‘She is like a Yakshini': Cover Image

‘She is like a Yakshini':
‘She is like a Yakshini':

character construction via aggressive humour in Chinese sitcom discourse

Author(s): Ying Cao, Chong Han, Xiangdong Liu, Adrian Hale
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Media studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Communication studies, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics
Published by: Krakowskie Towarzystwo Popularyzowania Wiedzy o Komunikacji Językowej Tertium
Keywords: aggressive humour; impoliteness; sitcom discourse; Chinese;

Summary/Abstract: This paper looks at the importance of aggressive humour in the discursive construction of a ‘Yakshini’ character in a popular Chinese sitcom, Ipartment. The exaggerated, aggressive nature of such a stereotypical character undermines traditional cultural norms of Chinese femininity. Such characterisation of a heroine through aggressive humour in a popular sitcom reflects the fact that empowering women has become (or is becoming) more acceptable in contemporary China.

  • Issue Year: 9/2021
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 110-130
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: English