Leticia Neria PhD thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText ...

are in better position than us, at least we have the satisfaction of feeling superior for a
moment and signalling their differences and defects, or what we consider as a difference
or defect!
An example of this last statement is the representation of foreigners’ speech. In
an episode of Hermelinda Linda, two Canadians are doing business in Mexico. We
recognise that they are foreigners because of the portrayal of the way they speak: ‘Y
para que “osté” no pensar que ser trampa, nosotros firmar contrato certificado de
recompra, enseñar a cuidar y vender alimentos’. 130 We also recognise the Spaniards in
Los Agachados because of the written representation of their accent and the kinds of
words they use, which are uncommon among Mexican speakers. For example, Don
Falangino, the Spanish shopkeeper says to the Licenciado Trastupijes: ‘Pero sí que es
ust’e necio, rediez y reveinte! ¿Cuál revolución dice uste’?’ 131 The way they look is also
an exaggeration and a means of ridicule which make us feel better: they are dirty and
smelly, it is impossible to see their eyes because of their bushy eyebrows, they wear a
waistcoat and they normally work as shopkeepers. 132
In the last example we can also highlight the name of the character, which refers
to the Spanish political party Falange Española de la JONS. The character, in fact, is a
Franco supporter and has right wing points of view, so his name gives us more
information, as well as generating hilarity. By knowing this we understand that
Spaniards who are portrayed are those ones with a similar background and not all
joking’, but comedian Steve Coogan responded to Clarkson by saying that comedy was not about
reinforcing prejudices but challenging them. Steve Coogan, ‘I’m a huge fan of Top Gear but this time I’ve
had enough’, The Guardian, 5 February 2011
[accessed 8 February 2011]. In social humour we elevate ourselves to the
position of superiority in order to offend and also to point to a flaw. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore that
Clarkson’s comment could be considered humorous as well because, as Freud says, an insult makes the
joke possible.
130 Hermelinda Linda, 367, p.5.
131 Los Agachados, 282, p.2.
132 Check Los Agachados, 51 or 282.
121