개념적 혼성과 컴퓨터 유머의 의미구성

This paper examines how the conceptual blending theory deals with meaning construction of computer humors. The conceptual blending theory, developed by Fauconnier & Turner (1994, 1998, 2002) and Fauconnier (1997), posits the four-space network consisting of two input spaces, the generic space, and the blended space. For humors to be effective, there should be some conflict or incongruity between the two events consisting of the humorous situation. One of the two events structures the input space1, and the other the input space2. I choose computer humors for the elaboration of my argument. The humor "It's the latest innovation in office safety. When your computer crashes, an air bag is activated so you won't bang your head in frustration" is a typical example of computer humors. Two events are involved in this humor. One is the fact that computers sometimes stop working because of some technical problems of computers. The other is the fact that the air bag is activated because of the car collision. These two events structure two input spaces. And then partial mapping between two input spaces and the selective projection from the input spaces to the blended space operate. The blended space motivates the meaning construction of this humor.