Sarcasm and Criticism as Basis of Filipino Humor: An Interactional

Sociolinguistics Approach to Exchange of Jokes among College Students

by

Lablynn Yvette F. Bautista

A major paper submitted to Prof. Jerry R. Yapo of

University of the Philippines Los Banos

in partial fulfilment of the requirements for

COMA 202: Discourse Analysis in Communication

Los Banos, Laguna

October 12, 2012

I. Context and Significance

We Filipinos love jokes. We are very humorous. We laugh at jokes even if it is

full of sarcasm and criticism. According to Victor Raskin (1985), “responding to

humor is part of human behavior, ability or competence, other parts of which

compromise such important social and psychological manifestations of homo sapiens

as language, morality, logic, faith, etc. Just as all of those, humor may be described as

partly natural and partly acquired”.

In this paper, I will use interactional sociolinguistics to analyze the exchange of

jokes among college students using sarcasm and criticism as basis of humor.

Interactional sociolinguistics (IS) looks into the socially conditioned patterns in

conversations. It is influenced by John Gumperz, an anthropologist and Erving

Goffman, a sociologist. It tries to explain how social conditions and technicalities in

language affect interaction— the way we utter and the way our utterances are

interpreted. Since the backbone of interactional sociolinguistics is the detailed

transcription of audio-or-video interaction, a recorded conversation among college

students exchanging jokes will be deeply discussed. Additional opinions from other

college students via the internet will also be use as additional references. Tannen

1992 said that in sum, interactional sociolinguistics is a major field of research at the

intersection of linguistics and anthropology. Because it frequently identifies discourse

strategies as associated with culturally identifiable speakers, and examines the effects

on interaction of the differing strategies of culturally different speakers. It sheds light

on the nature of meaning in language, and on the nature of language in interaction.

 Since I am going to concentrate on analyzing sarcasm and criticism as the basis of

humor, let me give a brief definition for these terms. Sarcasm is defined in The

Oxford Universal Dictionary, published in 1933, as "a sharp, bitter, or cutting

expression or remark; a bitter gibe or taunt." More contemporary definitions often

emphasize the false, mocking praise and verbal irony of sarcasm rather than its

malicious or scornful intent. However, the etymology of the word "sarcasm" clearly

indicates that wounding was--at least historically--the primary point. Scientific proof

has emerged in the past few years that understanding sarcasm requires social

intelligence (from the website of Sarcasm Society). On the other hand, criticism is

defined in Webster's New World College Dictionary, published in 2010 as “the act of

finding fault; censure; disapproval”.

Today, we are very fond of using sarcasm and criticism in our jokes. To better

understand these jokes that became a normal part of our lives, this paper will analyze

the IS structures, and the different impacts of these jokes in each of us.
II. Problematique and Objectives

Nowadays, it has been an ordinary part of any casual conversation (sometimes

even in serious talks) to exchange jokes, using sarcasm and criticism as basis of

humor. One of the major factors, I believe is due to media portrayal. Though almost

all of us use this kind of jokes (sadly even children), in this paper we will only focus

on college students, since they can create darker jokes using sarcasm and criticism.

These jokes have different impact to each student since not all the time that these

jokes are harmless and not all of them are really enjoying it. Using interactional

sociolinguistics we will be able to dig deeper on the structures of these jokes.

Specifically, this paper hopes to achieve the following objectives:

1. To identify the structures of these jokes using interactional sociolinguistics

approach.

2. To evaluate the influence of media portrayal in using sarcasm and criticism as

basis of humor.

3. To determine the different impacts of these jokes in each student.

III. Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework that guides this study is interactional sociolinguistics.

By using competing perspectives, I am able to develop uncharted perspectives in

analyzing the use of sarcasm and criticism as basis of humor, how media portrayal

contributes to these jokes and the impacts it gives per individual.

IV. Analysis and Interpretation

Complete Conversation as Recorded with English Translation:

A: Bakit? Tulong mo na nga yun sakin eh.

