which Leech means the speaker, and ‘other’ that is
the addressee and/or a third party.
(I) TACT MAXIM (in impositives and commissives)
Minimize cost to other & Maximize benefit to other]
(II) GENEROSITY MAXIM (in impositives and commissives)
Minimize benefit to self & Maximize cost to self]
(III) APPROBATION MAXIM (in expressives and assertives)
Minimize dispraise of other & Maximize praise of other]
(IV) MODESTY MAXIM (in expressives and assertives)
Minimize praise of self & Maximize dispraise of self]
(V) AGREEMENT MAXIM (in assertives)
Minimize disagreement between self and other & Maximize agreement
between self to other
(VI) SYMPATHY MAXIM (in expressive)
Minimize antipathy between self and other & Maximize sympathy
between self and other 1616

3.The Conversational-Contract View
• It means entering into a conversation, each party “brings an
understanding of some initial set of rights and obligations that will
determine, at least for preliminary stages, what the participants can
expect from the others”
• These rights are based on parties’ social relationships and during
the process of interaction there is always the possibility for parties to
renegotiate the initial rights and obligations on which the parties
have agreed.
• So politeness is “getting on with the task at hand in light of the
terms and conditions of the CC”.
• This view is similar to Social Norm view in that politeness involves
conforming to socially agreed codes of good behavior.
• It is different from Social Norm view because in Conversational-
Contract view the rights and obligations are negotiable.
1717

4. Brown and Levinson's Face-Saving View
Brown and Levinson’s work consists of two parts:
(a)fundamental theory concerning the nature of ‘politeness’ and how it
functions in interaction.
 Brown and Levinson introduce the notion of ‘face’ i.e. the self image of a
person in a social context
 interactants have an interest in maintaining two types of ‘face’ during
interaction:
positive face is the positive and consistent image people have of
themselves, and their desire for approval.
negative face is “the basic claim to territories, personal preserves, and
rights to non-distraction”
1818

(b)The second part is a list of ‘politeness’ strategies :
 ‘politeness’ is regarded as having a dual nature:
‘Positive politeness’ is expressed by satisfying ‘positive face’ in two ways:
1) by indicating similarities amongst interactants;
2) by expressing an appreciation of the interlocutor’s self-image.
‘Negative politeness’ can also be expressed in two ways:
1) by saving the interlocutor’s ‘face’ (either ‘negative’ or ‘positive’) by
mitigating face threatening acts such as advice-giving and
disapproval;
2) by satisfying ‘negative face’ by indicating respect for the
addressee’s right not to be imposed on.
 In short, politeness is expressed not only to minimize FTAs, but also to
satisfy the interactants’ face regardless of whether an FTA occurs or
not.
1919

Data for the present research
• Data: Three dialogues from
• Sitcom Drama: Bulbulay
• Episode no.: 243
• Year of : 2013
Presented by: ARY Digital (Pak)
• Recording: You Tube
• Selected dialogues
• Dialogue 1: between Momo and abba g(on Phone)
• Dialogue 2: between Momo , Nabeel and Mehmood (face to face)
• Dialogue 3: between nabeel , Mehmood and abba g(face to face)
1
2020

Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to analyze verbal humor in a TV-sitcom from
two perspectives: pragmatic and rhetorical.
2121

Objectives of the study
Objectives of this study are to find out :Objectives of this study are to find out :
i. Are the maxims of conversation violated to create humour?
ii. If they are violated, then how and by whom?
iii. Does observation of these maxims also result in humor ?
iv. Which maxims are mostly violated and why?
v. What is the impact of observing or violating the maxims ?
vi. What kinds of rhetorical techniques are used to create humour?
How are they used and by whom?
2222

Framework of the study
The theoretical tools or frameworks employed in this study
to analyze humor are:
• Grice’s(1975) theory of cooperative principle(Four
maxims)
• Berger(1995) theory of rhetorical techniques of
humor(related to language and logic)
Two separate methods are tried to use because verbal
humor is not the result of only the violation of maxims
alone.
The pragmatic strategy used in this study is based on
the claim that acts of verbal humor violate Grice’s
Cooperative Principle and the four maxims of
conversation: maxims of Quality, Quantity, Relevance
and Manner.
2323

