On the Speech Style and Humour Effect of the Chinese Stand-up Comedy “ROCK & ROAST”

Abstract

Stand-up comedy, originating from the West and now thriving in China, has become widely accessible to the general public through hit variety shows like “ROCK & ROAST.” The humorous and witty expressions of stand-up comedians have made this format widely appreciated by audiences nationwide. Stand-up comedy, as a unique form of performance art, is characterized by its distinctive language style. As an improvised speech, the show needs to attract the audience quickly. Stand-up comedians usually need to be adept at using colloquial language to connect with the audience. Compared with formal written language, the speech of stand-up comedy is more concise, easier to understand, and richer in humour.

This study utilizes discourse analysis and content analysis methods. By systematically examining the transcripts of talk shows, research results: the use of modal particles, internet vocabulary, and dialect vocabulary in speech style makes the language livelier, and many words are vivid and interesting, which easily triggers humour. With over a hundred dialects spoken across China, each with its distinct vocabulary and pronunciation, dialects play a crucial role in comedy performances. They bring performers closer to their audience and provide them with diverse linguistic tools, blending humour to create distinctive punchlines.
The use of dialect in a particular context highlights the regional characteristics and creates a unique atmosphere of humour.