Sociolinguistics Inquiry on the Humor Production of Tagalog Tertiary Students

Abstract

The present quantitative-qualitative study utilized the dynamic sociological approach to analyze and describe how humor is gendered among 240 (equal distribution of male, female, gay and lesbian) middle-class Tagalog university students, ages 18 to 25. The 240 participants answered the Humor Production Sheet. Thirty-two participants (equal gender distribution), from the original 240 participants, also worked on a 21-day humor journal. The participants’ humor scripts were described, compared, and contrasted among genders to illustrate how humor as a discourse mode enables individuals to celebrate their values, perspectives and multi-faceted experiences inclusive of their societal, cultural, and personal roles. The researchers also developed a framework for analyzing humor types. Results show that, of the 449 humor scripts produced, positive humor was the most prevalent. Aggressive, self-defeating, sexual and sexist humor followed. Participants did not produce ethnic or national humor type. The researchers concluded with some implications to gender and development as well as curriculum development.

Keywords: culture, language, gender, humor production

JEL Classification: I29