What is the difference between sarcasm and irony and how do you recognize them?

Sarcasm And irony there are two forms of expression (and also two rhetorical figures) that have a certain amount of in common ambiguity and they serve to say something that isn’t exactly what it seemsbut with different styles and purposes. While irony can be a form of expression light and friendlysarcasm often is more critical or even aggressiveaimed at highlighting inconsistencies or ridiculing the other (who therefore becomes a “target”).

What is meant by irony

Irony is based on acareful observation of situations and can express disappointment or perplexity in a way indirect. This style of communication uses deliberately ambiguous language to create a double level of interpretation. In social psychology irony is considered one communication strategy which allows you to express divergent opinions in a way non-conflictualpromoting an emotional detachment that facilitates social interactions and lightens the tone of the conversation.

Let’s imagine for example that we just burned dinner and that our house is full of smoke. A friend of ours might say in a good-natured and ironic tone: “Ah, what a scent of a starry dinner!”. Here, the irony arises from the evident contrast between what is said (“a starry dinner”, which suggests a perfect and refined meal) and reality (burnt food and smoking in the house). The ironic statement is such because it is not necessarily intended to offend, but often to play down the incident and arouse laughter.

How to recognize sarcasm

Sarcasm, however, is considered less tolerant and aims to give immediate and sharp answers. Derived from Greek sarkázeinwhich means “to tear the flesh”, sarcasm reflects a harsher and more direct communication method, often used to highlight the error or to criticize. In psychology, sarcasm is considered a form of “disguised aggression”, in which irony is used in a cutting way to convey a criticism without expressing it overtly. Compared to irony, therefore, sarcasm it lends itself less to complicity and more to conflictoften leading to misunderstandings or tensions in interpersonal relationships.

To recognize sarcasm it is essential to understand its tone: often the sarcastic person uses a deliberately exaggerated expression or takes on a particularly emphatic tone. An example would be the exclamation: “No one is as punctual as you!”, said to a person who arrived late. The presence of a clear opposition between the tone and the content of the sentence is a typical sign of sarcasm, as is the choice of words that seem to praise but, in reality, belittle.