Abstract

Rhetorical devices, an essential component of rhetoric, are language forms that are typically regarded as methods to achieve special effects that transcend the literal meaning in specific language contexts. Humorous language is usually the expression full of rhetorical devices. In humor of sitcom The Big Bang Theory, rhetorical devices take a large percentage in producing humorous utterances. That is to say, the flouting of the four maxims of the Cooperative Principle mixed with rhetorical devices is employed as a very effective way to create humor. Due to this, this study aims to analyze the rhetorical devices employed in humorous utterances in The Big Bang Theory (TBBT).
This paper could be divided to three parts: 1. the relationship between pragmatic and rhetorical devices. 2.Pragmatic analysis of common used rhetorical devices in The Big Bang Theory 3.Significance of the research in rhetorical devices to the communication.

Key words:  The Big Bang Theory, humor, rhetorical devices, context

摘要

修辞手法作为修辞学的一个重要组成部分，是在特定语言环境下实现言外之意的主要手段。许多修辞格己成为幽默的常见有效载体。本文以美剧“生活大爆炸”中常用修辞手法为研究对象，对其进行语用分析。从而得出修辞手法的运用导致合作原则的违反，是产生幽默的重要来源。本文拟以该剧中的一些典型对白为研究素材，研究修辞手段和幽默效果。
第一章引言，简要介绍本文的理论研究依据，研究目的、研究方法。第二章到第六章将分别多角度地分析讽刺、暗喻、双关、夸张等六种常见的修辞手法在不同语境中的作用和使用方法。阐释它们在该剧中的使用方法和使用效果。最后总结修辞手段在日常对话中的应用性，提出了本分析成果对幽默理论的推进、情景喜剧的欣赏与英汉文化交流的积极意义。

关键词：生活大爆炸; 幽默; 修辞手法; 语言情境

1.    Introduction
1.1 Rhetorical devices
With the great success in the market of soap opera, The Big Bang Theory defeat many other sitcoms with its humorous language. Since the characters in this TV show are mostly highly educated, the language used should be wiser and more vivid. Humorous language is usually the expression full of rhetorical devices. In humor of sitcom The Big Bang Theory, rhetorical devices take a large percentage in producing humorous utterances. That is to say, the flouting of the four maxims of the Cooperative Principle mixed with rhetorical devices is employed as a very effective way to create humor. Due to this, this study aims to analyze the rhetorical devices employed in humorous utterances in The Big Bang Theory (TBBT).