Why? That’s all you can help me with.
B: No, no, may birthday din ako. May birthday din ako.
No, no, I also have a birthday. I also have a birthday
C: May birthday kaming lahat, kami talaga, nakikisali.

We all have birthdays, as in we, like I’m involved.

B: Oo, kasi may party, dito rin sa baba. Attend ka.
Yes, because there’s a party, in the lobby. You can attend.
May paparty ako sa buong White House (Apartment).
I will organize a party for the whole White House (Apartment).
A: Bilis na…

Please…
D: Yung wala si Ogre.
When Ogre is not around.
B: Oo, kaso te, kaylangan mo akong tulungan nun, since party yun kaylangan natin ng
disco ball. Ikaw lang yung tagahawak dito sa taas (3rd floor).
 However te, you need to help me, since it is a party, we need a disco ball. You will be
the one to hole it here in the third floor.

D: Hahaha..Ganun, lagi umiikot?

Hahaha..Really? always moving?
B: Hahaha. Hindi nakaano lang, nakasabit yun disco ball sa stick tapus ihahaba mo lang.
Icenter mo dun sa baba ha.

Hahaha. No, just put the disco ball in a stick then make it longer. Put it in the center of
the lobby huh.
A: Ang sama nyo.
You’re all bad.
C: Hindi na natin kaylangan ng disco ball.
We don’t need a disco ball.
B: Ayan oh, nakakarecieve ka na ng ano jokes namin.
See, you are already receiving jokes from us.
C: Hindi tayo maano yan, kailangan ng ano, kaylangan nalang natin syang isabit tapus
magrerent nalang tayo ng lightstop.
No, we don’t need that, we just need to hang her and then we just need to rent a lightstop.
D: Hahahaha.
Hahahaha.
B: Hindi, di di di.
No, no, no, no.
A: Bakit napakakuripot nyo pagdating sa ganyang bagay?
Why are you so thrifty on things like that?
B: Anung sabi mo C?
What did you say C?
D: Ano si Ate A, mirror?

What do you think of Ate A, mirror?

B: Si Ate A yung..
Ate is..
C: Oo, birthday daw ni Ate A.
Yes, it’s Ate A’s birthday.
B: Ahhhhhhhhh…
(Clapping of hands)

D: Hahahaha
A: Enough! (rising intonation)
*Each letter signifies the participants.
This is an actual conversation of the author with her housemates, who are college

students in the same university. First let us analyze the obvious use of sarcasm and

criticism and its underlying meaning in the table below:

Sarcasm Underlying Criticism Underlying

Meaning Meaning
B: No, no, may A is requesting D: Yung wala si Ogre is a monster.
birthday din ako, may for something Ogre. Here, B calls
birthday din ako. since it’s her When Ogre is not someone as Ogre.
No, no, I also have a birthday but B around. This “Ogre” is not
birthday. I also have jokingly good looking, that
a birthday disagrees saying is why some of the
that he also has boarders gave her
a birthday. the nickname Ogre.
Underling For other reasons
meaning is besides her
equivalent to appearance, the
saying “So what author is not aware.
if it’s your
birthday, I also
have a
birthday”.
C: May birthday C here supports B: Oo, kaso te, In this joke, A is
kaming lahat, kami B, same kaylangan mo akong being teased to be
talaga, nakikisali. meaning as tulungan nun, since the one who needs
We all have birthdays, mentioned party yun kaylangan to hold the disco
as in we, like I’m above. natin ng disco ball. ball on the party. It
involved. However, as Ikaw lang yung is making fun of
another basis of tagahawak dito sa someone to do the
humor, the taas (3rd floor). odd job.
speaker himself However te, you
ridicule himself need to help me,
 joking for since it is a party,
chipping in. we need a disco ball.
You will be the one
to hole it here in the
third floor.
B: Oo kasi may party, The criticism C: Hindi tayo maano Since A has a broad
dito rin sa baba, mentioned yan, kailangan ng forehead, C used it
attend ka. above is the ano, kaylangan as joke, saying
Yes, because there’s a follow up of this nalang natin syang there is no need for
party, in the lobby. sentence. B is isabit tapus a disco ball and a
You can attend. joking that A magrerent nalang lightstop is all
should attend tayo ng lightstop. needed.
and there’s a No, we don’t need
funny reason that, we just need to
why she needs hang her and then
to attend. we just need to rent
a lightstop.

