The textual and extra-textual dimensions of stand-up comedy

Stand-up comedy operates at the intersection of linguistic performance and socio-cultural engagement, where textual content (jokes, narratives) and extra-textual elements (delivery, audience interaction, gestures) merge to create the meaning. This study examines how comedians employ verbal and non-verbal strategies to construct humor, emphasizing the dynamic interaction between scripted material and spontaneous improvisation. By analyzing performances of outstanding comedians, the article highlights how stand-up comedy functions as a discursive practice, reinforcing or subverting social norms. This analysis may contribute to broader discussions on performance studies by framing stand-up as a unique site of live textual negotiation. The study concludes that humor emerges from the complex interplay of linguistic, performative, and situational dimensions.