AN ANALYSIS OF SWEAR WORDS USED IN “EMINEM” SONG LYRICS
AN ANALYSIS OF SWEAR WORDS
USED IN “EMINEM” SONG LYRICS
THESIS
By:
AFRI RAMADINATA
08360083
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
(2)
AN ANALYSIS OF SWEAR WORDS
USED IN “EMINEM” SONG LYRICS
THESIS
This thesis is submitted to meet one of the requirements to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education
By:
AFRI RAMADINATA
08360083
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
(3)
This thesis written by Afri Ramadinata was approved on January 30, 2013
By:
Advisor I, Advisor II,
(4)
This thesis was defended in front of the examiners of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of University of Muhammadiyah Malang
and accepted as one of the requirements to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education
On January 30, 2013
Approved by:
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education University of Muhammadiyah Malang
Dean,
Dr. M. Syaifuddin, M.M
Examiners: Signatures:
1. Fardini Sabilah, M.Pd 1. ………..
2. Bayu Hendro, M.Ed, Ph.D 2. ………...
3. Dra. Erly wahyuni, M.Si 3. ………...
(5)
MOTTO AND DEDICATION
“
Barangsiapa yang bersungguh-sungguh maka dia akan mendapatkan hasilnya”“Try to be better”
Dedication This thesis dedicated to:
My beloved parents M.Yusuf.CM (father) and Tety Munawati (Mother) My beloved brothers Nursodiqin, AlamTanzilah
My beloved dear Riris Fia Mustika
(6)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillah, first and foremost the researcher wants to praise and grateful to Allah SWT for giving health and blessing and also sholawat to his prophet Muhammad SAW for guiding him from darkness to the brightness.
The researcher also would like to express his deepest gratitude to his first advisor, Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si, and his second advisor, Drs. Soeparto, M.Pd, for their patience, suggestions, invaluable guidance and advice during the consultation period, and their comments and corrections during the completion of this thesis.
His biggest appreciation refers to his family, his beloved mother Tety Munawati, father M. Yusuf CM, his brother Nursodiqin, AlamTanzilah, and Febrian, who always prays and supports him in happiness and sorrow and thanks a lot for all the great ideas that had been given, his big brother thanks a lot for the support and the critics given.
Special thanks to all of his friends whose name cannot be mentioned one by one, thanks a lot for supports, advices, critics, jokes, when we met for the first time until he can finish his thesis. Last but not leas is to competitors out there who automatically gives him injection of spirit to get this all done.
May ALLAH bless all of us, AMIN!
Malang, 30 January 2013
The Researcher,
(7)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Title ………. i
Approval………. ii
Legalization ……… iii
Motto and Dedication ………... iv
Acknowledgment ……….. v
Abstract ……….. vi
Table of Contents ……….. vii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of the Study ………. 1
1.2. Problems of Study ……… 6
1.3. Purposes of Study ……… 6
1.4. Significance of the Study ………. 6
1.5. Scope and Limitation ……… 7
1.6. Definition of Key Term ……… 7
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2.1. Literature ………... 9
2.2. Sociolinguistics ………. 9
2.3. Language Variety ………. 9
2.3.1. The Speaker Variety ……….. 10
2.3.2. The Functional Variety ……….. 11
2.3.3. The Formality Variety ……….... 12
2.3.4. The Media Variety ……….…. 13
2.4. Swear Words ……….……… 15
2.4.1. Historical State ………..….. 15
2.5. The Categories of Swear Words ……….………... 16
2.5.1. Sexual Term ……….………... 16
2.5.2. Madness Term ………. 16
2.5.3. Excretion Term ……… 17
(8)
2.5.5. Animal Term ………... 17