B: Ayan oh, A is asking for D: Ano si Ate A The mirror is also

nakakarecieve ka na permission to mirror? (Criticism) connected with the
ng ano jokes namin. record their What do you think of broad forehead of
See, you are already conversation for Ate A, mirror? A. This one can
receiving jokes from the purpose of also be identified as
us. this paper and sarcasm. Today,
this was also not all sarcasm
use as a sound sarcastic
sarcastic joke in since it is used as
this basis of humor,
conversation. there are many
variations on how it
can be delivered in
a conversation.
C: Oo, birthday daw C makes fun
ni Ate Lab. that A is the
Yes, it’s Ate A’s birthday
birthday. celebrant. It like
saying that this
our birthday gift
for you, to hold
the disco ball or
be used as a
disco ball or all
the previous
jokes can be
taken as a gift
also.
 Let us discuss the structure of the conversation based on interactional

sociolinguistics. Social situation dictates how we behave during interaction and it was

shown in this conversation. Language, culture and society are “situated”, meaning

based on context. That is why these jokes were understood by all the participants. As

we read or listen to this conversation, the conversation displays the relationship of the

participants with one another. They are friends. Besides going to the same school, they

are also living in the same house. In terms of discourse strategies, it is shown in the

conversation how the participants speak for one another, overlapping and interrupting

each other in the process yet it’s no big deal for anyone. The humor is more important

and since they have an intimate or personal relationship with each other, it becomes a

natural thing in the conversation. The conversation is very spontaneous with chipping

in from time to time. Another key element in Gumperz's theoretical framework is

shown in the sequence of this conversation, this is called conversational inference:

not only do participants glean meaning from words and phrases as they occur, but they

also make active predictions about what will come next, based on the line of

interpretation suggested by on-going talk as measured against prior interactive

experience (Tannen, 1992). Also, as seen by Goffman, the language produced in this

interaction becomes the means for accomplishing continual shifts in footing among

participants. In this conversation, A is the author. B is the principal or spoken for,

while C and D are the animators. Below is a table that shows the parts of the

conversation. The chipping ins were highlighted, also we will also identify the direct

and indirect recipient of these messages and how variables like prosody (intonation,

pitc, etc.), grammar and pronunciation can result to a misunderstanding if not fully
 aware to the flow of conversation. I will also give additional observation since I am

also a participant of this conversation.

