'The strengths of the book are many, the most important of which are the use of real spoken conversation to analyze a topic of much interest in current linguistics analysis and the use of copus techniques in a relevant and accessible manner. Partington offers valuable insights, a clear and comprehensive review of foregoing research, and a consistent and easy-to-follow format... By the end of the book, the reader feels as though she has come to know the participants of these briefings, and an inevitable fondness for them develops. Thus Partington acheives a delicate and difficult balance.' - Christy Bird, University of California Santa Barbara, USA

• Introduction. Laughter-talk: research questions and methods 1. Joke Humour Theory and Language Principles 2. Laughter in Running Discourse: Shifts of Mode, Narrative, Role and Register 3. Face-work and the In-Group 4. Wordplay, Phraseplay and Relexicalization 5. Teasing and Verbal Duelling 6. Irony and Sarcasm 7. General Conclusions Appendices Notes Bibliography

'The strengths of the book are many, the most important of which are the use of real spoken conversation to analyze a topic of much interest in current linguistics analysis and the use of copus techniques in a relevant and accessible manner. Partington offers valuable insights, a clear and comprehensive review of foregoing research, and a consistent and easy-to-follow format... By the end of the book, the reader feels as though she has come to know the participants of these briefings, and an inevitable fondness for them develops. Thus Partington acheives a delicate and difficult balance.' - Christy Bird, University of California Santa Barbara, USA

• Introduction. Laughter-talk: research questions and methods 1. Joke Humour Theory and Language Principles 2. Laughter in Running Discourse: Shifts of Mode, Narrative, Role and Register 3. Face-work and the In-Group 4. Wordplay, Phraseplay and Relexicalization 5. Teasing and Verbal Duelling 6. Irony and Sarcasm 7. General Conclusions Appendices Notes Bibliography

'The strengths of the book are many, the most important of which are the use of real spoken conversation to analyze a topic of much interest in current linguistics analysis and the use of copus techniques in a relevant and accessible manner. Partington offers valuable insights, a clear and comprehensive review of foregoing research, and a consistent and easy-to-follow format... By the end of the book, the reader feels as though she has come to know the participants of these briefings, and an inevitable fondness for them develops. Thus Partington acheives a delicate and difficult balance.' - Christy Bird, University of California Santa Barbara, USA

• Introduction. Laughter-talk: research questions and methods 1. Joke Humour Theory and Language Principles 2. Laughter in Running Discourse: Shifts of Mode, Narrative, Role and Register 3. Face-work and the In-Group 4. Wordplay, Phraseplay and Relexicalization 5. Teasing and Verbal Duelling 6. Irony and Sarcasm 7. General Conclusions Appendices Notes Bibliography