Walter Nash Books

The broad aim of this lively and engaging book is to examine relationships between the linguistic patterns, the stylistic functions, and the social and cultural contexts of humour. The material used in illustration is of corresponding breadth: schoolyard jokes, graffiti, aphorisms, advertisements, arguments, anecdotes, puns, parodies, passages of comic fiction, all come under Dr Nash's scrutiny.

Exploring the multifaceted theme of usage, this book delves into how language shapes communication, reflects social dynamics, and adheres to literary conventions. It examines the interplay between established norms and creative expression, offering insights into the evolution of language since its first publication in 1991.