Conversation Analysis
A: Bakit? Tulong mo na nga yun sakin eh. Here A is originally talking to B only.
Why? That’s all you can help me with. B answered. C chips in. Indirect
B: No, no, may birthday din ako. May birthday recipient of C’s message is A.
din ako.
No, no, I also have a birthday. I also have a C’s intonation here is slightly sarcastic,
birthday however since the mood of the
C: May birthday kaming lahat, kami talaga, conversation is joking, it’s not an issue
nakikisali. to the other participants. There age
We all have birthdays, as in we, like I’m bracket are almost the same too which
involved. contribute also to a better
understanding of each other, beside the
facts that they are friends, schoolmates
and housemates.
B: Oo, kasi may party, dito rin sa baba. Attend B is talking to A when D chips in.
ka. Direct recipient of D’s message is B.
Yes, because there’s a party, in the lobby. He received an answer with a Yes from
You can attend. B.
May paparty ako sa buong White House
(Apartment).
I will organize a party for the whole White
House (Apartment).
A: Bilis na…
Please…
D: Yung wala si Ogre.
When Ogre is not around.
B: Oo, kaso te, kaylangan mo akong tulungan
nun, since party yun kaylangan natin ng disco
ball. Ikaw lang yung tagahawak dito sa taas (3rd
floor).
However te, you need to help me, since it is a
party, we need a disco ball. You will be the one
to hole it here in the third floor.
D: Hahaha..Ganun, lagi umiikot?
Hahaha..Really? always moving?
B: Hahaha. Hindi nakaano lang, nakasabit yun In his first message highlighted here,
disco ball sa stick tapus ihahaba mo lang. C’s direct recipient is B. In the second
Icenter mo dun sa baba ha. message, C’s indirect recipient is A
Hahaha. No, just put the disco ball in a stick
then make it longer. Put it in the center of the
lobby huh. A jokingly said “Ang sama nyo (You’re
A: Ang sama nyo. all bad), using an intonation which
 You’re all bad.
C: Hindi na natin kaylangan ng disco ball.
We don’t need a disco ball.
B: Ayan oh, nakakarecieve ka na ng ano jokes
namin.
See, you are already receiving jokes from us.
C: Hindi tayo maano yan, kailangan ng ano,
kaylangan nalang natin syang isabit tapus
magrerent nalang tayo ng lightstop.
No, we don’t need that, we just need to hang
her and then we just need to rent a lightstop.
D: Hahahaha.
Hahahaha.
B: Hindi, di di di.
No, no, no, no.
A: Bakit napakakuripot nyo pagdating sa
ganyang bagay?
Why are you so thrifty on things like that?
B: Anung sabi mo C?
What did you say C?
(Received an answer later from B asking what
he says again, this is after 5 exchange of
dialogues with the other participants from the
time it was said)
D: Ano si Ate A, mirror?
What do you think of Ate A, mirror?
B: Si Ate A yung..
Ate is..
C: Oo, birthday daw ni Ate A.
Yes, it’s Ate A’s birthday.
B: Ahhhhhhhhh…
(Clapping of hands)
D: Hahahaha
A: Enough! (rising intonation)
makes her seem sad. A here seems to
just go with the flow of the
conversation even if the main subject is
her.
At the end of the recorded
conversation, A uses a rising
intonation. For those who will listen to
it with an ending like that, they may
think that A was angry after all the
jokes centered on her. However in real
life, there was no misunderstanding
that happened among the participants,
they are all aware that the complete
conversation was just a joke. A uses a
rising intonation as another way of
joking too. Although the conversation
started with A requesting for B’s
approval for a recorded conversation, it
was just lucky that this conversation
was recorded at the appropriate time
where the mood is good. It is just a
proof that today, in almost all casual
conversations among college students,
these kinds of jokes, using sarcasm and
criticism as basis of humor is very
common. According to Goffman, social
condition affects how we behave in
social interactions and our behaviors in
interaction may also be influenced by
the setting. It also affects our
involvement in conversations. If we are
with people we are close to, we may be
as involved as we could get and
interact more, compared to when we
are with people who are just
acquaintances, we may just be involved
in the conversation minimally.
A here has the minimal response, one
of the possible reason affecting her
response is because she is the main
subject of the jokes.
 Beyond this recorded conversation, it is important to discuss one of the major

factors which resulted to this kind of jokes to be common which is the influence of media

portrayal. However we will focus on its influence to college students. Today, almost all

of us know Vice Ganda.

Even though sarcasm and criticism is already being used as basis of humor before

he became mainstream, still we cannot deny the fact that his joking style became so

popular that even its influence can now be seen in all forms of Filipino life. Our society

and culture greatly affects our language which can be seen in our everyday conversations.

We chose to follow what we see and hear however there are also times where

subconsciously we are already doing it without really noticing especially if almost

everybody around us is doing it. This applies with jokes.

According to Wikipedia, Vice Ganda is best known for his stand-up routines, for

which he uses observational comedy on typical “Pinoy” lifestyle and using situational

irony and sarcasm pertaining to Filipino culture & behavior and human sexuality. Even if

it is not mention here, he also uses criticism as a basis of humor. These facts are not

mentioned here as a negative trait, in fact I believe that many of us were amazed with his

verbal wit.

