Research Article

The Power of Humor and Wit in the Advertisement of Food and Beverage Products: A Multimodal Social Semiotic Analysis

496 reads
Psych Educ Multidisc J, 2025, 48 (2), 141-174, doi: 10.70838/pemj.480202, ISSN 2822-4353

Abstract

This multimodal social semiotic analysis study delved into the humorous advertisements of food and beverage products in the Philippines. The study endeavored to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between humor, wit, and social meanings expressed by food and beverage product advertisements, as well as how these elements are perceived and interpreted by the audience. Fifty-one humorous food and beverage advertisements served as the research materials, and 10 participants were involved in the in-depth interview. Results revealed that the humorous food and beverage advertisements employed semiotic modes such as linguistic, visual, gestural, spatial, and movement. Movement strategies included pan, tilt, track, crane shot, and zoom in/out—all of which were demonstrated through specific camera shots. Additionally, the representational, interactional, and compositional metafunctions of Visual Grammar were utilized by the advertisements to structurally, indicatively, and strategically appeal to the audience.

Keywords multimodality Applied Linguistics multimodal social semiotics semiotic mode metafunctions humor and wit advertising, food and beverage products, visual grammar, Philippines
Authors 2

The team behind this paper

2 authors, 1 institution.

This paper University of the Immaculate Conception — Philippines University of the Immac… 2 authors Rey Pz Abasolo — corresponding author RA Rey Pz Abasolo ✉ Teresita Adriano TA Teresita Adriano

Readership

496 reads over 12 months.

October 2025 September 2026

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Bibliographic Information

Rey Pz Abasolo, Teresita Adriano, (2025). The Power of Humor and Wit in the Advertisement of Food and Beverage Products: A Multimodal Social Semiotic Analysis, Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 48(2): 141-174
Bibtex Citation
@article{rey_pz__abasolo2025pemj,
author = {Rey Pz Abasolo and Teresita Adriano},
title = {The Power of Humor and Wit in the Advertisement of Food and Beverage Products: A Multimodal Social Semiotic Analysis},
journal = {Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal},
year = {2025},
volume = {48},
number = {2},
pages = {141-174},
doi = {10.70838/pemj.480202},
url = {https://scimatic.org/show_manuscript/6602}
}
APA Citation
Abasolo, R.P.., Adriano, T., (2025). The Power of Humor and Wit in the Advertisement of Food and Beverage Products: A Multimodal Social Semiotic Analysis. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 48(2), 141-174. https://doi.org/10.70838/pemj.480202

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