Verbal irony

The aim of the chapter is to re-consider the cognitive and linguistic processes involved as to what makes verbal irony. Looking across its different functions, the chapter argues that it is the conceptual frames that constitute the accepted process in the production of verbal irony. Frames are constantly evaluated by speakers and though they may be in a subversive relation, they form part of one and the same domain. Frames can be contradictory; however, the alternative frame may challenge the initial one, criticize it, restrict or extend it, or the two frames may be subject to hypothetical comparison. These functions are facilitated by special constructional devices that, in their turn, modify frames and thus trigger a variety of very creative uses of irony.