LINGUISTIC STRATEGIES IN AMERICAN COMEDY VIDEOS BY TAYLOR TOMLINSON ON YOUTUBE: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF LINGUISTIC COMEDY TECHNIQUES

Abstract

This study investigates the evolving role of comedy in American culture, particularly through the lens of digital platforms like YouTube, where comedians such as Taylor Tomlinson have emerged as influential voices. Comedy not only serves as entertainment but also acts as a form of social commentary, providing a brief respite from authority and societal pressures. The research focuses on the linguistic strategies employed by Tomlinson in her videos, such as wordplay, irony, sarcasm, exaggeration, incongruity, satire, and also metaphor. With qualitative content analysis, the study reveals how these linguistic strategies shape her comedic narratives and enhance audience engagement. The findings contribute to our understanding of the interplay between language and culture in online comedy, offering valuable insights for content creators, educators, and researchers. As the digital media landscape evolves, grasping the linguistic nuances that foster humor remains essential for effective audience connection.