dehumour1-1, Exercise 1: Stereotypes about humour

Model answer (one possible set; check each):

1. "The Germans have no sense of humour." Claimed and widely repeated in Britain. The record of German comedy (cabaret, Loriot, satire magazines) is documented, so the claim can be tested against it. Check by looking at what comedy exists and how popular it is.
2. "The British are good at irony and understatement." Claimed, partly documented in British comedy writing, but irony and understatement are not unique to Britain. Check by comparing comedy in several countries, using audience research where it exists.
3. "The Scots are dour." Claimed. Scottish comedy (Billy Connolly, the Fringe, a long tradition of satire) is well documented, which cuts against the claim. Check by looking at the evidence for what Scots laugh at.

The point: for each stereotype, ask who says it, what would count as evidence and whether the evidence is about humour itself or about how a country is seen from outside.