• The rhetorical strategy, on the other hand, stems from an inventory
of rhetorical techniques of humour introduced by Berger (1990).
Berger has divided the techniques into four categories: language,
logic, identity and visually based techniques. The ones that will be
taken into account in the present study are language and logic,
because they all can be expressed through language and can thus
create verbal humour
2424

Limitation of The Study
• The present study limits its data from one selected Pakistani TV
sitcom “ Bulbulay” and is taking three dialogues from its episode #
243 to analyze verbal humor.
• Two frameworks pragmatic and the rhetorical devices by Berger
are used to find out working of humor.
• Within politeness theoretical framework it is the cooperative
principle with maxims by Grice that is applied and within Berger’s
framework rhetorical devices related to linguistics and logic are
utilized to analyze the verbal humor.
2525

Clipping dialogue #1(Momo&
her Abba g)
2626
clip1.wlmp

Dialogue # 1(Between momo and her abba g on telephone)Dialogue # 1(Between momo and her abba g on telephone)
Momo : hello
Aba g :hello
Momo : hello , hello g
Aba g: o bi hello
Momo: o bi ap kon hain or kan sa aur kio bol rahay hain?(three questions)
Aba g: ma tera aba g bol raha hn (answer 1)
Momo: abba g? hay ap kahan hain aba g?
Aba g:ma station sa bol raha hn. (answer 2)
Momo: Ap station sa kio bol rahay hain aba g?
Aba g :Oye ma station per khara hn
Momo: Tou ap kahan ja rahay hain aba g?
Aba g :Oye ma ja nai raha ma a raha hn.
Momo: Han tou kahan sa a rahay hain ap?
Aba g :Oye ma gar a raha hn (answer 3)
Momo: Thek ha aba g gar pohanch ker na phupo sa meri bat karveay ga .ok.
Aba g :Oye meri magror bachi ma teray gar a raha hn.
Momo: Hain tou phir ap station per kio kharay hain.hmaray gar tou koi train nai ati.
Aba g :Phone rakh ma rikshay ma bhait ker a raha hn 2727

Momo : hello
Aba g :hello
Observing maxims but the style and way of uttering this is cause of
Laughter and humor.
Momo : hello , hello g
Aba g: o bi hello
Repetition of “hello” is source of humor and “o bi” by abba g is a
way of insult and a show of being fed up.
2828

Analysis of dialogue # 1
Momo: o bi ap kon hain or kahan sa aur kio bol rahay hain?
Aba g: ma tera aba g bol raha hn
• Three things are asked but only one question is replied
that is true , relevant and clear but other two questions
aren’t replied so quantity maxim is not observed. So it
does have humorous effect which results in extended
dialogue.
Momo: abba g!hy ap kahan hain aba g?
Aba g:ma station sa bol raha hn.
Though all maxims are observed but it creates humor as
the 2nd
speaker is just answering the question on its literal
level only and doesn’t tell about purpose of being there
and that leads to more questions by the 1st
speaker and in
this way dialogue gets extended and humorous.
2929

Momo: Ap station sa kio bol rahay hain aba g?
Abba g:Oye ma station per khara hn
• Both relevance and quantity maxims are not observed as the
answer is not providing the required information and that is creating
humor as in context expected answer is “main tmharay gar a raha
hn” but here the answer means oye wahan khara hn is liay tou
wahan sa bol raha hn) that is humorous
Mom: Tou ap kahan ja rahay hain aba g?
Abba g:Oye ma ja nai raha ma a raha hn.
• Again relevance maxim is not observed as the anwer is not relevant
to the question . It creates humor.
• non observation of quantity maxim is also creating humor as in
context expected answer is “main tmharay gar a raha hn”
3030

Momo: Han tou kahan sa a rahay hain ap?
Abba g: Oye ma gar a raha hn.
• non observation of quantity maxim is creating humor as in answer
the word “gar” is not providing complete information(it should have
been tumharay gar)
• As it is ambiguous reply so it is also not observing the manner
maxim also and due to it next dialogue comes which again is a
source of humor.
Momo: Thek ha aba g gar pohanch ker na phupo sa meri bat karveay ga
.ok.
Abba g: Oye meri magror bachi ma teray gar a raha hn.
• The response is irrelevant as far as the request by momo is
concerned so maxim of relevance is violated . but in the whole
scenario it is making sense if we follow what has been there in past
lines.
3131

