The linguistic complexity of humor is illustrated with examples of word play translated from French to English and English to French. Examples from the writings of James Joyce and Marcel Proust are highlighted. (CB)

Explores the relations between temperament, communicative competence, and humor expression among four- and five-year-old nursery school children. Shows that ratings of communicative competence and various dimensions of temperament account for a significant proportion of the variance in the reported frequency of children's laughter and verbal and…

Two matched forms of a 50 item grammar test were developed. Twenty items designed to be humorous were included in one form. Inclusion of humorous items did not affect grammar scores on matched humorous/nonhumorous items, nor on commmon post-treatment items. Inclusion did not affect results of anxiety measures. (Author/DWH)

Reviews research dealing with cable television and local news, photographs of the invasion of Poland in American newspapers, unauthorized use of a newspaper's name, newspaper coverage of President Reagan's China policy, perceptions of viewer interest by local television journalists, humorous advertising in the "Saturday Evening Post"…

This workbook, for grades four through six, offers a humorous slant on the subject of grammar through comical examples of incorrect usage, in addition to exercises with a logic twist. The workbook teaches basic rules of language mechanics and reinforces the rules by showing the logic behind them. The book gives instruction, examples, and practice…

Using humor and examples from real-life experience, the book provides advice and information in question-and-answer form for women regarding all aspects of work life in higher education. Chapters cover: graduate school as a rite of passage, and discussions of the demands of graduate study and the commitments required; strategies for finding and…

This is the fifth paper published by The Centre for Literacy in its Working Papers on Literacy series, which presents new perspectives on literacy-related topics relevant to researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. This paper was adapted from a longer manuscript submitted by Kieran Egan in 1999 for the UNESCO Award for Research in Adult…

Undergraduate students completed a regular class test of 35 multiple-choice items, interspersed with five humorous verbal items written in multiple-choice format or selected syndicated cartoons. A questionnaire revealed that, although student perceptions of test humor were positive, they were less positive about verbal items. (Author/CM)

This article points out how teachers can create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning through the use of sensitivity, humor, and discipline methods. Techniques for teaching students self-discipline also are discussed, along with 13 recommendations of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County (Maryland) for using school policy,…

Audio-taped lectures by male or female professors were produced in four versions: no humor; sexual humor; other-disparaging humor; and self-disparaging humor. Male and female students rated lecturers' intelligence and appeal. Intelligence ratings were unaffected by humor variations, but significant lecturer-student sex interactions were found on…

Highlights events of the 1997 conferences sponsored by the Wisconsin Library Association Support Staff Section. Discusses keynote presentations on attitudes of library personnel and the importance of working with change and presentations on the areas of diversity, communication, the Internet, and humor. (AEF)

Presents a quiz for use in the advanced English classroom that introduces language learners to a variety of amusing slang expressions and idioms. The learner is led to consider the possibility of a little-known rule in English: male=positive, female=negative, and is offered an opportunity for discussion and vocabulary building. (Author/VWL)

Shared laughter is a powerful way to reinforce learning, and it helps to make tasks less laborious and threatening. Humor, retention, anxiety; engaging in spontaneous and planned humor; concerns about humor use; and personal humor growth and integration with instruction are discussed. (MLW)

Reviews theory and research on the relationship between humor and creativity. Briefly describes two Israeli projects aimed at encouraging humor creativity in adolescents and at teaching teachers to use humor to foster creativity. (FMW)

Discusses the value of wordless picture books. Topics addressed include children's attitudes toward wordless books; historical tradition; sequencing; illustrative details; the use of humor; the development of oral and written language skills; self-confidence; creative thought; and natural language competencies. (Contains 20 references.) (LRW)