Taboo Words in `What Came Before He Shot Her` Novel by Elizabeth George.

(1)

TABOO WORDS IN “WHAT CAME BEFORE HE

SHOT HER” NOVEL BY ELIZABETH GEORGE

By:

ERIK CAHYA KUSUMA (1201305059)

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF ARTS AND CULTURE

UDAYANA UNIVERSITY


(2)

(3)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Almighty God, for the kindness and the great blessing that was given to me, so that lead of completion of this paper entitled “Taboo words in “What Came Before He Shot Her” Novel by Elizabeth George”. This paper was written with the aim of obtaining the undergraduate degree at the English Department. This paper could not be completed if there was no support of many people and there was almost no proper word that the writer can convey to express gratitude and respect from that helps and contribution.

Next, I have to express great thanks to my research supervisor, Dr Ni Luh Nyoman Seri Malini, S.S M.Hum and I Nyoman Tri Ediwan, S.S M.Hum, without their guidance and dedicated involvement in every step throughout the process, this paper would not be completed. I also express my gratefulness to Putu Ayu Asty Senja Pratiwi, S.S M.Hum. as my my Academic Supervisor for her assistance during my academic years. Also, I like to express my sincerest gratitude for all lectures and administrative staff who shared their knowledge, support, and understanding during my study in the English Department Udayana University.

Moreover, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to my beloved parents, my father and mother Suriyanto and Ni Putu Surati, and my two brothers, I Gede Satriya Wibawa and I Komang Andreyas Wijaya Kusuma for their


(4)

and love so that I can move forward without hesitance to facing all obstacles during my study in these four years and for the completion of this paper.

Last but not least I would like to thank you all for my friend in English Department especially, in English literature 2012 Generation during our study together these four years, thank you for smile support, laugh, stories, share and solidarity.

Finally, I hope this paper can give contribution to the English Department and other researchers.

Denpasar, March 2016

Erik Cahya Kusuma


(5)

ABSTRACT

Taboo words are cultural or religious custom that does not allow to do, use or talk about a particular by the people. However Taboo words are also found in daily conversation which can be reflected in the novel. So that the aim of this study are to analysis the types and function of taboo word in the novel.

The data of this writing were taken from Elizabeth George novel entitled “What came before he shot her”. The data was collected through documentation method. The method was followed by note-taking technique. The descriptive analysis is presented below each type of taboo words, which had been categorized. The analysis of the type and function of taboo words is primarily based on the categorization types of taboo words by Timothy Jay (1992) and the function of taboo words by Liedlich (1973).

The result of the analysis found that 10(ten) types of taboo words found in the novel namely cursing, profanity, blasphemy, taboo, obscenity, vulgarity, slang, epithets, insult and slur, scatology. The function found are namely Create attention, Discredit, Provoke Violent Confrontation, Endearment, The creation of strong intrapersonal identification, and Provide catharsis


(6)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...i

ABSTRACT...iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS...iv

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION...1

1.1 Background...1

1.2 Problems...3

1.3 Aims of study...3

1.5 Research Methods...4

1.5.1 Data Source...4

1.5.2 Method and technique of collecting data...5

1.5.3 Method and technique of analyzing data...6

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW, CONCEPT, AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK...7

2.1. Literature Review...7

2.2. Concept...11

2.2.1. Concept of Taboo Words...11

2.3. Theoretical Framework...13

2.3.1 The Theory of the types of taboo words...13

2.3.2 Function of Taboo Language...19

CHAPTER 3 THE ANALYSIS OF TABOO WORDS IN “WHAT CAME BEFORE HE SHOT HER NOVEL”...22

3.1 The types of taboo words used in “what came before he shot her”...22

3.1.1 Epithets...22

3.1.2 Profanity...24

3.1.3 Blasphemy...26


(7)

3.1.4 Obscenity...27

3.1.5 Cursing...29

3.1.6 Taboo...30

3.1.7 Vulgarity...31

3.1.8 Slang...32

3.1.9 Insult and Slur...35

3.1.10 Scatology...36

3.2 The functions of Taboo words...38

3.2.1 Create Attention...38

3.2.2 Discredit...41

3.2.3 Provoke Violent Confrontation...44

3.2.4 Endearment...46

3.2.5 Creation of strong intrapersonal identification...48

3.2.6 Provide Catharsis...49

CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION...51


(8)

1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

In each of people daily life they always use a language to interact with others to understand each other. And because of that, language has very important function in society, because language is a way to interact one person with others person, especially in communication. Through language, speakers can identify themselves as well as they view their language as a symbol of their identity, for example like the song of their nation and when they confront with each other they greet and shake hands. Language is not simply as a means of communicating of information, it also means to establish and maintain relationship with other people.

