“So Your Boyfriend Has AfD Humour?”: Sarcasm and Irony as Psychological and Social Resources in Integration Discourse

This chapter examines how ethnic minorities employ specific humour styles, particularly sarcasm as a type of humorous irony, as resources for identity construction and psychological wellbeing. Through discourse analysis of focus group interactions among German-Turkish descendants, the study investigates how these humour styles function as sophisticated tools for managing identity and maintaining psychological wellbeing in the face of societal challenges. The analysis reveals how sarcasm serves multiple psychological functions: sarcastic remarks enable speakers to challenge dominant discourses while maintaining positive self-identity, create psychological distance from stigma, and build group solidarity. By focusing on the micro-level construction and reception of ironic and sarcastic humour in focus group discussions, the study provides new insights into the relationship between specific humour styles and psychological wellbeing among ethnic minorities. These findings contribute to our understanding of humour’s role in identity work and psychological adaptation in minority communities.