• Momo: Hain tou phir ap station per kio kharay hain.hmaray gar tou
koi train nai ati.
• Abba g: Phone rakh ma rikshay ma bhait ker a raha hn
Maxim of relevance is not observed as the question is an inquiry but
in reply there is no answer for it but instead it informs about coming
to home.
So finally Momo gets answers to her three questions but step by
step because of non observation of the maxims which makes this
dialogue the humorous one as a part of a whole sitcom ”Bulbulay”
3232

Findings from dialogue #1 in the light of
objectives of the study
(i)Are the maxims of conversation violated to create
humour?
yes
(ii) If they are violated, then how and by whom?
sometimes individual violation but some times two maxims are
violated at the same time . The main character momo is the cause
of violation which results in further violations.
(iii) Does observation of these maxims also result in
humor ?
Yes , when words are taken in literal sense ,and to the point and
only relevant replies appear, then this observance too creates
humor.
(iv) Which maxims are mostly violated and why?
It is the Quantity maxim that is violated most of the time ,
sometimes alone and sometimes with manner or relevance
maxim. 3333

CONT.
it is violated by providing less than required information.
(v) What is the impact of observing or violating the
maxims ?
It makes the situation funny and results in humor and extension of
dialogue.
(vi) What kinds of rhetorical techniques are used to create
humour? How are they used and by whom?
i. Technique of Insult by abba g
ii. Misunderstanding between both characters
iii. Wordplay(like station , gar)
iv. Repetitions:( like hello , abba g)
3434

Clipping dialogue # 2Clipping dialogue # 2
3535
clip2.wlmp

dialogue # 2dialogue # 2
Momo: Aba g..Momo: Aba g..
Mehmood: aray ma tumhara aba nai shohar hnMehmood: aray ma tumhara aba nai shohar hn
Momo: Oye , meray aba g.Momo: Oye , meray aba g.
Mehmood: Aray kia hva ha? (question )Mehmood: Aray kia hva ha? (question )
Momo: Abba gMomo: Abba g
Mehmood: Aray kia hva ha aba g ko?(question repeated)Mehmood: Aray kia hva ha aba g ko?(question repeated)
Momo: Aba g-----Momo: Aba g-----
Nabeel: Nana abbuNabeel: Nana abbu
Mehmood: Aray hva kia ha yar? (question repeated)Mehmood: Aray hva kia ha yar? (question repeated)
Nabeel: O yar mehmood sb meri man ki halat daik ker be ap poch rahayNabeel: O yar mehmood sb meri man ki halat daik ker be ap poch rahay
hain k kia hva..o meray nana abu mer gay, mer gay, mer gay..abhain k kia hva..o meray nana abu mer gay, mer gay, mer gay..ab
kia hoga?kia hoga?
Momo: Teray moun ma nakMomo: Teray moun ma nak
Mehmood: HakMehmood: Hak
Momo: Han teri nak ma hak.aba g maray nai hainMomo: Han teri nak ma hak.aba g maray nai hain
Nabeel: Han mehmood sb meray nana abu maray nai hain zahmi hvay hainNabeel: Han mehmood sb meray nana abu maray nai hain zahmi hvay hain
3636

Momo: Oye habardar jo meray aba g k baray ma kahen wo kiaMomo: Oye habardar jo meray aba g k baray ma kahen wo kia
toutou
Mehmood: Wo kiaMehmood: Wo kia
Momo: Wohi jo ulti hoti haMomo: Wohi jo ulti hoti ha
Mehmood: Hy hy, kaisi gandi batain kar rai ho momo tumMehmood: Hy hy, kaisi gandi batain kar rai ho momo tum
Momo: Han batain ,nai nai bat , oye habardar jo meray aba g kMomo: Han batain ,nai nai bat , oye habardar jo meray aba g k
baray ma kisi na koi galat bat ki hobaray ma kisi na koi galat bat ki ho
Nabeel: Tou ap ro kio rai the? (question repeated)Nabeel: Tou ap ro kio rai the? (question repeated)
Momo: Husi mainMomo: Husi main
Nabeel: HainNabeel: Hain
Momo: Han putar teray nana abu a rahay hain(answer toMomo: Han putar teray nana abu a rahay hain(answer to
question)question)
3737