To establish and maintain relationship with other people there are many kinds of language and cultural identities that build by the languages; one of them non-standard language and cultural identities that is taboo words. The taboo words originally came from Polynesian language, namely tabu. Taboo is a behavior which is believed to be supernatural forbidden or highly immoral and very improper which is prohibited for irrational rather than rational reason (Trudgill 2003). Language taboo has to do with the words and expressions which were not commonly used, that word usually shocking, offensive, blasphemous or indecent when they are used. “Swear words” are common examples of words which are subject to linguistic taboo. (Jay 1992)


(9)

Consequently, so far as language is concerned, certain things are not to be said or certain objects can be referred to only in certain circumstances, for example, only by certain people that on deliberate condition that he will use taboo words. Tabooed subjects can vary widely: sex, death, illness, excretion, bodily functions, religious matters, the supernatural. But quite often they extend to other aspects of social life. The New Oxford Dictionary of English (2001) says, taboo (also tabu) is a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing.

In particular practice taboo words are used in our daily conversation, especially informal situation people sometime use taboo words in communicating with each other. In the literary language like novels or magazines, taboo words are used to support the plot of the story. However, if we use taboo language in our conversation it was impolite and can make the other person whom we speak with can feel offended.

Based on the explanation above this study will analysis the kind of taboo words and the function of taboo words that the writer used to explain the taboo word from the novel that writer read. The kind of taboo word analysis here to explain taboo word by how many varieties of taboo words that can be found in the novel and classified that word into the kind it belong by the theory taboo words proposed by Timothy Jay.


(10)

1.2 Problems

There are two problems that can be formulated from the background:

1. What types of English taboo words are used in conversation of “What came before he shot her” novelby Elizabeth George?

2. What functions of English taboo words are formed in “What came before he shot her”

novel by Elizabeth George?

1.3 Aims of study

The Aims of this study is based on the problems above as follows:

1. To classify the types of taboo words which are used in the novel “what came before he shot her” novel

2. To analyze the function of taboo words in the novel “what came before he shot her” novel

1.4 Scope of Discussion

This study is limited to the analysis of taboo words that occur in “What Came Before He Shot Her” novel by Elizabeth George. There are two aspects to the limit of this scope of study on the problem there are:

1. The various types of English taboo word in the novel “What Came Before He Shot Her” based on the theory of Timothy Jay (1992), namely cursing, profanity, blasphemy, taboo, obscenity, vulgarity, slang, epithets, insult and slur, scatology.

2. The Function of the Taboo words in novel “What Came Before He Shot Her” based on theory of Liedlich (1973), namely,Create attention, Discredit, Violent Confrontation, Provoke , Endearment, The creation of strong intrapersonal identification, Provide catharsis.


(11)

1.5 Research Methods

Research method is defined as a systematic framework of structure and steps to guide and conduct a research. In order to get a systematic organization of the research, the research method includes the following:

1.5.1 Data Source

The primary data in this study is taken from what came before he shot her novel by Elizabeth George about murder investigation which was published in 2007 by the writer’s Division Headline, hodder headline. In this novel the main character was Joel Campbell following the supportive character, his brother and sister Glory, Vanessa, and Toby Campbell asserts many utterances and this statement was said by them was the source of the data in doing this research. The form of the data are a written text.

