This issue of the Yazigi Institute's bimonthly newsletter is devoted to a discussion of the importance of humor in the teaching and learning of a foreign language. It begins with several quotations from well-known linguists, humorists and teachers about the need for humor in the language class. Several examples of humor in the textbooks of the…

Two experiments to study the development of the meaning of laughter in children are reported. A pilot study presented recorded audio tapes with both humorous and nonhumorous episodes, some with accompanying canned laughter, to 24 boys between the ages of 4 and 6 years. Observers recorded durations of laughter and smiling. Results showed that both…

Designed for use by the general reader, the college student, and the teacher, this book analyzes the life and literary career of Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw), emphasizing his literary ventures and artistic talents. The analysis reveals Billings' talents as a subtle humorist, homespun philosopher, and artist of the essay. Chapters include…

This book surveys the history of comic films from the beginning of this genre to the present and analyzes the nature of comedy in general and the comic film specifically. The early film makers, especially Keaton, Sennett, and Chaplin, receive detailed attention as originators of the sub-genre of silent comic film. The special characteristics of…

The development of children's humor is described, focusing on the cognitive aspect of what is funny and how this relates to children's intellectual growth. Cognitive elements that facilitate children's humor are identified as: (1) the ability to grasp incongruities, (2) the presence of an intellectual challenge, (3) timing, (4) novelty, and (5) a…

This study investigated the relative effectiveness of a political speech of refutation using humor and one which did not use humor. Three speeches were tape-recorded and played before 328 college freshmen students: the first was a speech of advocacy, the second was a speech of refutation, and the third was the same as the second, but humor was…

The smiles and laughter of an infant form the beginning of the developmental process of interpersonal interaction and socialization. The earliest smiles are automatic expressions of internal states, but soon infants' smiles are communications of pleasure. The developmental changes in smiling and laughing in early infancy reflect the rapidity with…

This paper offers a humorous parody of the way in which evaluation teams often enter clinical institutions to do program evaluation studies. The parody emphasizes the over-use of sophisticated techniques and methodologies; as well as expensive equipment. The authors then define evaluation as "determining the degree to which a program is meeting…

A discussion of "Asterix," the comic book series, and an analysis of its use of myths and stereotypes usually associated with the French. Some of these are: their love of food, individualism and spirit of resistance, sense of "Frenchness," and "esprit." Goscinny succeeds in making these stereotypes universal in application. (AMH)

Notes that Robert Toll's study of American minstrelsy is weakest where it is most important, in his consideration of the characteros of minstrelsy as reflective not of black life but of white images of blacks. (Author/AM)

Provides examples of attention-getting headlines from school and commercial newspapers and lists rules for writing clever, effective headlines. (GW)

Surveyed 290 workers on job satisfaction and impressions of supervisors as a function of subject age, subject gender, supervisor sense of humor, and supervisor sexual humor. Subjects rating supervisors high in sense of humor reported higher job satisfaction and rated other supervisor qualities higher than did subjects rating supervisors low in…

Describes the wide variety of personal statements and "mini-poems" on personalized license plates. Suggests that having students collect such statements might be a way of teaching them about the creative potential of language. (EL)

Recounts tales--in the tradition of Chaucer--that have implications for the potential of the microcomputer in learning and teaching reading. (FL)

Humor in teaching can promote a positive and cohesive class atmosphere but can also have unintended negative results if the teacher does not first develop a supportive relationship with the students. (Author)