L’humour dans les parémies saoudiennes et tunisiennes : fonctions, valeurs et effets pervers

This article analyzes the comic value and humor conveyed by Arabic proverbs, particularly those in the Saudi and Tunisian dialects. As a language practice, proverbs fulfill several social functions including provision of illocutionary values or illustration of pragmatic aims. At times they have unexpected and detrimental perlocutionary effects, both for the speaker and for the receiver.