It’s All a Lot of Fun: Comic Effect in Comparative-Evaluative Constructions of Hybrid Oral–Written Speech

The article examines the concept of the comic, which originated in Antiquity but re-mains relevant today. Researchers generally regard humor and satire as the principal forms of the comic, through which humorous discourse is produced. One of the techniques for creating a comic effect in the everyday Russian speech of native speakers is the use of comparative-evaluative constructions (CECs), which encode a positive or negative evaluation of the objects being compared. The study analyzes such fixed CECs as X – Y *is resting>, X – Y Vf>, X is (not) fit to shine Y’s boots>, where is X compared to Y>/where on earth is X compared to Y>, and X has never been Y>, cf.: to exhume a body. To prove to everyone whose son he is. And to obtain what is due from a deceased father. Hollywood (Y) wipes away its tears; Hollywood (Y) is rest-ing. Because when New Russian Sensations is being talked about and broadcasted, no Tarantino (X-1), alongside with Spielberg (X-2), is fit to shine their (Y) boots. “Bring on the Oscar!” (X – Y *отдыхает>, Х – Y Vf>, X в подметки (не) *годится Y-у>, куда Х-у до Y-а>/куда там/тут Х-у до Y-а>, Х ни разу не Y>, ср.: чтобы выкопать тело для эксгумации. Доказать всем, чей это сын. И получить причитающееся с погибшего отца. Голливуд (Y) утирает слезы, Голливуд (Y) отдыхает. Потому что когда говорят и показывают «Новые русские сенсации» – никакой Тарантино (Х-1) вместе со Спилбергом (Х-2) им (Y) в подметки не годятся. «Оскар» в студию!). In addition, common techniques for creating humorous discourse and enhancing the comic effect include the use of chains of comparison objects within a single construc-tion, as well as the use of chains of analogous constructions within the same context.