A CIT-based Study Of English Puns

English pun is an interesting language phenomenon which has influenced people from all walks of life. So far, a multitude of studies have been contributed to the study of English puns from different perspectives. However, few researches touch the meaning construction process and its mechanism of comprehension. Besides,the classification of English puns is not adequate for explaining the generation progress .In view of this, this thesis attempts to make a tentative study of the meaning construction of English puns in the light of Conceptual Integration Theory and try to reclassify English puns. At the same time, the comprehension process will be revealed as well.This thesis adopts a qualitative method to analyze English puns based on Conceptual Integration Theory. According to this theory, the meaning construction of language has something to do with network models within the framework of Conceptual Integration Theory. Therefore, English puns are reclassified into four types and the characteristics of each kind of puns are illustrated with the help of network models. The author also applies Conceptual Integration Theory to the explanation of misunderstanding and incomprehension of English puns.The present study provides a new approach for puns in English. Unlike the previous studies, this study focuses its attention on the issue of the on-line meaning construction and comprehension of English puns. In spite of limitations in the research, observing and addressing English puns by virtue of Conceptual Integration Theory is a good point of departure.