“What came before he shot her” novel written by Elizabeth George, this story tell about a family that consist of brother and sister who lost their parents and their lives was drained of care and affection, the Campbell kids rely just on their courage to survive in the world where cruelty is common place and protection comes at a price, eleven years old Joel Campbell, who is the second children is about to learn that keeping his family safety means committing a great crime then the story begin as Joel Campbell and his brother Toby began their journey to find a good home for them to live. In a bus ride they took from London route that move along Du Cane Road in East Acton his oldest sister Vanessa leave them leave them because she want to find any job and she does not want to be disturbed by their brother and that leaves Joel to watch for Toby his brother.


(12)

The data is really relevant to this study because in the novel, the use of English taboo words is included in most of the statements which each has differents function and meaning. Furthermore, the data were taken from the conversation in the novel that provided English taboo word.

1.5.2 Method and technique of collecting data

In this study, the method is included into library research and the data were limited only on the conversations that contain taboo word to make the writing not to be excessive. There were some technique in collecting data through observation. The observation means that the researcher studies or observes a specific situation or type of situation and observation was done through reading the novel and the observation will be supported by some techniques as note taking, listing, and identifying. Note taking means that there is no participation of the researcher during the use of language; the researcher is only as the observer and was done while reading the whole contents of the story. Next Listing will be done in order to Make a list of data is needed to make the identification easier to be done. After all the data were listed, then every taboo word was identified in order to find out the meaning and function of every taboo words found in the novel.

1.5.3 Method and technique of analyzing data

The method and technique of analyzing data for this research was used descriptive method which explained by the string of words. There were some technique in analyzing data through descriptive method, these are: The data of Taboo words was classified based


(13)

on their category of taboo word proposed by Timothy Jay (1992), to find out how many taboo word that been used in the novel and to classifying the function of taboo words that the researcher find after done in classified the category of that taboo words, then Reduction or Elimination is done after the taboo words from the novel were classified by categorizing the taboo itself, Reduction or Elimination was done by categorizing the taboo word using the theory of taboo word that proposed by Jay. Those categories are cursing, profanity, blasphemy, taboo, obscenity, vulgarity, slang, epithets, insult-slur, and scatology, next Analyze means analyzing the functions of each English taboo word that occurred in “what came before he shot her” novel. The taboo words that are found are analyzed to find out the meaning and usage of each taboo word. The function of each taboo word was analyzed using the theory purposed by Liedlich (1973).


(14)

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW, CONCEPT, AND THEORETICAL

FRAMEWORK

2.1. Literature Review

Bektiningtyas thesis (2002) entitled “Taboo Words in Sidney Sheldon’s Bloodline and their translation into Indonesian” discusses about the translation equivalent of English taboo words found in Sidney Sheldon’s novel Bloodline (English version) into the receptor language in Garis Darah (Indonesian version). The theories that support her discussion are related with the translation of equivalent of the English taboo words, euphemism and the theory of the novel. One of the theories is come from Jay who writes that the English taboo words have 10(ten) categories. The translation is an important part of this discussion therefore the theories that are used in this paper are from Larson, Bell, Nida, and others. The result of this discussion is divided into 3 parts. In Bloodline (English version), can be found 66 English taboo words which are categorized into 8 categories. The use of euphemistic language takes the main point in achieving the translation equivalent of the English taboo words in Bloodline (English version). From the source language into the existing translation, the translator keep in mind that ‘reading between the lines’ is essential to get the equal words as the translation equivalent. The different between her research and my research at the part where her research more concentrated on translation but my research is about detailing in what is the function and meaning of taboo words. The writer


(15)

8

can search for a new idea to make more different research theories through her research because she used Jay theories.

Noviyanti thesis (2011) entitled “The Translation of Taboo Words in Scary Movie 3 and Avatar” concern about classifying the kinds of Taboo words, and to investigate the translation of taboo words. The data of this study was taken from the movie research of both movie titles. The analysis of the translation and the taboo words is primarily based on the theories Larson (1998), taboo word theory use Jay and the function of the taboo words according to Holmes (1992). According to Jay (1992: 2-9) there are 10(ten) categories of taboo words: cursing, profanity, blasphemy, taboo, obscenity, vulgarity, slang, epithets, insult, slurs, scatology and for translation there are 3 characteristic by Larson that is: 1. The characteristic of meaning components, 2. The same meaning component, 3. One form can express a variety used to several alternative meaning. And there are two main types of translation Literal translation and Idiomatic translation. For the function of taboo words based by Holmes there are six function of taboo words that is: 1. Expressive, 2. Directive, 3. Referential, 4. Metalinguistic, 5. Poetic, and 6. Phatic function. In her research she used 3 theory that from Larson, Jay, and Holmes. From her research the writer can take a good hint to make more good resource to add in the writer research. Her research was doing translation on 2 movies so the writer can use some of her theories as a review in my research to find types of taboo words and function and meaning of taboo words itself.

