Children's understanding of the meaning and functions of verbal irony
Children's understanding of the meaning and functions of verbal irony
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DOI：
10.2307/1131767
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发表时间：
1996-12-01
影响因子：
4.6
通讯作者：
Smarsh, B
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dews, S;Winner, E;Smarsh, B
We investigated children's understanding of irony and sensitivity to irony's meanness and humor. In Study 1, 89 participants (5-6-year-olds, 8-9-year-olds, adults) heard ironic and literal criticisms, and literal compliments. Comprehension of irony emerged between 5 and 6 years of age. Ratings of humor increased with age; ratings of meanness did not (showing that all ages perceived irony as more muted than literal criticism). In Study 2, results from 135 participants (6-7-year-olds, 8-9-year-olds, and adults) replicated these findings and revealed the role of form and intonation. Thus, comprehension of irony emerges between 5 and 6 years of age, and sensitivity to the muting function develops prior to sensitivity to the humor function.
