Taboo language refers to words that are typically deemed immoral or inappropriate in everyday language and should be avoided in polite conversion. In general, this comprises curse or swear words, profanities, or offensive speech.
According to Batistella, there are four types of taboo words. They are; epithets, profanity, vulgarity, and obscenity.
The Concept of Taboo Word
Batistella (2005:72) suggests four types of taboo words; epithets, profanity, vulgarity, and obscenity.
Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves; as well as food and dining (primarily cannibalism and dietary laws such as vegetarianism, kashrut, and halal) or religious (treif and haram).
What are some examples of taboo behaviour? Well, you wouldn't walk down a street naked, burp in a stranger's face, or steal a purse from an elderly person. Calling someone a rude name and catcalling a woman in the middle of the day are also considered increasingly unpleasant.
A taboo is an activity or behavior that is forbidden, prohibited or otherwise outside of what is considered acceptable in society. Taboos are grounded in morality, and can also be linked to a culture or religion. An act may be taboo in one culture and not in another.
Essentially, if a particular behavior violates a taboo social norm, it results in extreme disgust and most often expulsion from society. For example, incest or cannibalism is taboo in most cultures and countries.
The reason swearwords attract so much attention is that they involve taboos, those aspects of our society that make us uncomfortable. These include the usual suspects – private parts, bodily functions, sex, anger, dishonesty, drunkenness, madness, disease, death, dangerous animals, fear, religion and so on.
The use of taboo expressions suggests that speakers have, or wish to have, a close personal relationship with others. We also use taboo expressions and swear words when we express strong feelings, or when we wish to threaten or to be unpleasant to others.
This is why I follow the golden rule of not engaging with customers on three topics: Sports, Religion, and Politics.
They are usually based on religion, expressions intended to offend a particular race or sexual orientation, as well as parts of the body and bodily processes – especially relating to sexual activity or using the toilet. We use these expressions in language to add emotion, impact or offence.
What are taboos? Swear words, gay rights, torture, sex, one-parent families, drug abuse, divorce, political freedom, obscene gestures, incest, cannibalism, religious belief, death, alcohol, nudity, suicide, racial abuse, AIDS, terrorism, pregnancy, abortion, polygamy, depression, rape, democracy…
You can't say RED, FRUIT, PIE, CIDER, or CORE. They're TABOO®— utterly unmentionable words! Think fast, talk fast and don't say a TABOO word or you'll get buzzed and lose a point! As you call out the clues, your teammates shout out the answers.
Definition: Taboos are social norms in a society that are considered shocking if you break them. They're often things that no one talks about because they're so embarrassing and socially unacceptable. What is this? Examples: Taboos in American culture include adultery, flirting while married, and spitting at others.
Historically, cannibalism is the ultimate taboo – the line that can't be crossed. What distinguishes it from other types of on-screen nastiness is that it disgusts us in two separate ways – in other words, the prospect of being eaten is nightmarish, but the prospect of doing the eating is almost as bad.
Important examples of food avoidance are pork among Jews, Muslims and Ethiopian Christians; beef among Hindus, some Buddhists and Jains; chicken and eggs in some African communities; dog meat in the West; fish in Mongolia and other parts of central Asia; milk and milk products in Polynesia and parts of China.
According to recent research, however, while similarities do exist, there is no such thing as a universal taboo, and each cultural group has its own set of rules pertaining to acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.
In Aboriginal culture it is taboo to mention (or in some cases write) the name of a deceased person. Aboriginal people believe that if the deceased person's name is mentioned, the spirit is called back to this world.
Chewing open-mouthed (including chewing gum), slurping loudly, burping and talking with a full mouth are considered very rude. If you do any of these things accidentally, say "pardon me" or "excuse me."
Some argue that a form of cultural cringe resulted in anti-heritage attitudes which led to the demolition of many world class pre-war buildings in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide (Australia's three largest cities at the time), destroying some of the world's best examples of Victorian architecture.
There are 5 (five) types of swearing function according to Pinker. They are dysphemistic, idiomatic, abusive, emphatic, and cathartic swearing.
A lot of times when we use the dirty words against others, it might be an indication of our frustration level. Abusing or cursing is a unique way to express our anger, desperation or even defeat. This may be still a taboo and certainly considered as a breach of social etiquette.