Nationale Spielarten von Humor (GE)

Abstract

The paper deals with the perception of humour in different cultures and presents various attempts of humour researchers, cultural anthropologists, psychologists, linguists, writers, communication experts and media scholars at describing and categorizing the specific features of the humour produced and favoured by some nations. A special focus lies on the generally contested German humour. While stereotypes, blanket statements or subjective assessments are clearly unavoidable, they can, however, offer interesting insights in the mentality and traditions of other peoples that are relevant to cross-cultural communication and may enhance the spirit of tolerance towards alterity as well as contribute to the reduction of existing prejudice.