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.

2. Taboo Words

People define taboo words as words that should not be said in daily conversation, because someone who uses taboo words can make the listenerthe 11 addressee shocked or angry. Akmajian, Derner, Farmer, and Harnish 2001 state that taboo words are the words that should not be said when the speaker and the listenerthe addressee in a formal situation. It means to avoid any misunderstanding, people should not speak any taboo words that can make the listenerthe addressee shocked especially in a formal conversation. Allan and Burridge 2006 state that taboo words arise in cases where the individual‟s acts can cause discomfort, harm or injury to himself or herself and to others. From those statements, it can be concluded taboo words are completely prohibited in formal conversations. Most people exactly want to have more friends, not enemies. If someone uses taboo words in formal situation, heshe will make the listenerthe addressee shocked and maybe will make the listenerthe addressee hates the speaker. Normally, the definition of a taboo is just the same, but in several cultures the definition might be different. Allan and Burridge 2006 state that sometimes a community recognizes a taboo, while others not. That statement is similar to Fakuade 2003 that states that the level of taboo words prevention in every language is different because each culture has different cultural views and beliefs. That means the “taboo” point of view from one culture may be different from another culture, although they have similar taboo words. Trudgill 1974 observes that western culture makes some words that have relation to sex, excretion, and Christian religion as taboo. Taboo words which are related to religion become severe because they are related to supernatural things. Some words examples are damn, and Jesus Christ. Then, words that are related to