Swear Words among Males: The Social Functions and Pragmatic Meanings

Abstract

Swearing at some stage is similar to cursing; a linguistic activity utilizing taboo words to express strong emotions. Traditionally, swear words contain taboo and offensive expressions. Thus, the users are negatively judged and labeled. Are swear words always negatively framed? This paper tries to prove that such expressions do not only convey negative sense but also provide diverse functions and meanings. Dual mode of communicative data was gained; spoken and written. Besides, direct and virtual interviews were conducted to reveal the males' underlying reasons for swearing. The results may indicate that the use of swear words carries social functions, namely: intraindividual and interindividual which are reflected into cathartic, abusive, emphatic, idiomatic, and dysphemistic swearing. Nonetheless, cathartic and abusive searing are mostly committed. Another finding, pragmatically, swears words are bound by context. They can reflect not only the user's anger but also happiness and even solidarity. The other finding is that males swear more frequently in the presence of a group consisting of their own gender. All these evidence might be a gentle warning on the effect of what one produces and the wise interpretation upon one produces. When these are taken into account, living in harmony is created.

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