Introduction

The two aims of this volume are to provide an accessible introduction to the phenomena of verbal irony and sarcasm and to offer methodological considerations that address the heterogeneity of the field. By bringing together theoretical and methodological perspectives, this chapter highlights the complexity of studying verbal irony, from its definition and understanding to its use across populations and cultures. It acknowledges the contributions of numerous studies that have used a variety of research methods, from self-report questionnaires to sophisticated neuropsychological techniques, to understand how factors such as age, gender, cultural norms, and second language proficiency influence irony comprehension and use. This introductory chapter provides an overview of the book’s subsequent chapters, outlining the diverse topics and methodological approaches covered. It also highlights the challenges of cross-cultural research and the need for methodological innovation to capture the nuances of irony and sarcasm accurately.