Types of ironic speech acts in gay romance novels

Abstract

      The objective of this study was to explore the types of ironic speech acts in gay romance novels. Analysis was conducted on 523 statements in conversations between the boy lovers in 10 gay romance novels using the conceptual framework of types of ironic speech acts. The following types of ironic speech acts were found: 1) Verbal irony as conversational implicature consisting of 1.1) Contradictory adjacent expressions, 1.2) Irrational expressions, 1.3) Overly exaggerated expressions, 1.4) Inappropriate language, 1.5) Special intonation, and 2) Conversationalized ironic implicature or the use of typical metaphors. The type of ironic speech acts most often found was a combination of two types, and that least found was a combination of four types.