What a Surprise: Sarcasm Is 'Evidence of Maturity'
"Oh, what a surprise!"
What do you think this sentence means? Probably one of two things — either that someone is actually surprised, or they're being sarcastic.
This might be one of the most common examples of sarcasm — using words that mean the opposite of what you really intend to say.
"My daughter has left her socks on the floor again — what a surprise!"
"The train is late again — what a surprise!"
Sarcasm can be a useful tool: it might help you control your emotions when you'd like to throw those socks out the window, or it could offer some humor as you wait for that train.
And in some situations, sarcasm can be easier than literal honesty.
However, being on the receiving end of this type of sarcasm can be annoying. This is something parents of teenagers may know all about.
But in an article for the BBC, science writer David Robson suggests that frustration might not be the best response to such sarcasm. That's because sarcasm is a linguistic skill that we learn — it's "evidence of maturity," Robson says.
"Sarcasm is complex," he explains: it requires the child to understand both the literal meaning of their words and what they actually want the other person to understand. This two-step mental process is more challenging than making a literal statement.
Studies have found that children only begin to understand basic sarcasm around age 5 or 6 — and it isn't until age 8 or 9 that they understand sarcasm as humor.
Penny Pexman of the University of Calgary thinks sarcasm is something we can — and should — teach. She even wrote a short story designed to help children between ages 4 and 7 learn to detect it.
So when your teenager rolls their eyes and tells you, "Oh, I do so love hearing your opinions about my music" — when they really mean the opposite — it's evidence that their brain has developed and that they're maturing!
1. What are your thoughts on the idea that sarcasm is a sign of maturity?
2. How often do you use sarcasm? Why?
3. Who's the most sarcastic person you know?
4. Does it ever bother you when people are being sarcastic?
5. Who would you say is the funniest person you know?
6. Who are your favorite comedians? Why do you like them so much?
7. Have you ever been to a live comedy show?
8. Do you watch a lot of comedy TV shows? Which ones would you recommend?
9. Are there certain topics that you think people should never joke about?