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Article published In:
Pragmatics
Vol. 33:2 (2023) ► pp.209–236

Nigerian stand-up comediennes performing femininity

A pragmatic analysis

ORCID logo | Augustine University, Ilara-Epe | Chemnitz University of Technology

Nigerian stand-up comedy has attracted several investigations from different disciplinary perspectives; however, there has been little research interest into the performance of femininity in the genre. Coming from pragmatics, this paper analyses how Nigerian comediennes use the language of humour to (de)construct sociocultural perspectives on the female identity. Data comprise purposively selected routines of three female comics while Kecskes’ (2014) approach to intention serves as the theoretical framework. Comediennes employ different pragmatic strategies that reference their intention to reinforce or challenge the traditional image of femininity. Analysis reveals comediennes perform the popular perspectives on femininity, which are enshrined in the wider sociocultural context of the country.

Keywords: gender, humour, intention, socio-cognitive pragmatics, identity, stand-up comedy
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background to the study
  • 3.Gender and humour
  • 4.Methodology
  • 5.Theoretical background
  • 6.Analysis and findings
    • 6.1Performing the heteronormative status of women: Females as appendages of men
    • 6.2Playing with taboos: Illustrating social inhibitions
    • 6.3Humour subverting the domestic image of women
    • 6.4Humour subjectifying the female body
  • 7.Discussion and conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 31 October 2022
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.20014.fil
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