Le discours humoristique et l’improvisation dans le stand up ; analyse thématique, sociolinguistique et pragmatique du spectacle « on m’appelle Marseille » de Redouane Bougheraba

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the humorous discourse of the Franco-Algerian comedian Redouane Bougheraba from a sociolinguistic perspective, focusing on his show On m’appelle Marseille and his improvisations. Bougheraba’s humor is examined as a complex discursive practice, blending code-switching (French, dialectal Arabic, English), self-deprecation, and audience interaction to negotiate cultural identities in a multicultural society. The first chapter explores linguistic techniques such as code-switching, wordplay, and irony, which reflect his bicultural identity and subvert social norms to create universal humor. The second chapter analyzes improvisation and crowd work, where Bougheraba transforms audience reactions into comedic material through pragmatic management of speech acts and violations of Grice’s maxims. By leveraging shared cultural references and ritualized stereotypes, his humor serves as a tool for cultural mediation, fostering dialogue and social cohesion. The study concludes that Bougheraba’s humor, rooted in comedic modernity, mirrors social dynamics and acts as a catalyst for unity in a pluralistic France.