2.5.6. National Term ………. 17
2.6. Reason for Swearing ………. 18
2.6.1. Hearing Something Strange ……….... 18
2.6.2. To Express Emotion ………... 18
2.6.3. Creating Attention ……….…. 18
2.6.4. Establish a Group Identity ………. 18
2.7. Song ………..……. 18
2.8. Types of Song ……….…….. 19
2.9. Eminem in Rap Song ……… 22
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1. Research Design ……… 23
3.2. Research Approach ………... 24
3.2.1. Pragmatic Approach ……….…....….. 24
3.2.2. Mimetic Approach ……….………. 24
3.2.3. Expressive Approach ……….. 24
3.2.4. Objective Approach ……… 25
3.3. Research Object ……….……… 25
3.4. Data Collection ……….…. 25
3.5. Data Analysis ……….… 26
CHAPTER IV: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 4.1. Findings ………. 27
4.1.1. Types of Swear Word ………. 27
4.1.1.1. Sexual Term ……….. 27
4.1.1.2. Madness Term ……….. 28
4.1.1.3. Excretion Term ………. 29
4.1.1.4. Animal Term ………. 31
4.1.1.5. Nationality Term ………... 33
4.1.2. Meanings of Swear Word ……… 34
4.1.2.1. Sexual Term ………... 34
(9)
4.1.2.3. Excretion Term ……….. 34
4.1.2.4. Animal Term ……….. 34
4.1.2.5. Nationality Term ……… 35
4.2. Discussion ……….. 35
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION 5.1. Conclusion ………. 37
5.2. Suggestion ……….. 39
5.2.1. For Students ………. 39
5.2.2. For Teacher ……….. 39
5.2.3. For the Next Researcher ……….. 39
BIBLIOGRAPHY ……… 40
Appendix 1: My Mom (Slim Shady LP released in 1999 album) ………. 42
Appendix 2: My Dad’s Gone Crazy (The Eminem Show released 2002 album) 45
Appendix 3: Love Me (Eminem Present the Re-up released 2006 album) .……. 48 Appendix 4: Run Rabbit Run (Eminem Present the Re-up released 2006 album) 51 Appendix 5: Nail in the Coffin (Eminem Present the Re-up released 2006 album) 53
(10)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ardictionary. 2011. Definition of Analysis. (Online), (http://ardictionary.com).
Aslinda, and Syafyahya L. 2007. Pengantar Sosiolinguistik. Bandung: Refika Aditama
Bogdan R, and Biklen S. 2007. Qualitative research for education an introduction to theories and methods (Fifth Edition). USA: Pearson
Coopland, Nikolas and Jaworski, Adam. 1997. Sociolinguistic: A Reader and Coursebook. California: St. Martin Press Inc.
Chaer, Abdul and Leonie Agustina. 1995. Sosiolinguistik: PerkenalanAwal. Jakarta: RinekaCipta. Crystal, D. 1997. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language (Second Edition). Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Fernandez. 2008. Swear Words Used by male Indian Undergraduates in Daily Conversation.Thesis.Yogyakarta.U GajahMada.
Flanagan Mark. 2012. Definition of Poetry. (Online), (http: //brainy quote//home).
Forster. 2006. Definition of the Novel. (Online), (http:// business dictionary/ definitions novel) Green, J. 2000. Big Book of Being Language: 7000 Slang Insult. New York: Cassela.
Holman. 1996. A handbook to literature. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
Japutri. 2006. A study of swear words used by all characters in the movie the nutty professor.Thesis. Malang. U Maulana Malik Ibrahim.
Kennedy. 1983. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (Third Edition). Canada: Little Brown and Company.
Liedlich, R. 1973 . Coming to Terms With Language : An Anthology. Ney york: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Lighter, K. 1994.Type of American Song Volume I & II. New York: Random House.
McMillan, James H. and Schumacher, Sally.1993. Research in Education: A Conceptual Introduction. USA: Harper Collin College Publisher.
Rees. 2008. An introduction to Literature and Literary Criticism. Nigeria: Publisher National Open University of Nigeria.
Wardaugh. Ronald. 2002. An Introduction to Sociolinguistic. Oxford: Black Well. Great Britain. MacMillan Press Ltd.
