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Pun Work Helps English Learners Get the Joke
Author(s) -
Lems Kristin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the reading teacher
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.642
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1936-2714
pISSN - 0034-0561
DOI - 10.1002/trtr.01027
Subject(s) - pun , joke , psychology , linguistics , english language , mathematics education , philosophy
Abstract Native speakers of a language learn word play as part of the language acquisition process, but learners of a new language rarely get that opportunity. English has an unusually large number of opportunities for humorous puns, based on the complex system of spellings, pronunciations, and meanings of English words. There are three main categories of English puns, and these are explained and illustrated, along with lesson plans for using puns in classroom with English language learners. Suggested resources are included.