Self-mockery: A study of Persian multi-party interactions

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated self-mockery as an exemplar of jocular mockery. Drawing on authentic verbal data, collected in a university dormitory in Isfahan, Iran, this paper examined the interactional functions of self-mockery, and how self-mockery arose and was responded to in Persian face-to-face multi-party interactions. Seven cases of self-mockery were identified in the recorded transcripts of six multi-party conversations. Analysis of the transcripts indicates that self-mockery was performed to fulfill three interactional functions: (i) saving one’s own face; (ii) saving the face of the listeners; and (iii) bringing reciprocated amusement to the conversation. Furthermore, self-mockery was performed in response to either humor initiated by other interlocutors, or the display of humiliation. The results also revealed two interactional functions for the recipients’ responses, including (i) saving the face of the self-mocker; and (ii) bringing amusement to the conversation. By and large, the results indicated that the relative appropriateness of the response strategy may depend on the interactional function of self-mockery that the recipient wishes to fulfill. And finally, the results showed that the self-mockers and the recipients go along with each other’s interactional exchanges to maintain interactional solidarity.