‘IHRE BEISPIELE HINKEN NICHT NUR, SIE SIND SOGAR AMPUTIERT!’ BONDING, BOUNDING AND BITING HUMOUR IN GERMAN POLITICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

This article explores the forms and functions of humour in German political discourse. Regarding the creators and recipients of humour in its various forms as belonging to political ‘communities of practice’, both internal (i.e. within the Bundestag), and external (the wider political environment, including the public and the media) provides a framework for interpreting humorous utterances as performances of political identity and affiliation. It is argued that these performances cohere around the two main functions of ‘bonding’ and ‘bounding’ – linguistic behaviour that signals membership of a particular political grouping on the one hand, and rejection of rival groups on the other hand. The concepts of ‘bonding’ and ‘bounding’ in political discourse explain not only the preference for particular types of humour, but also the wider public expectation that politicians engage in humorous exchanges.