Below are two common types of humour often used in New Zealand:

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Amanda Thompson
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Language Focus: www.worldwideschoolofenglish.

The New Zealand sense of humour often centres upon sarcasm or teasing.

word spoken, you may not get the joke. Grant & Delvin: Kiwi Conversations, AIT.

used to mean the opposite of their literal meaning.

1 Language Focus: Humour is another aspect of life that differs among cultures. The New Zealand sense of humour often centres upon sarcasm or teasing. Unless you understand the nature of local humour, even though you may understand every word spoken, you may not get the joke. Grant & Delvin: Kiwi Conversations, AIT. Below are two common types of humour often used in New Zealand: Sarcasm (n): words are used to mean the opposite of their literal meaning. While it was raining very heavily Sarah said to Jacqui, What a lovely day! Teasing (n): making fun of a person s mistakes, behaviour or physical appearance. James falls over his bag and Tracey says, Did you enjoy your trip?

Jane has caught a cold and feels sick. Mark is sad and disappointed that his company did not get the business deal.

Sarah: Morning, Jane. You re looking better, almost human. (1) Jane: Oh, you re too kind. Sarah: How s your cold today? Jane: Marvelous, thanks.

Two co-workers in the office: Mark: I can t believe we didn t finish the project! Colin: Don t worry, Mark. There is always next time.

2 Jane has caught a cold and feels sick. Mark is sad and disappointed that his company did not get the business deal. The following conversation dialogues include examples of kiwi humour : 1. Two housemates early in the morning: Jane: [grumbles ] Morning. Sarah: Morning, Jane. You re looking better, almost human. (1) Jane: Oh, you re too kind. Sarah: How s your cold today? Jane: Marvelous, thanks. I feel fantastic [grumbles ] (2) I think I ll go back to bed. Sarah: Ok, I ll bring you a cup of tea. That might make you feel better. 2. Two co-workers in the office: Mark: I can t believe we didn t finish the project! Colin: Don t worry, Mark. There is always next time. Mark: Yeah, but we really needed that deal. Colin: Oh, cheer up, mate! You ve got a face on like a funeral! (3) Which sentences [1-3] in the conversations above are examples of: (a) sarcasm? (b) teasing? Scroll down and check your answers!

Slang words are also often used in humour in New Zealand. Look at the example of a common adjective in New Zealand English dodgy [pronounced dod-gee ].

My car s a bit dodgy at the moment (b) I drank too much last night.

3 Slang words are also often used in humour in New Zealand. Look at the example of a common adjective in New Zealand English dodgy [pronounced dod-gee ]. Can you match the meanings with the example sentences on the right? Dodgy (adj):. Means = bad = unreliable = spoiled = sick/unwell = suscpicious = risky Example expression (a) Can we take your car? My car s a bit dodgy at the moment (b) I drank too much last night. I m feeling a bit dodgy (c) "This fish smells strange, I think it s a bit dodgy" (d) It s a bit dodgy if we rent the car without the insurance (e) the policeman said we looked dodgy but we were just standing on the street corner doing nothing! (f) My test scores are a bit dodgy Below are some more adjectives used to describe people in New Zealand. Look them up online at to discover their meanings. dodgy awesome honest spunky nasty cool rude chatty gorgeous hot Which ones have a positive (+) meaning and which ones are negative (-)? Positive Negative

4 Syllables refer to the sound parts of each word. For example, dodgy is pronounced as [dod / gee] = 2 syllables. The first syllable is stressed, as in [DOD / gee]. Now put the words from the vocabulary focus into the syllable columns below: rude dod / gy?

5 Reading Focus: Conversation 1 Sarah: Morning, Jane. You re looking better, almost human (1) = teasing. Making fun of physical appearance. Jane: Marvelous, thanks. I feel fantastic (2) = sarcasm. Using positive words to describe a truly negative feeling. Conversation 2 Colin: Oh, cheer up, mate! You ve got a face on like a funeral! (3) = teasing. Making fun of physical appearance. Vocabulary Focus: bad = f unreliable = a spoiled = c sick/unwell = b suspicious = e risky = d Positive Negative awesome dodgy honest nasty spunky rude cool chatty hot* *as in, good looking not temperature.

6 Pronunciation Focus: rude cool hot dod / gy nas / ty gor / geous spun / ky hon / est awe / some chat / ty NONE Text Box Leaf Backgrounds: 2009, Nerdbusiness.com %20Leaf%2031.jpg , Wallcoo.net com%5d_2560x1600_widescreen_greenleaves_wallpaper_da035062f.jpg

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