3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies – Vol (3): 21 – 34 21 Building Academic Relations and Solidarity through Humour at Work NOR AZIKIN MOHD OMAR Faculty of Languages and Linguistics Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin norazikin@unisza.edu.my JARIAH MOHD JAN Faculty of Languages and Linguistics University Malaya ABSTRACT The use of humor at the workplace has been well researched in Western countries but such studies in Asian societies are still in its infancy. This study aims to investigate the utilization of humour in academic meetings. In particular, it aims to investigate the factors that influence rapport building through humour in asymmetrical and symmetrical relationships. Data for the study comprise of video recordings of naturally occurring interaction between academic staff meeting. Hay’s Taxonomy of Functions of Humour (1995) was used to categorise the functions of humour that mainly maintains solidarity among academicians. Results indicate that friendly teasing and “all-together-now” i.e. AATN (Coates 1989) are frequently used amongst academics to develop and maintain solidarity. Humour appreciation is also shown to strengthen, construct and maintain collegiality in the workplace setting. Keywords: humour; solidarity; workplace communication; academic management meetings; Malaysia INTRODUCTION The objective of this study is to examine and describe the concept of solidarity that is manifested in humour in semi-formal meetings. Solidarity is concerned with the concept of equivalent power and set of relations, which are symmetrical (Brown & Gilman 1960, p. 258). According to Tannen (1993, p.167), solidarity is a similar concept to rapport, which governs symmetrical relationship that is characterised by social equality and similarity. Solidarity is established by the common views and interests that the members share among each other. This brings them closer thus promoting camaraderie within the group. In a workplace interaction, solidarity is built by social activities such as social talk and the use of humour. Research in New Zealand workplaces suggests that humour can be employed to construct and maintain positive relationship among colleagues (Holmes 2006). The nature of humour helps strengthen, construct and maintain collegiality in the workplace setting. Holmes and Stubbe (2003) stated that obvious contribution of humour is the construction of positive relationship between work colleagues. The nature of humour, which can be used to soften directives and criticism, aids to construct and maintain solidarity among colleagues. By using humour, the speaker recognises and respects the face needs of the addressee (Holmes & Stubbe 2003, p.114) thus mitigating the impact of conflict at the workplace. The type of humour that reinforces solidarity among participants in interaction is called supportive humour. Supportive humour involves collaborative contribution by several participants who are familiar with each other’s way of joking whereby they extend and build