Analysis of dialogue # 2Analysis of dialogue # 2
Momo: Aba g..
maxim of Quantity is not observed as less information is provided ,and
at the same time manner is too flouted as just uttering ‘abba g’ is
creating ambiguity
So humor is created because audience know the background situation
and characters unaware of it say following lines that create humor
for the audience
Mehmood: aray ma tumhara aba nai shohar hn
humor is created because the person doesn’t get the real person to
whom she is referring to but his expectations about the following of
maxims by others create humor and he taunts her for calling him her
aba g
Momo: Oye , meray aba g.
Maxim of relevance is not observed as the expected answer to the
previous line was to give an explanation but she repeats by adding
“meray” that clears the situation to whom she is referring to 3838

3939
Mehmood: Aray kia hva ha?
A direct question that observes all maxims but the tone and situation make it
humorous still
Momo: Abba g
Again quantity and manner maxims violated. maxim of relevance is also not
observed as there is no answer to the asked question.
Mehmood: Aray hva kia ha yar?
Again question but aray and yar indicate his curiosity and comment on not
getting the exact answer. So funny situation is that one is in need of knowing
the real situation but the other is just uttering ambiguous words
Nabeel: O yar mehmood sb meri man ki halat daik ker be ap poch rahay
hain k kia hva..o meray nana abu mer gay, mer gay, mer gay..ab kia hoga?
Quality maxim is not observed as character is supposing on his own behalf
the matter without any confirmation. the audience roars with laughter as they
know the reality . Moreover, the repetition of certain phrase “mer gay” is also
a source of laughter. Last line “ab kia ho ga” is uttered to show his concern
about the tragic seriousness of the situation and to sympathize with his
mother but that will be taken how by Momo is very humorous.

Momo: Teray moun ma nak
Maxim of Manner is flouted as moun ma nak is unclear term and it
amuses the viewer a lot as Momo is a typical character whose use of
such ambiguous wording is a routine source of humor
Mehmood: Hak
(Quantity maxim is flouted as he doesn’t say “teray moun ma hak” to
correct her, just as in routine in each dialogue he corrects her by
giving the right word only)
Momo: Han teri nak ma hak.aba g maray nai hain
As usual she accepts the right word and corrects her by putting it in
wrong order and again produces a funny dialogue. In her second
utterance she corrects Nabeel but still she hasn’t answered the
question put by Mahmood about what happened to her abba g . so
quantity maxim is not observed here. 4040

Nabeel: Han mehmood sb meray nana abu maray nai hain zahmi
hvay hain
(Nabeel’s second try to guess is again a violation of the maxim of
quality as he has no authentic proof to say that and audience again
smile on his expected insult by momo)
Momo: Oye habardar jo meray aba g k baray ma kahen wo kia
tou
(maxim of manner is flouted as her “wo” is unclear but audience know
mehmood will be there to find it out for them so more humor is
expected)
Mehmood: Wo kia?
Observing the maxims but way of asking makes it comic)
Momo: Wohi jo ulti hoti ha
Again non observance of manner as unclear it is. 4141

Mehmood: Hy hy, kaisi gandi batain kar rai ho momo tum
(Momo’s use of certain double meaning words creates
misunderstanding and that is cause of humor too. here too
mehmood is creating such situation)
Momo: Han batain ,nai nai bat , oye habardar jo meray aba g k
baray ma kisi na koi galat bat ki ho
Momo gets the word from mehmood’s utterance and completes her
message now that is nonobservance of manner maxim
Nabeel: Tou ap ro kio rai the?
Instead of excusing in response or promising not to say bad about her
father he doesn’t observe relevance maxim in immediate context
but in broader context of the dialogue ,he puts a direct question and
observes maxims of manner , quality and relevance.
4242

