On the concept of laughter. Similarities and differences between the Polish synonyms kpić ('to mock', 'to be ironic about sb/sth', 'to jibe'), drwić ('to mock', 'to deride'), szydzić ('to deride', 'to ridicule', 'to mock', 'to insult')

Abstract

This article attempts to identify semantic similarities and differences between the three Polish synonymous verbs kpić (‘to mock’, ‘to be ironic about sb/sth’, ‘to jibe’), drwić (‘to mock’, ‘to deride’) szydzić (‘to deride’, ‘to ridicule’, ‘to mock’, ‘to insult’), as well as pragmatic similarities and differences between the behaviors they denote in contemporary Polish – kpina (‘mockery’, ‘being ironic about sb/sth’, ‘jibe’), drwina (‘mockery’, ‘derision’, ‘despect’), and szyderstwo (‘mockery’, ‘derision’, ‘despect’, ‘insult’). The analysis is based on research focused mainly in four areas: a) the lexicographical dimension of the lexemes kpić, drwić, szydzić; b) the basic predicate-argument structures constituted by these verbs; c) the pragmatic dimension of kpina, drwina, szyderstwo; and d) the stylistic connotation of the words kpić, drwić, szydzić. The scope of research thus defined allows to note that the differences between the verbs in this synonymous series primarily concern the strength and scale of disapproval and insult, expressed mockingly. The analysis shown in the article involves the assumptions and research methods of so-called semantic syntax (predicate-argument structures) developed by Karolak (1984, 2002) and the basic concepts and classifications functioning in the theory of speech acts as presented by Austin (1993) and Searle (1976, 1987).