How to interpret sarcasm?

Question

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could help me please?

1) "We learnt so much more in that lesson. I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"
2) "We learnt so much less in that lesson. I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"

The first comment (1) is not sarcastic it makes logical sense, the pupils learnt a lot in a lesson, following this they say they definitely understand something they have learnt.

Am I correct in saying the second part of the second comment (2) "I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"
must be sarcastic as it is not really logical for a positive comment to follow the negative "we learnt so much less in that lesson".

Sarcastic:
2) "We learnt so much less in that lesson. I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"

If so how do you tell if the "I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!" (common to both sentences 1 and 2) is sarcastic or not sarcastic as it is written the same? Would a sarcastic comment (or words in a sarcastic comment) be pronounced differently from words in a non-sarcastic comment? For example with the way ‘definitely’ is pronounced and the tone of voice? Or would you have to roll your eyes during or after you have said the comment to inform the listener it is actually sarcastic?

Has anyone got any opinions please? I very much appreciate your time.

Thanks guys.

Rich

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

A very broad definition of sarcasm is saying something but meaning the opposite, with an intention to be unkind or hurtful.

eg You make a mistake, and I say "Oh, that was smart!'

I was wondering if you could help me please?

1) "We learnt so much more in that lesson. I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"

This may be sarcastic, with the meaning that the speaker did not learn much, or it may not. It's often hard to identify sarcasm. If the lesson was clearly terrible, the listener will easily recognize the remark as sarcasm. Sometime, the speaker of sarcasm also uses an exaggerated tone to show that it is sarcasm.

But, sometimes, sarcasm can be very subtle and hard to recognize.

2) "We learnt so much less in that lesson. I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"

The first comment (1) is not sarcastic it makes logical sense, the pupils learnt a lot in a lesson, following this they say they definitely understand something they have learnt.

Am I correct in saying the second part of the second comment (2) "I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"
must be sarcastic as it is not really logical for a positive comment to follow the negative "we learnt so much less in that lesson".

Ys. But this is a more simple example of sarcasm, because the speaker gives his true opinion in the first of these two sentences.

Sarcastic:
2) "We learnt so much less in that lesson. I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!"

If so how do you tell if the "I definitely know about the pie charts now - hehe!" (common to both sentences 1 and 2) is sarcastic or not sarcastic as it is written the same? Would a sarcastic comment (or words in a sarcastic comment) be pronounced differently from words in a non-sarcastic comment? For example with the way ‘definitely’ is pronounced and the tone of voice? Or would you have to roll your eyes during or after you have said the comment to inform the listener it is actually sarcastic? These ideas are all often true. But not always. Some people who enjoy being sarcastic do it for their own pleasure, and do not care if the listener understands their true meaning. In fact, they enjoy having people not notice that they are being sarcastic

Very, very generally speaking, and only in my personal experience, I've found that British people are good at sarcasm and enjoy it, but Americans are not and do not. Possibly, someone else might comment further on this cultural difference.

Best wishes, Clive

Richuk · Answer

Thank you Clive that is very interesting.

Rich

Dave Phillips · Answer

CliveVery, very generally speaking, and only in my personal experience, I've found that British people are good at sarcasm and enjoy it, but Americans are not and do not. Possibly, someone else might comment further on this cultural difference.

Don't know what you mean, we're never sarcastic.

I would defiantly agree with you Clive.

Richuk · Answer

Hehe!

I'm from England and I would agree people can be quite sarcastic at times but it generally depends on the person. Some people I know are always sarcastic, others are never so I guess its down to the individual

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