Wikipedia. 2012. The definition a Lyrics. (Online), (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lyrics) Wikipedia. 2012. Eminem Discography. (Online), (http//en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Eminem). Wikipedia. 2012. Definition of Song. (Online), (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song).
(11)
Wordnik. 2008. The definition of drama. (Online), (http: //wordnik//definitions). Zaidan. 2001. Kamus istilah sastra. Jakarta: Balai Pustaka.
(12)
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
As the introduction of the research, this chapter presents background of the study, problem of the study, purpose of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitation, and the definition of the key term.
1.1Background of the Study
Literary work expresses a series of happening of human life such as their problems, struggle of life, and conflict of life. According to Rees (2008) literature is summed up expressions in words (written or spoken), especially arranged in pleasing accepted patterns of form. Literature expresses thoughts, feelings, ideas or other special aspects of human experiences.
In general, literary work includes poetry, drama, novel, and also song. Poetry is self-imaginative language or composition, whether expressed rhythmically or in novel. Drama is a composition in novel or poetry, accommodated to action, and intended to exhibit a picture of human life, or to depict a series of humorous action ordinary interest. It is commonly designed to be spoken and represented by actors on the stage. Novel is relatively longer fictional with characters, dialogues, actions, and events, and a plot that ties them all together into a coherent whole. According to Jack (1999: 15), song is a short musical work set to poetic text, with equal importance is given to the music and to the words; it may be written for one several voices and generally is performed with instrumental accompaniment. However, song is always identical with lyrics which are mostly in a form of
(13)
2
poetry. Lyric is self a set of words that make up a song, either by speaking or singing, was made by song writer from their idea, thought, emotion, and expression of their feeling that originally referred to a poem which intended to be sung. It cannot be denied that everybody needs music in their life.
People often hear swear words such as shit, fuck, damn it, or nuts when they hear western songs. But there are many differences between the black people swear words and white people, like how peoples use it, from the diction, the movement, the meaning, etc. it is different not only from the shape but also from
the diction. For instance, the white people maybe will say ‘motherfucker’, but the
black people ones will say ‘muthafucka’. Those swear words are same in
meaning, yet different in diction. Besides, the black people also commonly use swear words such as damn and hell, while the white ones commonly equating people with animals, such as fucking bitch and fucking pussies.
One of individual singers is Eminem. Eminem is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He is the first white rapper that becomes very well-known all around the world. His music genres is rap and his music concern about problems in daily life. Beside of that, Eminem is one of rapper that mostly used swear word
in his song lyrics’. Because by using that word he fell satisfied with the problem that past in his life without considering that he can solve it or not, and in every album that he released also became controversial, especially in his country. Because of that reason, the researcher is interested in analyzing Eminem song especially in his lyrics. Furthermore, every musician has many different ways to express something and one of this ways is singing. By song the singers can express their idea, feelings, and make it more attractive to listener (Frederik, 1990:
(14)
3
144). The musicians mostly use beautiful language in making their song lyrics, including in used swear word.
The same research about swear words has been conducted by Fernandez
(2008) “Swear Words Used by male Indian Undergraduates in Daily Conversation” he analyzes the use of swearing (in everyday conversation) by
young male Indian undergraduates in the university. Since, these undergraduates have become acclimatized to the modern trend of using language where swearing has become accepted to easy going, informal and trendy. The significance of his study is to highlight that swearing is norm the young male Indian. Undergraduates as they group. In this research, the researcher uses conventional analysis as its framework. The result of this research reveals that, the reason of the male Indian undergraduates because they want to remain popular and have no hesitation in swearing as they seem easy to use, informal and also trendy. Swearing appears to bring about a bond for them without any judgment passed.
Another research about swear words was Japutri (2006) “A study of swear
words used by all characters in the movie the nutty professor”. She analyze all kind swear words use by the characters in the Nutty Professor movie by using descriptive quantitative approach. In her research, that was conducted in nutty Professor Movie she found first, kind of swear words, anatomical term are the most frequent swear words classification that is used by the characters in the movie. Second she also finds out of the most frequent of principle purpose that is used by the characters is to insult.
