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utterance of amazement. For example, ‘She is fucking beautiful’ or ’It is fucking funny’.
After knowing the meaning of swear words, it would be better if we know the function of swear words.
2.2.3 The Function of Swear Words
The usage of most common swear words is to offend or insult other people. However, it has also many varieties in function.
2.2.3.1 to offend
One important function of swear words is to express anger or frustration. ‘A strong language is an appropriate way of expressing strong emotions and feelings,
such as pain or anger in such circumstances’ www.stuff.co.nz. It creates negative impacts toward the participant when those words come out from
somebody’s utterances. The hearer will be offended by the speaker because most swear words have taboo meaning and they are usually used in impolite ways.
2.2.3.2 to reduce tension
Beer in http:news.ufl.edu19960917swear gives different functions to swear words. She says that ‘swear words can reduce tension’. Moreover, she states that
‘swearing is inappropriate but there are actually times when it may be appropriate, if the speaker is prone to swearing. If the company accept swearing or exhibit this
behaviour, it might lead to less monitoring of swearing by the speaker’. People do not regard swearing as an appropriate expression when it is used in inappropriate
time and condition as well as in a different community. However, whenever
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people accept the usage of swear words in their daily conversation, it can cause a comfortable situation; less formal communication in a community.
2.2.3.3 as an identity of a group
As found in http:news.ufl.edu19960917swear, Beers states that ‘this could be a function of the group listening to the speaker, who would determine whether
swearing is inappropriate or not, based on the speaker’s or the listener’s reaction. These words can be used as a way to identify with a group of people’. Swear
words can be used for identifying someone who belongs to a certain group. By using this language, people can determine in what social group he belongs to, for
example, someone from a criminal group. Since his life is related to criminal business, he follows the criminal habit which is mostly hard. This habit also
influences the language and the way he speaks to others. Inserting swear words in a conversation is regarded as ordinary language. The use of swear words becomes
his group’s characteristic and it can be an identity of the group.
2.2.3.4 as the expressions of surprise, disgust and disappointment
