Abstract: A sense of humor is considered as a lubricant for interpersonal communication. Many humor theories are created with the influence of Grice’s cooperative principle. This paper is going to give a brief introduction to the cooperative principle and its four maxims: maxim of quantity, maxim of quality, maxim of relation and maxim of manner at beginning, and specifically illustrate how the humor is created when the violating of maxims takes place. Through the illustration we claim that the analysis on cooperative principle and its maxim is not only to facilitate a smooth and harmonious conversation but to stimulate humorous interlocution. So this analysis is of great value for us to learn to be humorous. In addition, this also helps the English learner appreciate the essence of English humor and the western culture.
Key words: humor；cooperative principle；Friends
摘要：幽默感被认为是一种促进人际交往的润滑剂，所以幽默如何运作成为了语用学研究的重要课题。本文将从语用学的角度具体分析情景喜剧《老友记》中部分典型的违反合作原则所产生的幽默对话。在这部分分析中，本文将分别从中违反量准则、质准则、关系准则和方式准则四个方面详细进行阐述。通过本文的例证分析，我们认为对合作原则的研究不仅是为了促进流畅和谐的人际交流，同时也有利于激发了人际交流中的幽默对话。所以本文的分析对学习创造幽默意义重大，此外它也帮助英语学习者更好的了解英语幽默中的精辟之处以及西方的文化精髓。
关键词：幽默；合作原则；《老友记》