(15)
4
Practically, it can be used as a reference by the readers especially the students at English Department Faculty of Teacher Training and Education University of Muhammadiyah Malang to analyze the swear words which are used in Eminem song lyrics. The lyrics inspire the researcher to make a study of the swear words which often heard by the society from the song especially English song.
1.2 Problems of the Study
Related to the background of the study above, the researcher formulates the problem as follows:
1. What are the categories of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics? 2. What are the meaning of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics?
1.3 Purposes of Study
The main purposes of this research are:
1. To analyze the categories of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics. 2. To know the meaning of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics.
1.4 Significance of the Study
It is hope that this research will be useful for education, especially in English Department University of Muhammadiyah Malang. On the other hand, it also gives additional information for the students who take sociolinguistics subject. This research has a contribution for the students who want to improve their knowledge in understanding swear words in song lyrics. This research is also hoped to give input to the students or the lecturer that interested in the same field.
(16)
5
1.5 Scope and Limitation
Since there are many purposes of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics, the researcher observes only five of his song lyrics about the categories of the swear words that are used in Eminem song lyrics and also about the meaning of it.
1.6 Definition of Key Term
To make the limitation of this research is clearer, it is necessary to know and understand the meaning of key term of this study.
1. Analysis : A resolutions of anything, whether an object of the sense or of the intellect, into its constituent or original elements; an examination of the component parts of a subject, each separately, as the words which compose the sentence, the tones of tune, or the simple propositions which enter into an argument.
2. Swear words : “The unacceptable and rude words of a language are known as the swear words, or bad language. They include the strongest and most offensive words; stronger than slang and colloquial language” (Crystal, 2003:98-99)
3. Eminem : The singer of the song.
4. Song : a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing. A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs. The lyrics (words) of songs are typically of a poetic, rhyming nature, though they may be religious verses or free prose.
(17)
6
5. Lyric : Lyrics (in singular form lyric) are a set of words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of expression. The lyricist of traditional musical forms such as Opera is known as a librettist.
(1)
1
INTRODUCTION
As the introduction of the research, this chapter presents background of the study, problem of the study, purpose of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitation, and the definition of the key term.
1.1Background of the Study
Literary work expresses a series of happening of human life such as their problems, struggle of life, and conflict of life. According to Rees (2008) literature is summed up expressions in words (written or spoken), especially arranged in pleasing accepted patterns of form. Literature expresses thoughts, feelings, ideas or other special aspects of human experiences.
In general, literary work includes poetry, drama, novel, and also song. Poetry is self-imaginative language or composition, whether expressed rhythmically or in novel. Drama is a composition in novel or poetry, accommodated to action, and intended to exhibit a picture of human life, or to depict a series of humorous action ordinary interest. It is commonly designed to be spoken and represented by actors on the stage. Novel is relatively longer fictional with characters, dialogues, actions, and events, and a plot that ties them all together into a coherent whole. According to Jack (1999: 15), song is a short musical work set to poetic text, with equal importance is given to the music and to the words; it may be written for one several voices and generally is performed with instrumental accompaniment. However, song is always identical with lyrics which are mostly in a form of
(2)
poetry. Lyric is self a set of words that make up a song, either by speaking or singing, was made by song writer from their idea, thought, emotion, and expression of their feeling that originally referred to a poem which intended to be sung. It cannot be denied that everybody needs music in their life.
People often hear swear words such as shit, fuck, damn it, or nuts when they hear western songs. But there are many differences between the black people swear words and white people, like how peoples use it, from the diction, the movement, the meaning, etc. it is different not only from the shape but also from the diction. For instance, the white people maybe will say ‘motherfucker’, but the black people ones will say ‘muthafucka’. Those swear words are same in meaning, yet different in diction. Besides, the black people also commonly use swear words such as damn and hell, while the white ones commonly equating people with animals, such as fucking bitch and fucking pussies.
