Social Functions of humor in telecollaboration

Abstract

Considering that humorous moments (BELL; ATTARDO, 2010; KIM; PARK, 2017; REDDINGTON, 2015) can arise when language learners interact, this study aimed at understanding the social functions of humor in telecollaborative activities. For the analysis, data from telecollaborative sessions and a mediation session were included. Among other social functions of humor, data analysis revealed “reinforcement of displeasure”, “the lowering of the participants’ affective filter” and “the maintenance of harmony among the participants”. The outcomes indicated that the participants could engage themselves in meaning negotiation with language learners from other cultural horizons as they constructed humor.