I found a blog via the internet entitled “Vice Ganda Syndrome”, the author is

unknown. However, this blog was able to get the attention of many people especially

college students who post their comments in the site. The blogger defined the syndrome

in the following manner “- ugali o asal ng isang taong pilosopo; bagong sakit ng tao na

sobrang advance kung sumagot at nakakayamot mangatwiran; lumilikha ng

pansamantalang katalinuhan habang ginagawang mangmang ang kausap; sintomas ng

isang taong mahirap kausapin na parang sinapian ng abogadong lulong sa pintura o

barnis” (www.definitelyfilipino.com/blog).

One of the comments is from Sheen Muega of Polytechnic University of the

Philippines, she posted: “It just implies how influencing Vice Ganda is. Kahit ako,

ganyan din ako magbiro. Sometimes kasi, nakakainis yung mga taong magtatanong pa na

obvious na ang sagot, nakakabobo lang. If they really want to start a conversation, as you

stated, mag effort naman silang mag isip no”. While Enrique Mendoza Dela Viña from

the University of the Philippines Diliman posted this: “Minsan kasi yun ang paraan to

acknowledge your presence, tatanungin ka ng obvious. Dapat nga appreciate mo pa na

acknowledge ka nila hindi yung dadaanan ka lang.”

Another comment is from NIF: “The article was well-written. I get the author’s

point, but I don’t think Vice Ganda should be blamed for this kind of “syndrome”, as the

author classified. Sarcasm has been around for as long as we can tell. It is synonymous

with satire, and satires are used as a source of entertainment during the olden times.

Sarcasm, therefore, is present to entertain (and not to bash others). Some people just

don’t get the point that it is not cool to make sarcasm a habit, or even a lifestyle. I’m not

an avid fan of Vice Ganda, but amongst all the comedians at present, I think he’s the

smartest and most articulate. This “syndrome” was not initially caused by him. Vice was

more like a trigger than a cause. Viewers have this mentality that whatever this renowned

personality does is fad or “in”, and they tend to imitate them. In this case, people should

be wiser to know whether what and what not to adapt. We should know better, because in

this judgmental society we are in, every little move becomes a big deal”. Indeed I totally

agree with him.

 Another comment is very disturbing in relation to the impact of jokes in each of

us. This is from Elijahsamayel O Blancaflor, he posted “It has become a new form of

bullying, commonly displayed in front of a group or audience. I cannot even call it

sarcasm. it's an insult sugar coated with a joke and yes it is sad that as young as we are,

we're exposed to this syndrome.”

I also found a research on the internet about the Impact of Vice Ganda's Jokes

and Expressions to Selected College Students of University of San Jose – Recoletos. The

study was conducted in the said university with 100 randomly selected respondents.

However, the questionnaires were evenly distributed to 4 gender preferences. To put, 25

for men, 25 for women, 25 for gays, and 25 for lesbians.

I just chose some of the most important results.

1. Vice Ganda jokes and expressions are considered new and popular by the most

number of respondents.

2. The respondents strongly agree that Vice Ganda has a good sense of humor and that

they are able to relate on the jokes and expressions of Vice Ganda.

3. Majority of the respondents say that they are sometimes affected with the jokes of

Vice Ganda because of discrimination, 53% of the respondents said so.

4. The 50% of the respondents say that they gain more confidence when they imitate the

jokes of Vice Ganda.

5. Majority of the respondents say that some people do not accept the way they follow

the jokes and expressions of Vice Ganda.

6. The 64% of the total number respondents affirmed to this statement. Majority of the

respondents said that they usually imitate the jokes of Vice Ganda while conversing

with other people like the "hindi hindi" (sarcastic) jokes of Vice Ganda.

7. Majority of the respondents also said that they see the jokes of Vice Ganda as a threat

to friendship. The 54 out of 100 respondents said that they are used to talk in the

Vice-Ganda manner.

