According to pragmatics linguists, you tend to be around five or six years old when you start to understand that saying things opposite to the self-evident truth can be funny. Hearing people or people who use their voices automatically associate this with drawls, deadpan monotones or emphasized intonation. The same thing happens in sign language. Irony isn’t just auditory, after all—it’s also in facial expressions and body language. The face easily shows excessive excitement or flat affect, and equally common This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Six Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 30 Inside Out A joke shared is a joke halved. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables. Arts & Culture Design Issue 51 How to Make a Chair And do it on a tiny budget. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Odd Jobs The comedian with strong opinions about your home décor. Arts & Culture Issue 51 Tall Order The hidden depths of height.
Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.
