Language Stategies Showing Humour in Kuanmuk Narrative and Dialogue in the Royal Khon Performance

Abstract

This article aims to study and analyze language strategies showing humour in Kuanmuk narrative and dialogue in the Royal Khon Performance in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2018. Four years of Khon Performance data was taken from live performance tapes and dialogues were transcribed into text to analyze. The research found that 9 language strategies were used as follows: 1) Teasing (Direct and indirect teasing) 2) Contradiction 3) Obscene word 4) Literary parody 5) Using symbols 6) Conflict 7) Using language creates humour (Using foreign languages, dialects and volume to give a clear picture) 8) Unexpected ending and 9) Abbreviation. These language tactics are intriguing audiences to follow the show. Although the humour presentation is simple, using meaningful words and language strategies made people laugh out loud. Moreover, violent words from the presentation has been softened to create the sense of humour. It can be considered a linguistic phenomenon that indicates the potential of humour in various media clearly.