Indeed, the impact of jokes using sarcasm and criticism as the basis of humor has

different impacts on each student. For college students, some may find it funny, some

may not and some just go with the flow. However, this kind of conversation should be

avoided to be used by little children talking to older persons or even to other children,

just like other bad habits, the results will surely not be good for them.
V. Summary and Conclusions

I am always proud to say that Filipinos are very cheerful people. No one can

deny that. We find humor even in difficult times. We can honestly laugh at our own

mistakes. We love to be happy. After my analysis on the interactional sociolinguistics

structure of jokes with sarcasm and criticism, I am amazed how we were able to

handle this kind of humor and even enjoying it. We were able to use sarcasm and

criticism in a light way, we may not sometimes like it but most of the times we do. At

least I can say it in behalf of all the college students I encounter from my college days

until today. Honestly, I think the general public were hooked by the Vice Ganda

syndrome.

However, at the end of the day, we still need to be sensitive enough to the

feelings of others. As I mention, not everyone enjoy these kinds of jokes especially if

they have a different culture (e.g. our foreigner classmates) or even other Filipinos

with a different perspective on sarcasm and criticism as basis of humor. In terms of

media portrayal, for college students who already know what is right from wrong and

that everything has a limitation, we must also apply it in our jokes. Again, the impact

differs depending on the individual. If you would like to avoid hurting other people’s

feeling, it’s better to pass an ordinary joke without sarcasm and criticism. Remember,

our humor is limitless; there are other ways to be funny and have fun.
VI. Implication and Recommendations

As I analyze the structures of jokes in the recorded conversation I got, I realized

how broad it is, my example here is not enough, since there are still many other forms

of jokes that uses sarcasm and criticism as basis of humor. However, it feels good to

know that with our friends, we can exchange these kinds of jokes without being

onion-skinned for the sake of fun (just be sure that all of the participants are in a good

mood). It is also a battle of wit, since you need to answer in the exact way or better

than the joke he/she gave you. If you have nothing to say, it’s better to just go with

the flow of the conversation. In terms of media portrayal, it is good to appreciate the

sense of humor of Vice Ganda, its ok to follow his style if you want to but still, let us

be responsible in every word we say. Let us remember that the impact it gives varies

per individual, we may never know that we already left a scar into someone’s dignity

due to these jokes. Let us use these in the appropriate time, mood and place.

A further study regarding the following subjects can be made:

1. Interactional sociolinguistics structures of other jokes with a different basis of

humor. (e.g. sexual seduction/green jokes)

2. Other factors affecting jokes with sarcasm and criticism that has not been fully

discussed. (e.g. other media portrayals that influence the general public)

3. Specific impacts of jokes (e.g. physical and psychological) using sarcasm and

criticism as basis of humor.

VII. References:

Cameron, D. (2001). Working with Spoken Discourse. London, California, New

Delhi. SAGE Publications

Criticism. Retrieved on October 7, 2012, from Your Dictionary online data

basehttp://www.yourdictionary.com/criticism

Impact of Vice Ganda's Jokes and Expressions to Selected College Students of

University of San Jose – Recoletos, Retrieved on September 29, 2012, from online
database: http://jijiuk.wix.com/viceganda-

Raskin, V. (1985) Semantic Mechanisms of Humor. Dordrecht, Holland: D. Reidel

Pub. Co.

Sarcasm - The Definitive Guide to Sarcasm: Etymology, History & Lore. Retrieved
on October 7, 2012, from Sarcasm Society online database:
http://www.sarcasmsociety.com/-

Schiffrin, D. (1994). Approaches to Discourse Analysis. Massachusetts. Blakwell

Punlishers

Tannen, D. (1992). Oxford International Encyclopedia of Linguistics, vol. 4, ed. by

William Bright (page 8-13). Oxford and New York. Oxford University Press

Unknown Author. (2012). Vice Ganda Syndrome. Retrieved on October 7, 2012,

from Definitely Filipino online database:
http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/02/12/vice-ganda-syndrome/-