It's time to get academic

What is the difference between

SARCASM and IRONY ??

I think irony is different from sarcasm because Irony is a form of Sarcasm

it really doesent matter cause if you got any of them your screwed[color=#990000][/color]

Irony --- When u say something, but u really mean the opposite

Sarcasm -- When u say something, you mean the opposite, but u want the person u r talking to, to feel as if u mean wat u are saying.

Actually, Let's go to the dictionary.
IRONY -- The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.
Sarcasm -- # A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.

I like my definition better.

bolex:

I think irony is different from sarcasm because Irony is a form of Sarcasm

actually, Sarcasm is a form of Irony.


Irony comes in many forms.
when you expect something but the opposite of what you expect happens
ex. there has been a drought for 10 years so a farmer starves himself to save all his money in that 10 years to build a well. the day after the comletion of the well, a heavy rain falls and rain continues to fall periodically after wards.

When your watching a movie. You know the character's husband died in a car accident (because you saw it happen in a scene) but the character doesn't know and prepares his dinner and waits for him until 12pm.
that's another example of irony.


something like this is ironic: "I'm not mad I'm happy actually "
you know the person is mad because of his facial expression/ emoticons.



Sarcasm is the same as Irony except it's meant to be funny or mean/rude
when someone accidentally drops his lunch, does something stupid and you clap and say "good job! " you're being sarcastic.
or if you say something like: "rolflmao you're sooo pretty "
that's a sarcastic comment.

Ohh boy, english sucks.

It does.

WesleyanA:

It does.

hot-angel:

Ohh boy, english sucks.

It does sucks well

Like ,



***sighs***

Yeah it does.

Irony is a subtle sarcasm,meant to be humorous.The meaning intended is the opposite of the word/s used.Sarcasm is used mainly to hurt,through taunts,jeers,mockery ridicule and stuff like that.

you know why do any of us care i mean it allways happen to us and that is the only thing they got in common

reniks:

Irony is a subtle sarcasm

sighs 

Irony isn't a type or form of sarcasm.
It's the other way round.
sarcasm is mean/humorous Irony.

kit kat:

you know why do any of us care i mean it allways happen to us and that is the only thing they got in common

You need to know the difference if you want to become a writer or any kind of professional (screenwriting e.t.c). I guess it's for proper usage
Seun's new satire site for example relies heavily on the use of satire. So it's not that bad to learn this stuff.

I feel bad for english teachers sometimes It's so complicated.

@wesleyan

u are right !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@wesleyan,are you giving the dictionary definition or ur personal definition?Anyway i checked my dictionary first and the dictionary is "Websters New World Dictionary"2nd college edition.Besides as a language student have had to deal with the two words frequently.So i'll stick with my definition for now.

U all got kool contributions and a wonderful answer. Any teacher would score u all a high score.
But I on my part see Sarcasm as a form of Irony, though Sarcasm aims at criticising the person refered to.
U can take an example of this

IRONY - This is the best football team having lost 4 of 5 matches. Meaning: Dats the laziest or worst team.

Sarcasm - This are the 'The Holy men' that will enter heaven alive. As u know, no man enters heaven alive, but it is actually meant to criticise the altitude of those persons refered to.

I guess my opinion will help a bit in ur knowlege. U can reach me privately for any more colum via nd_smart2luv@yahoo.com

Luv U all

I just wanna add this to my previous post. My dictionary defines irony thus;a method of humorous or subtly sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning is the direct opposite of their usual sense[the irony of calling a stupid plan clever].Sarcasm is however defined as a taunting,sneering,cutting,or caustic remark;gibe or jeer generally ironical.In essence irony has elements of sarcasm and vice versa.I wasn't even considering one as a type of another.

cool

I'll stick w/ mine too.

Cool!

There is a discrepancy between Sarcasm and Irony in literature in English.
Now let me tackle it by looking at them by their definition, sarcasm is a statement that is meant to hurt the feeling of somebody or a listener and is therefore an ironical statement in the other way round while an irony is the opposite of what someone has in mind. There are three types of irony, situational irony, dramatic irony and verbal irony.
Example of a sarcastic statement is just like saying :
1. Mr John is a man of wisdom but when he dies wisdom will equally be buried with him in the grave. This is only trying to hurt or make Mr John to feel bad and it is an open speech.
Irony:
2. Uche is the tallest boy in our class. Considering the fact that Uche is short and the speaker ironically or indirectly trying to say that Uche is the shortest boy in their class.
Any more thing on the difference between sarcasm and irony should be sent to my email below: emmaezesco@yahoo.com