Research Objectives Research Benefits
10 Trudgill 1974 defines taboo as a behavior that is supernaturally
forbidden, or regarded as immoral or improper; it deals with behavior which is prohibited. In language, taboo is associated with things that should not be said,
and words or expression which should not be used. In accordance with that statement, there is a strong bond between taboo behavior and taboo language.
Both of them are forbidden because they are categorized as something immoral and improper. Furthermore, Fairman 2009 also states that every culture has its
own taboo acts and taboo words. Taboo acts are related to any activities that should not be done, while taboo words are related to any words that should not be
said. Due to what is immoral and improper, Brown and Attardo 2005 state that
almost in all society, taboo words are usually uttered in the form of sexual or reproductive organs, excretory organs, taboo breaking behavior, racialethnic
slurs, and blasphemy. Indonesian people for the example have taboo words like kontol, vagina, itil, silit, and memek etc. American people have taboo words like
cunt, dick, tits, and asshole etc. Both of those society have taboo words in the form of reproductive organs.
Standing on the idea of taboo, the researcher will only focus on taboo words rather than taboo acts, therefore the definition and concept of taboo words
will be explained below.