Abstract
This contribution is an attempt to integrate the notion of conceptual blending (Fauconnier and Turner 1998; Fauconnier and Turner 2002; and Fauconnier and Turner 2003) and Linda Hutcheon’s (1985) view of parody as a form of repetition maintaining a critical distance, through the analysis of a multimodal Internet meme. The case study chosen is a parodic music video of the Knack’s classic hit My Sharona, showing the absurdity in everyday life during the times of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study is thus based on two conceptual paradigms: Blending Theory and Pragmatic Studies of Parody.
About the author
Dr. Galia Hirsch is a senior lecturer at the Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies, Bar-Ilan University. Her research interests lie in the intersection between Pragmatics and Translation Studies, specifically in the study of irony and humor as different indirect discourse patterns. She conducts comparative pragmatic analysis of literary and multimodal texts in Hebrew, Spanish, and English, studying the implications for translation, with a focus on explicitation strategies; while uniquely applying Conceptual Blending into Humor Research and Translation Studies. Her study of humor and irony extends to the new media, including: Internet memes; pseudo-translations; parody; and graphic laughter markers.
Appendices Appendix A
My Sharona/The Knack
Ooh, my little pretty one, my pretty one
When you gonna give me some time, Sharona
Ooh, you make my motor run, my motor run
Got it coming off o' the line, Sharona
Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind
I always get it up, for the touch of the younger kind
My, my, my, aye-aye, whoa!
M-m-m-my Sharona
Come a little closer, huh, a-will ya, huh?
Close enough to look in my eyes, Sharona
Keeping it a mystery, it gets to me
Running down the length of my thigh, Sharona
Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind
I always get it up, for the touch of the younger kind
My, my, my, aye-aye, whoa!
M-m-m-my Sharona
M-m-m-my Sharona
When you gonna give to me, a gift to me
Is it just a matter of time, Sharona?
Is it d-d-destiny, d-destiny
Or is it just a game in my mind, Sharona?
Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind
I always get it up, for the touch of the younger kind
My, my, my, aye-aye, whoa!
M-m-m-m-m-m-m-my, my, my, aye-aye, whoa!
M-m-m-my Sharona
M-m-m-my Sharona
M-m-m-my Sharona
M-m-m-my Sharona
Ooooooo-ohhh, my Sharona
Ooooooo-ohhh, my Sharona
Ooooooo-ohhh, my Sharona
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Burton Averre / Doug Fieger
My Sharona lyrics © Reach Music Publishing
My Corona/Chris Mann
I need toilet paper, toilet paper, toilet paper
I’m out of toilet paper, it’s My Corona
I need toilet paper, toilet paper, toilet paper
I’m out of toilet paper, it’s My Corona
Got to make a grocery run, well that sounds fun!
Why’m I out here risking my life, Corona!
Where’s a god-dammed parking space?
Shit, I touched my face!
Wait, I think I finally caught My Corona!
Stop it, don’t be manic, go inside, NO ORGANIC!?!
Oh no, all GMO, Jesus Christ, now I panic!
I’ll die-ie-ie-ie-ie WHOA!
M-m-m-my Corona
I’m out of toilet paper, it’s My Corona
Don’t come any closer, huh, I’ll mess you up!
I’m just coming in for some wipes, Corona
Kroger’s full of empty shelves, oh what the hell
Guess I’m stocking up on boxed wine Corona
Nothing makes sense, no more friends, no more basketball
Kids are home from school, it’s raining too, and I’m losing my
Mi-ie-ie-ie-ind WHOA!
M-m-my Corona!
M-m-my Corona! (with impressive vocal flourishhh)
I need toilet paper, toilet paper, toilet paper
Purell
and toilet paper
Clorox, yeah! (oh damn, that’s high!)
When you gonna get to me, g-g-g-get to me?!
Is it just a matter of time, Corona?!
Will I kill my family in quarantine??? (yep!)
Or is just a game in my mind, Corona?
Then there’s Donald Trump
WHAT THE FUCK???
Why you shakin’ hands and keep telling us nothing’s up
That we’re gonna be fi-ie-ie-ie-ne?
WHAT????!
M-m-m-my Corona!
Mi-ie-ie-ie-ie WHOA!
I need toilet paper, M-m-m-My Corona
I’m out of toilet paper, So sick of My Corona
I’m out of toilet paper, So sick of My Corona
I need toilet paper, toilet paper, toilet paper
I’m out of toilet paper, it’s My Corona!
BE SAFE OUT THERE, KIDS!
PLEASE SEND TOILET PAPER
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