The funny side of cross-cultural adaptation: a grounded theory study of the role of humour in the adaptation process of Spanish migrants living in Ireland
Ramirez de Arellano, Maria
(2014)
The funny side of cross-cultural adaptation: a grounded theory study of the role of humour in the adaptation process of Spanish migrants living in Ireland.
PhD thesis, Dublin City University.
This qualitative study examines the role of humour in cross-cultural adaptation as an interdisciplinary study in the discipline of Intercultural Studies. A review of existing theories of humour presents the complexity of humour studies, which then links to relevant theoretical models of cross-cultural adaptation. This linking draws out the connections between Humour and Intercultural Studies. The occurrence and relevance of these connections is based on the analysis of primary research data from a study on the role of humour in the adaptation process of Spanish migrants living in Ireland.
Data collection is by semi-structured interview of twenty participants and analysis is by grounded theory using Atlas.ti software. Analysis details their views on the cultural facets of humour and the positive and negative effects that humour may have on the process of adaptation to Irish culture. Results demonstrate that humour is a key factor in the cross-cultural adaptation process. Humour is a powerful intercultural tool, an essential element in the acquisition of intercultural competence and a fundamental part of an emerging intercultural identity.