Monica Mancera-Li
UT ID: Mjm4326
ANT 307 Keating
MW 2- 3:30pm
Anthropology 307 Assignment #1
A. Background Information
i. Chinese Mandarin
ii. Born in Hebei, China into traditional northern Chinese culture
iii. 53
B. Data
1. Jokes
i. *Joke #1* A young, eager teacher named Ms. Chen invited a zoologist to
come to her classroom to teach a group of elementary aged kids about the
importance of certain animals. Using a pig as an example, the zoologist
tells the students that although they are a common animal, they are an
important part of our everyday lives. He explains how their skin can be
used to make shoes, the various parts of their body can be made into food
to eat, and how their hair can be made to brushes. He then asks the kids,
“Is there anyone who knows anything else a pig can be used for?” A
young child barely lets him finish his sentence and exclaims, “I know! Ms.
Chen has used the name of it to yell at people!”
*Joke #2* Teacher: If you found out you had just one more day to live,
where would you most definitely go?
Student: Actually, I would spend my last day in school, and in this very
classroom.
Teacher: Oh! How touching! What a great example of a good student! So
eager!
Student: Because time in this class goes by so slowly, one day feels like a
year!
ii. Reason for humor
1. Informant found it hilarious that a kid no older than the elementary
grade level knew that calling someone a pig can be an insult and
told a visitor that in front of everyone. The informant said she
almost felt embarrassed that the young student had exposed the
young teacher of basically using bad words in front of her young
audience enough for them to know that it can be used in an
argument, and in front of a complete stranger. The informant felt
shame for the teacher.
2. Informant explains that although this joke can appeal to any
student in almost any culture, it is especially funny to her because
in her time, or at least when she went to school, it is unheard of for
kids to be sarcastic and disrespectful to the teacher in this way. If
she would have heard this tale as a student back in the day, she
would not find humor in it and almost be scared of the
consequences that this particular student was facing. It is only
funny to her now because she is accustomed to sarcasm and dry
humor in modern times.
iii. Example of who can tell the joke and who can’t Monica Mancera-Li
UT ID: Mjm4326
ANT 307 Keating
MW 2- 3:30pm
1. Joke #1 cannot be told from child to child, or repeated for a young
child to hear, for it might influence them to blurt out such
inappropriate language. Perhaps it may be told between 2 teachers
or adults conversing on what to make sure their kids don’t do.
2. Joke #2 can be told by almost everyone to anyone, the message it
carries is not inappropriate to the point where young children must
be careful when repeating.
2. Metaphorical Expressions
i. “… like a fox worshipping a chicken”
ii. “Looking down at one with dog eyes”
3. “Culture Shock” Narrative
i. When the informant moved to the United States to help her daughter run
her restaurant business while she was recovering from giving birth to her
granddaughter, she was so shocked after a middle aged grown man came
in to eat with his elderly parents. They ordered, ate and interacted so
dearly towards each other throughout the meal. When the informant went
to bring their bill, she brought it on one check, and was so taken back
when the son told her to split the check, because he was solely paying for
his part. She could not believe that the son was not paying for his parent’s
meal, especially because he was a grown man and his parents were
obviously elderly. The informant learned that his was not a rare instance
and still does not understand how children, obviously those that are able to
support themselves and are adults, can make their parents pay for
themselves or even for them after the parents having raised them their
whole lives.
4. Gesture
i. When eating at a restaurant, or attending a reception, or anywhere where
you are being served drinks, one almost always shows their thankfulness
by using your pointing finger of either hand and gently tapping it on the
table with the other fingers extended. This happens most when seated and
being served or having your tea refilled. Because many, many people
drink tea in China, this is where this gesture is used most often, because
tea cups are often needed to be refilled by servers or by other guests.
C. Data Analysis
i. For the jokes:
1. *Joke #1* In order to understand this joke, one must know that in
this traditional Chinese culture, to call someone a “pig” is more
than just a word to tease someone about being messy or eating like
one. It is actually much worse; an offending word used to call
people who have committed evil, perverted crimes, and used to
defame people of all classes. To understand why the informant
might even feel embarrassed after hearing the joke one must know
that it is the most embarrassing thing to have a teacher use this
type of language, and have it be exposed in such a public manner- Monica Mancera-Li
UT ID: Mjm4326
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