英国人的笑点,首先在于自嘲,其次是讽刺,第三是制造各式“不合时宜”的窘境。此外很有特色的当属善于玩弄文字游戏。我主观臆断一句,以地球上各国人自嘲能力而论,英国人无出其右者,而难能可贵的是,他们自嘲起来几无下限。从个人、家庭、家乡、祖国,凡可以自我认同者,皆可以自我嘲讽。个中范例应属剧集《Little Britain》——标题又是一个文字游戏——肆意嘲弄着关于英国人的一切。自嘲是中国人不太做得来的事情,就算能笑笑自己,却不太能达到自嘲家、国、天下的水平,所以初涉英式幽默时,这可能是个巨大的文化隔阂。 English laughter, first of all self-deprecating, followed by irony, the third is to create all kinds of “outdated ” dilemma. In addition there are unique characteristics of being good at playing word games. My subjective assumption is that in terms of the ability of all peoples on Earth to ridicule themselves, the British have no other right but what is commendable is that they laugh at them without any minimum. From individuals, families, hometown, motherland, who can self-identity, can self-mockery. One of the examples should be the episode “Little Britain” - the title is another word game - wantonly mocking everything about the British. Self-mockery is something the Chinese do not do well. Even if they can smile at themselves, they can not achieve the level of self-deprecating homeland and country. Therefore, it may be a huge cultural barrier when they begin to engage in English humor.