Here the Swede is unable to get past the meaning the absolute number of slices has for him – it is not the size of the slice that changes, only the number of slices.
In denying Swedes credit for abstract reasoning, Norwegians make a case for being themselves identified with rational and scientific thinking. Whereas Swedes are portrayed as unenlightened beings harnessed to convention and habit, Norwegian ingenuity and enlightment have a silent presence in the background.
The jokes above represent a series of contrasts to define what Norwegians are and what Swedes are not: Norwegians are rational, Swedes are not; Norwegians are intelligent, Swedes are not; Norwegians have well-developed characters, Swedes do not; and so on. Embedded in these jokes we find not only the good natured rivalry between Norway and Sweden, but information about the values in which Norwegians pride themselves – intelligence, analytical skill, character, and common sense.
Resources
Sol vitser
http://www.sol.no/barn_og_ung/cgi-bin/vi...
 |
