THE HUMOROUS POTENTIAL OF METAPHORICAL POLYSEMY

Аннотация

This article examines how metaphorical polysemy—where a single metaphorical expression carries multiple interpretations—can serve as a catalyst for humor in multilingual and cross-cultural settings. Drawing upon theories of incongruity, benign violation, and language interference, the study illustrates how speakers and listeners negotiate overlapping meanings. Through qualitative analyses of everyday conversations, media texts, and focus group discussions, the paper demonstrates how the literal and figurative dimensions of polysemous expressions elicit laughter, confusion, or both. The multilingual context intensifies these effects, as differences in linguistic codes and cultural norms can lead to creative yet unintentional juxtapositions. The findings underscore the importance of embracing these moments of linguistic play in educational environments, translations, and broader communicative practice. The article ultimately highlights the pedagogical value in recognizing metaphorical polysemy not only as a linguistic phenomenon but also as a potent source of engagement and cultural insight. Keywords: metaphorical polysemy, humor studies, incongruity theory, multilingual communication, language interference, cultural context, classroom pedagogy