Abstract
The work is aimed at identifying and analyzing the main humorous characteristics of the axiological concept of cynicism. The relevance of the study is predetermined by the fact that cynicism is considered to be an important value of humorous discourse. This work develops an axiological approach for studying humor which consists of defining the reaction of the audience to cynicism (humorous or non-humorous, positive or negative), distinguishing value features of the axiological concept of cynicism (based on literature on cynicism, definitions in dictionaries, and analysis of data.), analyzing the language means used to express the axiological concept of cynicism, determining the conceptual opposition of the axiological concept of cynicism in a particular context, determining the archetype of the corresponding character to assess the level of possible empathy of the audience for a humorous object. The data analyzed in this article comprise recordings and scripts of more than 70 stand-up specials which are more than 4500 minutes long and more than 500 episodes of various sitcoms which are more than 12,500 minutes long. The research showed that in many cases manifestation of cynicism was accompanied by laughter and moderate applauding while in most cases cynicism caused only laughter. Cynicism is aimed at ridiculing such anti-values as insincerity, shame, stupidity, lust. The main cognitive features of the axiological concept of cynicism within the framework of humorous discourse include honesty and rudeness. In its extreme form (dark humor), cynicism can be considered as a significant lack of humanity. The research also found that the axiological concept of cynicism within the framework of humorous discourse is actualized through insulting people, describing taboo processes and violating the norms and principles of social interaction. Insulting is carried out through a humiliating assessment of actions or states of a person, a true designation of a person and a response to socially disapproved behavior. The main taboo topics are masturbation, deurination, flatulence, death, and declaring sexual intention. The main cases of violating norms and principles of social interaction include deviation from standard patterns of behavior and ridiculing cliched statements. The axiological concept of cynicism is usually expressed through obscene words, insulting words, verbs denoting corresponding processes, new metaphors, similes, irony, etc. Moreover, in modern English sitcoms some of main characters behave cynically.