Humour and culture
Post categories: Teacher blog
| 11:00 UK time, Monday, 14 February 2011
Hi Olga!
Well, I have already learnt something new about Russian culture! I had no idea that black humour was such an integral part of Russian life. But your example joke demonstrates very well how people use humour to help them cope with a bleak situation. I totally agree that it's very difficult to translate jokes: understanding humour very often depends on knowing the culture that produced the joke. To tell you the truth, it was always a hairy moment when one of my students decided to tell me a joke. Quite often, I didn't appreciate the joke, because I didn't understand the culture... but I did my best to laugh anyway...
We British people also use humour to cope with problems and frustrations, but I don't think British humour is quite as black as Russian humour. Brits often use sarcasm in their humour: for example, if someone has to stand in a queue for a long time, they might say 'Isn't this wonderful? I love spending my entire lunch hour standing in a queue.' In fact, they mean the exact opposite - they think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue. You can often tell when a British person is being sarcastic by the tone of their voice and the look on their face, but sometimes it's hard to be sure. Sometimes they use colourful language too, which helps you to understand that they don't really mean what they are saying.
On to the English lesson... you have used some lovely phrases Olga, especially at the start of your sentences, such as these:
- It is a pity that the real Russian jokes, cool ones are unlikely to be translated.
- So, as a bottom line I can say that Russian humour is subtle yet cuts like a blade!
- It is worth mentioning Russian profanity ("mat"). (I've deleted 'about' - we don't need a preposition with 'mention').
- But I think I should give you at least one anecdote...
And you've also used linking devices such as 'despite', 'although' and 'however' effectively.
I didn't spot any binominals in your blog, but for all those people who did their 'homework' last week - congratulations to all of you: everybody got the right answers! Just to confirm the correct answers:
- (1) bits and pieces - (c) a variety; lots of different types
- (2) born and bred - (b) was born and grew up
- (3) scrimped and saved - (d) saved as much money as possible, by only spending money on things that were absolutely necessary
- (4) trials and tribulations - (a) problems, challenges, difficulties
You can find more information and quizzes about binominals in The Flatmates episode 81 and The Flatmates episode 99.
And now for some advice and corrections. The first thing I'd like to mention is this sentence:
Humour is being used as an "antidepressant" by Russian people since far from now.
You're talking about something that started in the past and is still happening now, so you need to use the present perfect tense. So instead of using the present continuous passive (is being used), you need to use the perfect form. Strictly speaking, the perfect continuous passive of 'is being used' is 'has been being used', but English speakers almost never use this. It's a bit of a mouthful! Instead, they use the present perfect simple tense and say 'has been used'.
You've used the word 'since' to refer to a point in the past - that's super! But 'far from now' doesn't sound quite right. I suggest changing it to 'the olden days' - it's quite a poetic expression in English, but it sounds just right for your blog! So your complete sentence would read:
- Humour has been used as an "antidepressant" by Russian people since the olden days.
And finally, I want to focus on this sentence:
- Why are we laughing on where we should cry?
I think this sentence could be improved by rewriting it like this:
- Why are we laughing when we should be crying?
Does it sound better to you? I hope so! I've done a couple of things to improve it. First, I've got rid of the preposition 'on' (we don't need it) and changed 'where' to 'when'. I've also used the continuous form in both the verbs 'laugh' and 'cry':
- Why are we laughing when we should be crying?
It gives a nice rhythm and balance to the sentence, don't you think? Repeating grammatical structures in a sentence is called 'parallel form'. It's a very nice technique to use in your writing. Parallel form makes your sentences very elegant!
Here are some more sentences from my blog that use parallel form. I've highlighted the matching verb forms:
- (participle + noun) Understanding humour very often depends on knowing the culture that produced the joke.
- (present simple negative + object) I didn't appreciate the joke, because I didn't understand the culture...
- (the + noun + of/on their + noun) the tone of their voice and the look on their face
And now, Olga and everyone else, here is this week's homework task. It's in 2 parts. Here is part 1: Can you spot any more examples of parallel form in my blog? You should be able to spot at least 2 in the second paragraph.
And for part 2 of your homework - everybody please try to use parallel form in at least 2 sentences in your next blog / comments!
That's all from me for now - be good and take care!
Catherine
Useful vocabulary
- black humour - talking about the bad side of life in a joking way.
- integral - a central or essential part
- bleak - depressing, hopeless
- colourful language - swearing, cursing
- a bit of a mouthful - a phrase or sentence that is quite complicated and difficult to say out loud
Comment number 1.