Momo: Husi main
(Non observance of quantity and manner maxim as complete answer
is not given yet)
Nabeel: Hain
(maxim of quantity and manner is flouted as instead of asking” kaisi
husi” his expression shows surprise on her weeping and also in a
sense a request to tell the reason)
Momo: Han putar teray nana abu a rahay hain
Finally at the end of dialogue the initial question asked by Mehmood is
responded .here she is observing the quality and quantity maxims
but it is still creating humor.
4343

Findings from dialogue #2 in the light of
objectives of the study
(i)Are the maxims of conversation violated to create humour?
yes
sometimes individual violation but some times two maxims are
violated at the same time . The main character momo is the cause of
violation which results in further violations . mehmood and nabeel
too violate certain maxims.
(iii) Does observation of these maxims also result in humor ?
Yes , when dialogues and utterances are taken in literal sense (as
mehmood takes momo’s aba g addressed to him),that creates
misunderstandings, then this observance and expectation of the
observance by some characters too creates humor.
It is the Quality maxim that is violated the most in this dialogue (as
nabeel without confirmation announces the death or injury of his
nana abu) 4444

Quantity maxim is too violated by momo when she provides less
than needed information and that results in unclear terms and
ambiguity which surely leads to violation of manner maxim.
(v) What is the impact of observing or violating the
maxims ?
dialogue. It leads to certain misunderstandings also.
i. Technique of repetition by momo(aba g, meray aba g)
ii. Technique of repetition by Nabeel(mer gay , mer gay , mer gay)
iii. Misunderstanding between characters
iv.Wordplay(like hak , nak)
v. Insult and threat ( momo to Nabeel ‘oye habardar)
4545

Clipping dialogue # 3
4646
clip3.wlmp

Dialogue # 3 between Nabeel ,Nana
abu and Mehmood
Nabeel: O nana abu ap na roza kio nai rakha?
Nana abu: La vae rozay sa yad aya aik dafa na ma rozay main
dangal larya
Mehmood: Apka roza tha?
Nana abu : O nai oye mera nai dojay pehlwan ka roza tha
Nabeel: Phirrr
Nana abu: Puttar mosam bara acha tha ,haliki halki thand thi
,bray waday medan ma pora pind he akhata tha
Mehmood: Phir kia hva aba g?
Nana abu: Ma apnay scooter tu utarya ,samnay wala pehlwan
apni cycle tu utarya. unhain apnay jism tay mitti mali ay
Nabeel: Hainn
Nana abu: Tay main fir gusay witch a gea ma mitti mali nai
Mehmood: Ap na moun per mal li 4747

• Nana abu: La vae ma unho ainj ker k sher di akh nal vekhea tay
unain menu billi di akh nal vekhea
• Nabeel: Nana abu wo sath billi b laya tha
• Nana abu: (talking to nabeel)O chup ker oye, (referring to
mehmood who has t his taken head in his hands)o kina
jhom ria ay.mazadar wakea hovay tay bohat he mazay
anday na samnay walay nu..fir ma pae kori,ma unho kori
paye tay o do kadam pechay hatya,ma akhea o gina
marzi pechay hatt,main tenu nai chadna,ma unhon ainj
ker k phutti ker k maran lae agay wadea ,utu magrib oye
ha, o apnay gar wal nathea,tay lo vae dangal aik wari fir
cancell.
4848

Nabeel: O nana abu ap na roza kio nai rakha?
(observing maxims as it is a direct question but it is humorous
because of “o” used by Nabeel as it shows he is tired of his nana
abu)
Nana abu: La vae rozay sa yad aya aik dafa na ma rozay main
dangal larya
(Non observance of relevance maxim as the question asked is not
replied .manner maxim is also violated as its ambiguous “razay ma
kon tha”. Quantity maxim is too violated as full information is not
provided that results in following inquiry by mehmood )
Mehmood: Apka roza tha?
(instead of saying phir to let nana abu continue with his narration he
asks a question but there is irony in his tone that appears to be
saying “ ap aur roza” that creates humor. Both manner and
relevance are violated)
Nana abu : O nai oye mera nai dojay pehlwan ka roza tha
Quality maxim is observed but Quantity isn’t observed as more than
required is said. Just “nai” was enough but he tells k dojay pehalwan 4949