One of individual singers is Eminem. Eminem is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He is the first white rapper that becomes very well-known all around the world. His music genres is rap and his music concern about problems in daily life. Beside of that, Eminem is one of rapper that mostly used swear word in his song lyrics’. Because by using that word he fell satisfied with the problem that past in his life without considering that he can solve it or not, and in every album that he released also became controversial, especially in his country. Because of that reason, the researcher is interested in analyzing Eminem song especially in his lyrics. Furthermore, every musician has many different ways to express something and one of this ways is singing. By song the singers can express their idea, feelings, and make it more attractive to listener (Frederik, 1990:
(3)
144). The musicians mostly use beautiful language in making their song lyrics, including in used swear word.
The same research about swear words has been conducted by Fernandez (2008) “Swear Words Used by male Indian Undergraduates in Daily Conversation” he analyzes the use of swearing (in everyday conversation) by young male Indian undergraduates in the university. Since, these undergraduates have become acclimatized to the modern trend of using language where swearing has become accepted to easy going, informal and trendy. The significance of his study is to highlight that swearing is norm the young male Indian. Undergraduates as they group. In this research, the researcher uses conventional analysis as its framework. The result of this research reveals that, the reason of the male Indian undergraduates because they want to remain popular and have no hesitation in swearing as they seem easy to use, informal and also trendy. Swearing appears to bring about a bond for them without any judgment passed.
Another research about swear words was Japutri (2006) “A study of swear words used by all characters in the movie the nutty professor”. She analyze all kind swear words use by the characters in the Nutty Professor movie by using descriptive quantitative approach. In her research, that was conducted in nutty Professor Movie she found first, kind of swear words, anatomical term are the most frequent swear words classification that is used by the characters in the movie. Second she also finds out of the most frequent of principle purpose that is used by the characters is to insult.
(4)
Practically, it can be used as a reference by the readers especially the students at English Department Faculty of Teacher Training and Education University of Muhammadiyah Malang to analyze the swear words which are used in Eminem song lyrics. The lyrics inspire the researcher to make a study of the swear words which often heard by the society from the song especially English song.
1.2 Problems of the Study
Related to the background of the study above, the researcher formulates the problem as follows:
1. What are the categories of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics? 2. What are the meaning of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics?
1.3 Purposes of Study
The main purposes of this research are:
1. To analyze the categories of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics. 2. To know the meaning of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics.
1.4 Significance of the Study
It is hope that this research will be useful for education, especially in English Department University of Muhammadiyah Malang. On the other hand, it also gives additional information for the students who take sociolinguistics subject. This research has a contribution for the students who want to improve their knowledge in understanding swear words in song lyrics. This research is also hoped to give input to the students or the lecturer that interested in the same field.
(5)
1.5 Scope and Limitation
Since there are many purposes of swear words used in Eminem song lyrics, the researcher observes only five of his song lyrics about the categories of the swear words that are used in Eminem song lyrics and also about the meaning of it.
1.6 Definition of Key Term
To make the limitation of this research is clearer, it is necessary to know and understand the meaning of key term of this study.
1. Analysis : A resolutions of anything, whether an object of the sense or of the intellect, into its constituent or original elements; an examination of the component parts of a subject, each separately, as the words which compose the sentence, the tones of tune, or the simple propositions which enter into an argument.
2. Swear words : “The unacceptable and rude words of a language are known as the swear words, or bad language. They include the strongest and most offensive words; stronger than slang and colloquial language” (Crystal, 2003:98-99)
3. Eminem : The singer of the song.
4. Song : a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing. A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs. The lyrics (words) of songs are typically of a poetic, rhyming nature, though they may be religious verses or free prose.
(6)
5. Lyric : Lyrics (in singular form lyric) are a set of words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of expression. The lyricist of traditional musical forms such as Opera is known as a librettist.