Abstract:
This study aimed to analyze humor and language in Isan comedy by using content
analysis. 12 VCDs sold in the year 2002, 6 VCDs by the Sieng-Isan music band and 6 VCDs
by the Phetphinthong music band were studied.
There were 3 patterns of content structure that both bands used—improvisation,
single theme content, and mixed content. Moreover, the content could be divided into 25
domains such as sex, money, song modification, and so on. The contents reflected 4 sides
which were: 1) habit, behavior, mood and truth of life; 2) culture; 3) comedians’ status and 4)
media mocking. The content coincided with 3 groups of humorous logic—playing jokes with
people’s daily life, playing jokes with people’s mood, and playing jokes with life mechanism.
When comparing the contents of the two bands, they were both similar and
different. The similarities were to do with the two bands alteration of song lyrics occurred at
the same phase (third phase) and the sex and money content occurred at nearly the same level.
This reflected that no matter what era the bands were famous in, the sex and money content
were still in people’s way of life and were just facts people had to face unavoidably. In the
content reflection aspect, both bands aimed to reflect culture of Isan and Thailand in their 6
VCDs. This could greatly foster the next generation’s acknowledgement of their cultures. The
differences were that Sieng-Isan mostly presented easily understood content that was suited
for its audiences’ backgrounds. Though Phetphinthong also presented content that was suited
for its audience, some content such as ordination/monk/temple and consumer culture content
seemed to be difficult for some audiences to understand, such as children and people who
were not Isan or did not have the same background of experiences.
In the aspect of language mechanisms, there were 9 categories such as using
foreign languages, puns, vulgar language, figures of speech, and so on. When comparing the
two bands, the similarities were that they used foreign language (English transliteration) and
vulgar language in all VCDs. The difference was that Phetphinthong mostly used foreign
language in the form of word groups and sentences more than Sieng-Isan. The use of long
sentences of foreign language without some audiences understanding what was being said
might signify that the comedians would like to show their wisdom and a modern image of
their bands.
For further study, the researcher recommends that other researchers also study
qualitative content reflecting contemporary society and determine the frequency of that
content. Also, other local languages of comedy shows, such as Northern and Southern, should
be studied so that the readers will know what the content and language use are. Moreover,
other researchers should compare content and language use between humorists performing in
cafés and in music bands to study their similarities and differences.