• Nabeel: PhirrrNabeel: Phirrr
• ( a link word used to respond and give feedback but at the same time( a link word used to respond and give feedback but at the same time ironicironic
and humorous in the sense that they are bored and listening to him just toand humorous in the sense that they are bored and listening to him just to
please him. So tone and the way the utterance is performed in the context isplease him. So tone and the way the utterance is performed in the context is
humorous)humorous)
• Nana abu: Puttar mosam bara acha tha ,haliki halki thand thiNana abu: Puttar mosam bara acha tha ,haliki halki thand thi
,bray waday medan ma pora pind he akhata tha,bray waday medan ma pora pind he akhata tha
• (instead of coming to the point directly he is giving details that is a violation(instead of coming to the point directly he is giving details that is a violation
ofof quantity maximquantity maxim and element of exaggeration can also be noticed as aand element of exaggeration can also be noticed as a
rhetorical technique here creating humor . maxim ofrhetorical technique here creating humor . maxim of mannermanner is also violatedis also violated
as he isn’t brief)as he isn’t brief)
• Mehmood: Phir kia hva aba g?Mehmood: Phir kia hva aba g?
Violation ofViolation of relevancerelevance as instead of applauding or commenting on that allas instead of applauding or commenting on that all
he asks another question to reach to the end of story)he asks another question to reach to the end of story)
• Nana abu: Ma apnay scooter tu utarya ,samnay wala pehlwanNana abu: Ma apnay scooter tu utarya ,samnay wala pehlwan
apni cycle tu utarya. Unhain apnay jism tay mitti mali ayapni cycle tu utarya. Unhain apnay jism tay mitti mali ay
Shift to another language/dialectShift to another language/dialect is source of humor here.is source of humor here. QuantityQuantity
maxim is violated as more than needed information is given . element ofmaxim is violated as more than needed information is given . element of
exaggeration and self recommendation as rhetoric techniques are alsoexaggeration and self recommendation as rhetoric techniques are also5050

• Nabeel: Hainn
• (A stereotype remark by a typical character that is repeated in a dialogue
for a number of times to create humor)
• Nana abu : Tay main fir gusay witch a gea ma mitti mali nai
• (self praise is there and quantity maxim is violated as complete information
hasn’t come yet)
• Mehmood : App na moun per mal li ?
• Insulting remark in form of question that results in humorous situation as
on one side the other two characters are shown(not the viewers) to be fed
up from this detailed description and on the other the speaker ‘nana abu”
isn’t feeling it and is going on violating maxims and creating humor.
• Nana abu: La vae ma unho ainj ker k sher di akh nal vekhea tay
unain menu billi di akh nal vekhea
• A roar of laughter as he is violating maxim of relevance and instead of
replying Mehmood’ s question ,he is going on with his own story and here
self praise and exaggeration are also the rhetorical techniques used to
heighten the effect of humor.
• Nabeel: Nana abu wo sath billi b laya tha
• (an example of pun and wordplay and violation of relevance too) 5151

• Nana abu: (talking to Nabeel) O chup ker oye, (referring to
mehmood who has taken his head in his hands)o kina
jhom ria ay.mazaydar wakea hovay tay bohat he mazay
anday na samnay walay nu..fir ma pae kori,ma unho kori
paye tay o do kadam pechay hatya,ma akhea o gina
marzi pechay hatt,main tenu nai chadna,ma unhon ainj
ker k phutti ker k maran lae agay wadea ,utu magrib
oye ha,o apnay gar wal nathea,tay lo vae dangal aik
wari fir cancell.
• (relevance maxim not observed as Nab eel's question isn’t
answered and insult is the rhetoric tool to create humor . Quality
maxim is violated as without knowing the fact he asserts that
Mehmood is enjoying his story that is in fact contrary to facts .
Quantity maxim is violated as more then socially appropriate
information is given. Self praise is prominent. Repetition of “fir
ma pae kori and its reversal is humorous. Exaggeration and the
awaited end brings roars of laughter as it is trivial as compared to
the details given in the so detailed and exaggerated description.
5252

