Abstract
Based on reports from recent experimental studies, this contribution argues for a key role of emotion assessment in the complex task of interpreting an ironic speaker's mind. A correct assessment of the speaker's emotions contributes importantly to the complex understanding of the mind of a speaker using irony to criticize.
A correct assessment of the speaker's intended emotions contributes to one's understanding of the mind of a speaker using irony to praise. The paper argues for the significance of bridging research efforts in the domains of the social-cognitive development and pragmatic development to answer questions of larger theoretical importance.