Affective theory of mind and linguistic intimacy in irony production: a developmental perspective

Francesca Ervas

;Roberta Fadda

2025-01-01

---

Abstract

Irony is challenging for school-aged children. It involves various processes, including advanced pragmatic and Theory of Mind (ToM) abilities. While there is extensive research on irony comprehension in children, less is known about irony production. This article discusses the possible role of linguistic intimacy and ToM in irony production in children. In irony production, (positive) linguistic intimacy is elicited to deliver a (negative) critical remark. Specifically, we will explore how linguistic intimacy, i.e. the feeling of being part of a community via implicit language might mediate the production of irony versus sarcasm. Familiar contexts enhance both linguistic intimacy and ToM, making irony and sarcasm easier to produce. The article also addresses why irony, and especially sarcasm, is difficult for children to master. In childhood, the affective component of ToM is crucial for community building and belonging. As a result, children may suppress ironic and sarcastic comments to prevent negative social consequences. Specifically, sarcasm produces affective incoherence by targeting a person rather than a situation. For this reason, it might be less likely to be used due to its potential harm to linguistic intimacy. This perspective helps explain the developmental challenges of producing irony versus sarcasm, emphasizing the role of ToM and linguistic intimacy. Future research might test the hypothesis we propose.