Keep Calm and Study Memes
Item
Title
Keep Calm and Study Memes
Creator
Ashley Dainas
Abstract
This thesis expands and applies Shifman’s (2013) communication oriented typology for memes and uses conceptual blending theory to show that the “Keep Calm and Carry On” internet meme is altered in predictable patterns. Based on this analysis, we conducted a survey study seeking to answer: 1. How do the dimensions of the taxonomy work together in order to create humor and understanding? 2. What is the minimal number of changes that can be made to a parody while still allowing it to make sense? 3. Does how well a person “gets” an internet meme predict humor ratings? The results indicate that people’s ratings of funniness are highly dependent on whether or not the person feels they have understood or “gotten” the meme. Beyond this, the results varied widely between the memes studied and tended to fall into six distinct categories based on whether or not participants “got” the meme.
Type
Master of Arts, Cognitive Linguistics
Date
May 2015
number of pages
66
Language
EN English