Humour and Politics: Linguistic Features of Humour Construction

The main object of this study is to show the potential of a discursive-enunciative category, the point of view (POV), in analysing nonsense humour. From among the existing theories, we have opted for Charaudeau’s proposal of a communicative theory of humour because it provides a comprehensive analysis of verbal humour at all linguistic levels. The analysis data consist of journalistic humorous columns by Ricardo Araújo Pereira, published in Visão, a Portuguese weekly magazine. Given the widespread acceptance of Ricardo Araújo Pereira’s humour in Portuguese society, it can be considered the paradigm of a modern form of humour in Portugal, which has been clearly influenced by the English comedy troupe, Monty Python.