At 15th Feb 2011, Captain wrote:could you tell me whether there is any omission or inflextion,when it comes to [θs] and [ðz], and please show me minutiae respectively,thank you all the same!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 15th Feb 2011, abdallah wrote:Hi Catherine
i am not surprised that i answered correctly for the last blog (no self-conceit ),and i hope these answers be correct too.
the answers for the first paragraph are :
1 - ( I love spending my entire lunch hour standing in a queue. ) spending + standing
2 - ( they think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue ) they think + they hate
here i am answering the part 2 with committing :
i completely learn from your blog and enjoy when read it ( 1 ) , first for the structures, it benefits me to get the nice score of the IELTS exam because you remind me structures maybe i dont use it for a long time, second the vocabulary, because if i dont use them , i lose them ( 2 ).
thank you
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 15th Feb 2011, abdallah wrote:correction for my last sentence in my last blog : if i dont use them i dont remember them ( 2 )
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 15th Feb 2011, Marcel wrote:Hello Catherine!
It's good to hear that I did my last homework task correctly.
I hope I'll catch the right answers again! Here's my homework.
Part I
"they think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue."
(they think and they hate --- past simple)
"You're talking about something that started in the past and is still happening now, so you need to use the present perfect tense."
(are talking and is happening --- present continuous
Part II
I'm sitting here in my home office and trying to find the right words for my homework. It seems to be a difficult one for me as it remains to be true that my English knowledge isn't very well. So I'm truly considering whether I'd do better to put it off till tomorrow. But, honestly, my English knowledge won't mushroom between nightfall and daybreak and parallel forms won't be easier to compose tomorrow. So, should your task truly be too much for me? Wait! I've already done it by only voicing my thoughts and conflicts. Well, it's done :)
Thanks a million for you help!
All the best from Germany!
Marcel
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 16th Feb 2011, Olga wrote:Hello Catherine!
Very nice to meet you!! Thank you for your corrections it is very important for me. I am going to post my next blog soon so see you in a couple of days:)
Olga.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 16th Feb 2011, marco wrote:Hi Catherine,
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½work part one:
They think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue
if someone has to stand in a queue for a long time, they might say
Part two
I'm so glad I've found this part of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ web site and after two weeks I continue to find new arguments that make interesting and easier improve my english.
Find a teacher and read her lessons on this blog let me study the language in the evening when I've finished my job and all the family is quiet.
I'm grateful to you for your suggestions; after 25 years for me is just like come back to school.
Marco from Italy.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 17th Feb 2011, arthur wrote:hello
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 18th Feb 2011, efagundes wrote:Dear Catherine,
I am from Brazil.
it is my first time here. I really loved your comments and advices in Olga's text. I am sure this site will help me a lot to practice my bad english. I think this is a unique opportunity to learn with a native speak english.
see you soon
Evandro
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 18th Feb 2011, panpan wrote:Hello, Catherine,
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½work Part I:
1.I love spending my entire lunch hour standing in a queue.
2.they think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½work Part II:
Recently, I am surprised at my behavior: after reading the article in network and having the courage to post my comment here. This is my first time to give it a try. Thank you for your sharing.
Best Regards
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 19th Feb 2011, Cybele wrote:part 1:
1. I love spending my entire lunch hour standing in a queue.
2. they think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 19th Feb 2011, DentistBasma wrote:Hi
I think the answer is :
1.I love spending my entire lunch hour standing in a queue.
2.they think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue.
^_______________^
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 19th Feb 2011, Tadassa wrote:Hello Catherine,
Here it's my task:
Part 1.
"I love spending my entire lunch hour standing in a queue."
"spending and standing" -gerunds followed after certain verbs, e.g love +ing.
"they think it's terrible and they hate spending their entire lunch hour in a queue."
they think - they hate= simple present and with the verb "hate" we need to use -ing form.
Part 2:
Dear Catherine, your explanation and examples were really helpful for me because I took notes about certain points you mentioned, finally I hope to practise this topic in future in my writings.
See you,
Tadassa
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 21st Feb 2011, sabath wrote:hello catherine,you're right,sometimes is really dificult understand diferent humor sense or jokes,I'm mexican and I have a shower every day,I'm a clean person,I use perfums,I try to be a good citizen,I study and work hard every day,all the time!!and I try to improve my life and myself like a lot of mexicans,however in a brithish tv program,british people said that mexicans are lazy,fool and ...oh yes I remember...mexicans stink!!!!!-
next that people said: this is a joke!!.
Believe me,that situation was really disgusting and sad, no just for me,everyone in my country felt angry about "british humor sense".
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)