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Developing ideas
Mark Twain (1835—1910) was an American writer, humorist, lecturer and adventurer, who acquired international fame for his travel narratives, in particular The Innocents Abroad, and for his adventure stories of boyhood, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He is regarded as one of North America`s best and most beloved writers due to his wit and satire.
---by Mark Twain
Lin Yutang (1895—1976) was a Chinese writer, translator, linguist, philosopher and inventor. His informal but sophisticated style of writing, in both Chinese and English, made him one of the most influential writers of his generation. His most famous works include My Country and My People and The Importance of Living. He`s also known as a wise, and witty populariser of Chinese philosophy and the Chinese way of life.
My Country
and My People
The
Importance
of
Living
Moment in Peking
-----by LinYutang
Find out Mark Twain and Lin's attitude towards humour.
Mark Twain and Lin’s attitude towards humour is positive / favorable. And they practised what they preached.
作为文学家和幽默大师，林语堂和马克·吐温都是成功者，他们曾经给世界带来那么多的欢声笑语，但在搞科学发明的道路上，他们都是失败者。
As the most famous humorists and litterateurs , Lin Yutang and Mark Twain were successful, who ever brought laughter to the world. However, on the way of scientific invention, they were failures.
　中文打字机生不逢时
　　“演讲要像女人的裙子一样，越短越好。”林语堂最喜欢说俏皮话，为他赢得了“幽默大师”的名声。
　　林语堂多才多艺，鬼点子也多，除了写书他还“不务正业”，设计出过“符合人体曲线”的椅子等产品。在30年代，林语堂竟然发明过简易操作型中文打字机，这台机器至今还保存在他在阳明山的故居中。林语堂当年投入了毕生积蓄，在1948年，一台“不学而能操作”的中文打字机终于被他发明出来，然而，由于当时的社会动荡，打字机不能大量生产，而且害他差点破产。
　其实，林语堂设计的机器很先进，他创造了上下形检字法，也算是今天中文计算机输入法的“前辈”之一吧。后来，中国台湾地区的神通中文计算机还曾经加以应用。当年，这种计算机推出时，厂商打出“两个钟头学不会，请吃一碗牛肉面”的广告语，可见它有多么实用，也更让人为林先生惋惜。
　　　排版机让大师倾家荡产
　无独有偶，另一位幽默大师—美国著名文学家马克·吐温也跟林语堂一样，从事过发明创造，也同样惨遭失败。
　　马克·吐温，以文风犀利幽默著称，他有一个幸福的家庭，三个可爱的女儿。他的家里总洋溢着快乐的笑声，但是,一件倒霉的发明却几乎毁灭了他的一切。
　　涅狄格州哈特福德的马克·吐温故居的地下室里，扔着一台老机器，这是他当年曾经投资20万美元(相当于今天的150万)发明的自动排版机，其中有半数资金是借来的。但最后，这桩生意宣告失败，马克·吐温倾家荡产，为还债不得不远走欧洲巡回演讲。他花了四年的时间还清债务，但这期间，他最钟爱的妻子和两个女儿相继生病去世。
　　林语堂与马克·吐温的发明，都可以说是生不逢时。现在，这两台老机器，还静静地躺在他们的故居，任后人凭吊叹息。换个角度想想，如果他们成功了，这世界上可能会多了两个企业家，却少了两位大文豪。这对他们幸运还是不幸,其中的滋味，只有当事人才能明白。
瓶画中的笑声
Greece
medieval humor
Humor is an essential part of 1_____________________. Authors have used it to 2____________________, and throw new light on 3___________________________.
entertain
human behaviour
sensitive or emotive issues
Greece humor
The Introduction of Humor
Mark Twain
Remembered for : ability to 4____________________with more 5________________.
Writing style: 6_________________________
Example: 7_______________________________
Also known for his witty remarks .
Example:8_______________________________________________________
combine humour
serious messages
funny and often mischievous
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
“ That`s just my luck. I always have to stand when that fellow lectures!”
Lin Yutang
Famous for his unique brand of humor
Evidence:
9________________________________________________________________
Quick wit helped make him famous as 10_______________________.
Example 11_________________________________________________________________________________________________
He borrowed “youmo” from Ancient Chinese as the translation for the English word “humour”.
a master of humour
He told a story about a cruel Roman emperor who tried to feed a man to wild animals during the dinner at a university.
Humor is a 12_________________and a tool that can be used to 13_____________________.
Lin created an equation :
___________+___________+____________=____________
Humor is almost as great as our need for________________.
In the words of Mark Twain:
“_________________________________________”.
way of life
illuminate the world
conclusion
Reality
Dreams
Humor
wisdom
water and air
Humor is mankind`s greatest blessing
1 Why is Lin Yutang’s joke about the man and wild animals funny?
Because with the little joke, Lin was able to make people laugh, while gently telling off the president.
2 Do you agree with Mark Twain’s remark on humor at the end of the passage? Give your reasons.
I agree with his remark for the following reasons. Firstly, humour can entertain and throw new light on sensitive or emotive issues. Secondly, humour isn’t about laughter, but is a way of life and a tool that can be used to illuminate the world. Thirdly, living and working with others can sometimes be complicated, and humour makes this easier. Fourthly, sharing jokes and laughing together can bring individuals and even communities together. / I don’t agree with his remark. Humour is very important in our life, but there are still many other things vital, like wisdom, bravery.
Writing about
a comedian
Read the blog post and match the headings to the paragraphs.
2
4
3
1
Charlie Chaplin
Find the information:
? an example of the actor’s works
Modern Times.
? a reason why the actor is one of the best
Because he knows how to use his body and
facial features to make people laugh.
? a funny scene
He is working on a production line in a factory. When a bee starts circling around his face, he falls behind with his work. The way that he tries to keep up is very funny.
? a famous character played by the actor
The Tramp.
? the author’s comments on the actor
Charlie Chaplin was one of the best comedy actors of his time.
Choose a comedian who makes you laugh.
Write an introduction to this comedian.
Mr. Bean is “a little clumsy, a little na?ve, a little shy, but also a little short guy. His sense of comedy coming from you and I is likely to occur in daily life.”
British comedy dean Rowan Atkinson plays Mr Bean. He is also one of the show producers and
screenwriters. Although Mr Bean`s IQ is only known as “007”, Atkinson himself has a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Oxford. We should never underestimate this “Pea”. He claims to have 18.5 million UK viewers, but in other countries ,he is well known too. His humor is full of surprise and delight, which breaks through language barriers. He is expected to become the master of humor after Chaplin.
Work in pairs. Make improvements to each other’s introductions. Share them with the class and post your writing on your social media.
Thank you!

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