The crux of the joke here is that the framework of the language exchange is so evident that the possiblilty of another does not enter the minds of those following (the audience, Rumsfeld, and Cheney). The shift in linguistic framework is revealed with the punch line and everyone is left to understand that the transformation of Brazilian into Brazillion occurs because of their homophonic construction (even though one of them is fabricated). The diagram reflects this switch made, but also reveals what might be the sub-context of the joke. The central image of a real American soldier spliced with a toy soldier is meant to reaffirm the lack of fragility and importance with which these political figures make decisions concerning human lives.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
political humor
The crux of the joke here is that the framework of the language exchange is so evident that the possiblilty of another does not enter the minds of those following (the audience, Rumsfeld, and Cheney). The shift in linguistic framework is revealed with the punch line and everyone is left to understand that the transformation of Brazilian into Brazillion occurs because of their homophonic construction (even though one of them is fabricated). The diagram reflects this switch made, but also reveals what might be the sub-context of the joke. The central image of a real American soldier spliced with a toy soldier is meant to reaffirm the lack of fragility and importance with which these political figures make decisions concerning human lives.
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3 comments:
but what about the Bra part? in Bra-zillion? I feel that there is almost a triple antendre in the joke.
i think that is way out on the periphery if at all...
i don't really see that as being relevant. The Bra is residue and there is no sexual inuendo in the joke.
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