(i)Are the maxims of conversation violated to create humour?
yes, the prominent one is of quantity
sometimes individual violation but some times two maxims are violated at
the same time .The main character here nana abu is the cause of violation
which results in further violations . mehmood and nabeel too violate certain
maxims.
(iii) Does observation of these maxims also result in humor ?
no as if there is observation of one maxim, then there is violation of some
other maxim at the same time so this mixture gives a humorous touch to
the dialogue.
It is the Quantity maxim with the relevance maxim that is violated the most
in this dialogue (as nana abu’s lines in this dialogue are a proof to it)
5353

(v) What is the impact of observing or violating the maxims ?
dialogue. The characters are shown to be bored while providing a full
chance for viewers to laugh.
i. Repetition of “fir ma pae kori and its reversal is humorous by nana abu
ii. Irony and exaggeration(narration of dangal)
iii. Self praise(nana Abu's)
iv.Insult (by mehmood)
v. Code mixing(shift to Punjabi by nana abu)
5454

Some interesting findingsSome interesting findings
 More than one maxim can be violated in one utterance at the same time.
 In one utterance if one maxim is violated ,the other can be observed.
 Violation of maxims results in humor but observing the maxims in some
situations too creates humor.
 Only maxims aren’t a source of humor but many other elements are also
involved in the creation of humor in a sitcom.
 The maxims are clearly connected to each other . All of the maxims can
be violated individually, but some of them frequently co-occur.
 Quality and Manner are such a pair; they are often violated
simultaneously.
 the violations of the maxim of Quantity are usually tied to the violation of
the maxim of Manner, and this happens when a character either says too
much, or remains obscure and does not say enough.
 In addition, the maxims of relevance and Quantity also often seem to
overlap and co-occur
5555

THE RELATION BETWEEN THE PRAGMATIC AND THE
RHETORICAL STRATEGIES
1. The rhetorical strategies of humor are linked with Grecian’s maxims
because:
• they together are able to bring forward a more coherent picture of the
humor in such sitcoms.
• Due to the different nature of the 4 maxims, they co-occur with certain
rhetorical techniques in the sitcom
• The violation of the maxim of Quality co-occurs with ignorance, insult and
exaggeration
• The violation of Quantity occurs together with exaggeration , self praise and
mistake.
2. There are some cases where no violation of the maxims can be detected
but still humor is there and that is because of rhetorical strategies.
5656

 The rhetorical techniques of humor used to create humor in this sitcom
are:
 The language-based technique s :
a) wittiness,
b) Insults,
c) Exaggeration,
d) forms of wordplay
 The techniques of logic :
a) Mistakes (caused by bad judgment , lack of knowledge or sheer stupidity)
b) Ignorance
c) Repetitions and reversals
5757

conclusionconclusion
 Humor can be created through :
a. Violating maxims
b. Observing maxims
 Observation and violation of maxims results in:
a. Humor
b. Extension of dialogues
 Maxims in dialogues overlap each other and there are problems to
identify these.
 Though maxims are violated yet the characters are co operative as the
story goes on with a lot of humor.
 The rhetorical devices like wittiness, Insults, Exaggeration, wordplay
Mistakes ,Ignorance ,repetitions are also in use to create humor.
 Knowing maxims and rhetorical devices can be helpful to create ,
understand and enjoy a sitcom by observing and violating the maxims.
5858

 Not only dialogues but characters ,their actions ,expressions and
their style(of dressing , talking , walking) all contribute to make this
sitcom a humorous one.
 Based on this study it can be stated that the humor in this sitcom is
based on intentional misuse of language, and the main strategies
have been violations of the maxims , as well as, for example,
insults, exaggeration , ignorance.
 This analysis is hoped to help with people’s appreciation as well as
creation of humor.
5959

REFERENCES
Attardo, S. ( 1994) Linguistic Theories of Humor. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Berger, A. A. (1995) Blind Men and Elephants Perspectives on Humor. New
Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.
Grice, H.P. (1975). Logic and Conversation. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Thomas, J. (1995) Meaning in Interaction: an Introduction to Pragmatics. London :
Longman
Lectures delivered by Prof Dr Sarwat Rasul
www.google.com
6060

politeness and humor:analysis of PakistaniTV sitcom Bulbulay

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