Critchley comments on the ways in which humor function as a vernacular, changing based on region, culture and language. Language barriers also functions a humor barriers, preventing an audience from connecting or engaging with a joke because, in a different language, the joke loses its context. A way in which Critchley’s argument appears in television is through the joke-teller being of a different race, in the sense that they are supernatural rather than of a differing ethnicity.
These jokes, usually met with quizzical looks and awkward silence, are a way of showing the ways in which language barriers can negatively impact comedy. Critchley writes that humor exists in a specific context, within what is familiar. When these characters of supernatural species make jokes in their native languages, it’s symbolic of Critchley’s argument that some humor only thrives within the community in which the joke was created because it is based upon a shared culture or experience.
Two examples that come to mind in television are from the characters Castiel from CW’s Supernatural and Starfire from Cartoon Network’s Teen Titans. Neither characters is from Earth – Castiel is an angel and Starfire is an alien – and as such, they continuously struggle with certain Earthly customs or differences from their home worlds, including not quite understanding Earth humor. This is particularly evident when either character attempts to joke in accordance with the humor standards of their home world, utilizing languages that their friends are unfamiliar with. As a result, their jokes only cause confusion.
“It’s funnier in Enochian”; 3:18-3:37.
“On my planet, this is hilarious”.
I really liked your overlook on Critchley’s idea of humour! I think what is interesting here is that the joke is not funny at all in English and that is also because of its translation: some jokes are enjoyable only if you know the context and the cultural references behind them.