Abstract: As a unique language art, humor connects with people’s daily life tightly. The research to humor is no longer limited in the verbal expression and written literature. More and more linguists set their foot in the humor created from sitcoms. Friends is a classic American sitcom whose influence is still continuous today. The Big Bang Theory is a new sitcom that is popular among young people. This thesis comparatively analyzes the humor strategies utilized in sitcoms in accordance with the Cooperative Principle in the method of case study and regards Friends and The Big Bang Theory as object. The purpose is to conclude the humor strategies used in sitcoms and to find out the similarities and differences. It will help us to understand humor and Cooperative Principle more specifically as well as to communicate with Americans well.

Key words: humor; sitcom; Cooperative Principle;

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Literature Review 

1.2 Purpose and Significance of the Study

2. Research Methodology.5

2.1 Relevant Theory

2.2 Case Study

2.2.1 Violating the Maxim of Quantity

2.2.2 Violating the Maxim of Quality

2.2.3 Violating the Maxim of Relation

2.2.4 Violating the Maxim of Manner

3. Statistic Data and Analysis.8

3.1 Collecting the Data

3.2 Analysis the Data

  3.2.1 The Similarities between Friends and The Big Bang Theory

  3.2.2 The differences between Friends and The Big Bang Theory

4. Conclusion10

  4.1 The Major Findings of the Study

  4.2 The Limitations of the Study

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12