Abstract: Humor is a common phenomenon but complicated to be achieved and understood. Linguists conduct researches on linguistic humor from various perspectives: Semantics, Pragmatics, Social linguistics, Rhetoric, Psychological linguistics and Cognitive linguistics. The American sitcom The Big Bang Theory has drawn attraction from an increasing number of Chinese audiences. This paper will discuss its lines of the four main characters in terms of four rhetorical devices: irony, euphemism, pun, metaphor and analyze how they are used and how the humorous effect is achieved, hoping to help the readers to have a better understanding of the lines in The Big Bang Theory and appreciate this sitcom. Also with the hope to apply rhetorical devices in the future writings well.

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

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

1.1 Definition of Humor

1.2 Definition of Rhetorical Devices.

1.3 Relationship between Humor and Rhetorical Device

2. Classification of Humor2

2.1 language humor

2.2 Cultural humor

2.3 pragmatic humor

3. Analysis of Humor Reflected by Some Rhetorical Devices.4

3.1 Introduction to The Big Bang Theory 

3.2 Typical Rhetorical Devices Reflected Humor in The Big Bang Theory

 3.2.1 Irony

 3.2.2 Euphemism

 3.2.3 Pun

 3.2.4 Metaphor

3.3 The role of context

4.Conclusion10

Bibliography11

Acknowledgments.12