IRONY AND SARCASM IN NIGEL NG’S STAND-UP COMEDY: ANALYZING THEIR ROLE IN CREATING HUMOR

Abstract

The use of irony and sarcasm in stand-up comedy is a topic that requires further
investigation to fully comprehend their role in creating humor. This study focuses on the
work of Nigel Ng, a comedian renowned for his cultural commentary and social criticism,
and applies the theoretical framework of pragmatics to analyze how Ng utilizes irony and
sarcasm to generate humor and how it relates to more extensive social and cultural issues.
Specifically, we explore the relationship between irony and sarcasm, how the audience
perceives humor, and the cultural context in which Ng's comedy operates. Our analysis
demonstrates that irony and sarcasm can challenge societal standards and expectations
while creating humor that resonates with audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds. The
findings of this research have implications for comprehending the role of irony and sarcasm
in stand-up comedy, as well as for future research endeavors in this domain. In summary,
this article provides a novel perspective on the use of irony and sarcasm in stand-up comedy
while contributing to ongoing discussions regarding the interconnectedness of humor,
language, and culture.