Listen to the audience laughter in this clip from an American late night TV talk show.
What is so funny? You might understand all the words, but to understand the meaning of the
conversation, you need to understand all the cultural background as well.
What is so funny? You might understand all the words, but to understand the meaning of the
conversation, you need to understand all the cultural background as well.
Transcript:
Jimmy Kimmel: What are we gonna go, Garner-Kimmel or Kimmel-Garner?
Jennifer Garner: I thought we'd both hyphenate, sweetie.
Jimmy Kimmel: I'll drop the Kimmel altogether -- I could be James Garner.
Jimmy Kimmel: What are we gonna go, Garner-Kimmel or Kimmel-Garner?
Jennifer Garner: I thought we'd both hyphenate, sweetie.
Jimmy Kimmel: I'll drop the Kimmel altogether -- I could be James Garner.
Linked to Encountering Culture... by Ned Danison
Return to Introduction, part one
Return to Introduction, part one
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Background:
Who is talking to whom?
The main social difference between the speakers is gender, and they engage in playful
sex-related banter. Also, the woman's social status is somewhat higher than the man's, and
their joking implies this. Jennifer Garner is an American TV and movie actress, probably at
the peak of her fame at the time of this interview. Jimmy Kimmel is a comedian and late
night TV talk show host with an "ordinary guy" appeal; thus the very suggestion that these
two could marry is a joke. Kimmel, representing ordinary American guys, is essentially
playing a fool to flatter Garner, the beautiful, unattainable prize. Garner plays along with the
joke, calling him "sweetie."
History
- The custom in English-speaking cultures has long been for a married woman to take her
husband's surname. In recent history, the practice of women keeping their surname, or
hyphenating surnames has gained popularity.
- James Garner is a well-known American TV and movie actor.
World view
The speakers' world view emphasizes questions of equality versus hierarchy and progress
versus tradition: It is assumed that, if they are married, they will not follow the traditional
practice of using the man's surname; as a symbol of equality, they will hyphenate their
surnames. They joke about who then should use the hyphenated name and which name
should come first, or completely reversing the tradition, having the man take the woman's
surname. Moreover, because they are both celebrities, the question follows, should their
naming reflect which one is more popular?
Who is talking to whom?
The main social difference between the speakers is gender, and they engage in playful
sex-related banter. Also, the woman's social status is somewhat higher than the man's, and
their joking implies this. Jennifer Garner is an American TV and movie actress, probably at
the peak of her fame at the time of this interview. Jimmy Kimmel is a comedian and late
night TV talk show host with an "ordinary guy" appeal; thus the very suggestion that these
two could marry is a joke. Kimmel, representing ordinary American guys, is essentially
playing a fool to flatter Garner, the beautiful, unattainable prize. Garner plays along with the
joke, calling him "sweetie."
History
- The custom in English-speaking cultures has long been for a married woman to take her
husband's surname. In recent history, the practice of women keeping their surname, or
hyphenating surnames has gained popularity.
- James Garner is a well-known American TV and movie actor.
World view
The speakers' world view emphasizes questions of equality versus hierarchy and progress
versus tradition: It is assumed that, if they are married, they will not follow the traditional
practice of using the man's surname; as a symbol of equality, they will hyphenate their
surnames. They joke about who then should use the hyphenated name and which name
should come first, or completely reversing the tradition, having the man take the woman's
surname. Moreover, because they are both celebrities, the question follows, should their
naming reflect which one is more popular?