The document discusses two models for analyzing language variation and humor - the S.P.E.A.K.I.N.G model and the V.A.R.I.E.S model. The V.A.R.I.E.S model categorizes humor and language variations according to Vocation, Age, Region, Informality level, Ethnicity, and Sex. The document then provides examples of humor types that fall under each category of the V.A.R.I.E.S model. It concludes by asking the reader to provide their own jokes that relate to the categories in the V.A.R.I.E.S model.

1. 1
V.A.R.I.E.S.
Language and Humor Variation
by Don and Alleen Nilsen

2. 2
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
• There are various ways of saying basically the same
thing, but the words we use tell stories about who
we are.
• Humorous language takes advantage of our
differences. It’s often these very differences that
make a joke funny.
• Linguists use the S.P.E.A.K.I.N.G. or the V.A.R.I.E.S.
models of language and humor variation to describe
the important differences that are exhibited amongst
speakers in our society.

3. 3
S.P.E.A.K.I.N.G. MODEL
by John Gumpers and Dell Hymes
• S-Setting
• P-Participants
• E-Ends
• A-Act Sequence
• K-Key Tone or Mood
• I-Instrumentalities (writing vs. speech)
• N-Norms (expectations of the situation)
• G-Genre (e-mail, chant, research paper)

4. 4
V.A.R.I.E.S. MODEL
by Don and Alleen Nilsen
• V-VOCATIONAL JARGON AND HUMOR
– Computer Guys, Doctors, Lawyers, Linguists, Teachers
• A-AGE-RELATED LANGUAGE AND HUMOR
– Children, Teenagers, Old People
• R-REGIONAL LANGUAGE AND HUMOR
– California, Canada, New York, South
• I-INFORMAL OR FORMAL LANGUAGE AND HUMOR
– Casual Acquaintances, Lovers, Friends, Relatives
• E-ETHNIC LANGUAGE AND HUMOR
– Blacks, Indians, Jews, Mexicans
• S-SEX-RELATED LANGUAGE AND HUMOR
– Males, Females, Lesbians, Gays

5. Vocational Humor:
Anthropologist Humor
5

6. Business Humor
6

7. Computer Humor
7

8. Medical Humor
8

9. Lawyer Humor
9

10. Linguistic Humor
10

11. Literary Scholar Humor
11

12. Mathematician Humor
12

13. Psychologist Humor
13

14. Sociologist Humor
14

15. Teacher Humor
15

16. Age-Related Humor:
Baby Humor
16

17. Children’s Humor
17

18. Teenager Humor
18

19. Old Person Humor
19

20. Really Old Person Humor
20

21. Regional Humor
21

22. American Dialect Society
American Dialect Society:
http://americandialect.org/
22

23. Australian Humor
Lost Baggage:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?
q=youtube+australia+lost+baggage&view=detail&mid=C9207D3C358B582
8C7D8C9207D3C358B5828C7D8&FORM=VIRE
23

24. British Humor
Accents and Archetypes of Great Britain:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?
q=youtube+british+dialects&view=detail&mid=2DDBFA52A6AC272F4D9D
2DDBFA52A6AC272F4D9D&FORM=VIRE
24

25. New England Humor
25

26. Southern Humor
26

27. Surfer Dude Humor (California)
27

28. Valley Girl Humor (California)
28

29. Western Humor
29

30. Canadian Humor
30

31. Informal or Formal Humor: Intimate
31

32. Casual
32

33. Formal
33

34. Frozen
In The Five Clocks, Martin Joos
distinguished between five forms
of communication:
Intimate
Casual
Consultative
Formal and
Frozen
34

35. Ethnic Humor
35

36. Hispanic Humor
Dia de Los Muertos
36

37. Asian Humor
37

38. Black Humor
38

39. Jewish Humor
39

40. Mormon Humor
40

41. Sex-Related Humor:
Men’s Humor
41

42. Women’s Humor
42

43. Gay Humor
43

44. Lesbian Humor
44

45. Transvestite Humor
45

46. Now it’s your turn. Tell us some jokes that relate to the
V.A.R.I.E.S. Model
• V-VOCATIONAL JARGON
– Computer Guys, Doctors, Lawyers, Linguists, Teachers
• A-AGE-RELATED LANGUAGE
– Children, Teenagers, Old People
• R-REGIONAL LANGUAGE
– California, Canada, New York, South
• I-INFORMAL OR FORMAL LANGUAGE
– Casual Acquaintances, Lovers, Friends, Relatives
• E-ETHNIC LANGUAGE
– Blacks, Indians, Jews, Mexicans
• S-SEX-RELATED LANGUAGE
– Males, Females, Lesbians, Gays 46