schermeanalyse

Schermeanalyse is a term occasionally used in German-language writing to denote the analysis of humor, jokes, or playful language. The word combines Scherz (joke, jest) with Analyse (analysis), but its exact meaning is not standardized and varies by discipline and author. It is not a formal, widely codified field, but rather a descriptive label applied to studies that examine how humor operates within texts, conversations, or media.

In humor studies, Schermeanalyse may explore how joke structures, timing, incongruity, and audience expectations contribute to humorous effect. In linguistics and pragmatics, it can involve analyzing forms of wordplay, puns, irony, and other rhetorical devices, as well as how context shapes interpretation. In media and cultural studies, the term might be used to assess humor in memes, broadcasts, or digital content, including issues of reception, representation, and social impact.

Common methods associated with Schermeanalyse include qualitative content analysis, discourse analysis, and rhetorical analysis. In computational settings, researchers may apply natural language processing to identify humor markers, classify joke types, or model humorous appreciation. Data sources range from published joke collections and theater or stand-up transcripts to social-media posts and online videos.

Challenges include the highly subjective and context-dependent nature of humor, cultural variation, and the lack of standardized methodologies, which can affect comparability and replication across studies. See also humor theory, computational humor, pragmatics, and discourse analysis.