Wiadnyana thesis (2012) entitled ‘Taboo Word in the Hollywood Movie “Bad Teacher” concentrated in analyzing the use of taboo words in the movie and to analyzing


(16)

9

the use of taboo language in women’s, men’s and mixed gender conversations in the movie “Bad Teacher”. There are two theories of taboo words proposed by Timothy Jay (1992). Jay classified taboo words into ten types, they are: cursing, profanity, blasphemy, taboo, obscenity, vulgarity, slang, epithets, insult, slurs, and scatology. The second theory that used in this paper is about the features of woman language, proposed by lakoff (1975). Those theories are also supported by some theories from some experts. The data was taken through note-taking technique and the data were categorized based on the theories. The analysis is presented on each type of taboo words by dialogue, and then analyzed it with qualitative method. His research almost same with the second literary review about analyzing language from men and women taboo word just small difference in mixed gender and the theory of analyzing the language is different too, he using the lakoff theory to find the woman language and from this theory the writer can find another way to identify taboo word to make more meaning in taboo words.

There is an article by Reilly in 2013 entitled “Why it's now worse to be called FAT than sworn at: Today's most taboo words relate to body size, skin color and disability" which is included in international journal of linguistics published by Scientech USA this article explain about how Swear words have changed over the centuries and now a new genre of 'modern swear words' has entered the English language. And she also analysis about sex and toilet humor become less taboo, more offensive words related to disability, skin color and body size are beginning to replace them. But experts say that this is a sign


(17)

10

that society is more sympathetic to those who are vulnerable or in a minority and less tolerant of hatred. From this article the writer can used the information and can take advantage about how many taboo words that have growing in this modern state and what kind the taboo words that have change.

There is an article by R.L.G in 2015 entitled “The Last Taboos” which is included in international journal of linguistic published by Berlin USA in this article R.L.G explain about how taboo words is being used in society or in the people life from swearing and cursing that make lots of people feel uncomfortable and even shock. Taboo words have moved from the religious through the sexual and excretory. But in the modern West, the last truly shocking words are those that refer to disadvantaged groups: women, gays, members of racial minorities and those with disabilities. Those liberal newspaper editors who proudly reprinted offensive Muhammad cartoons from Charlie Hebdo out of solidarity with the slain cartoonists would never dream of using the words that slur people from Muslim countries: towelhead, camel jockey, Paki or (take a slow breath) sand nigger. So from this article the writer will take more consideration in search for a sentence that writer must take from novel and this article was very inspiring the writer to search more taboo word and will do the analysis carefully.


(18)

11

2.2. Concept

The Concept consisted of some theories which are relevant to this study. This part of the study presents several basic concepts related to the topic of the study. The concept presented as follows:

2.2.1. Concept of Taboo Words

According to Wardhaugh (2000), taboo is the prohibition or avoidance in any society of behavior believed to be harmful to its members in that it would cause them anxiety, embarrassment, or shame. Consequently, so far as language is concerned, certain things are not to be said or certain objects can be referred to only in certain circumstances, for example, only by certain people, or through deliberate circumlocution, as example euphemistically. Tabooed subjects can vary widely: sex, death, illness, excretion, bodily functions, religious matters, the supernatural. But quite often they extend to other aspects of social life. The New Oxford Dictionary of English (2001) says, taboo (also tabu) is a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing. Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary (Sixth edition) (2004) explains it like this, taboo is a cultural or religious custom that does not allow people to do, use or talk about a particular thing as people find it offensive or embarrassing; taboo words are words that many people consider offensive or shocking, for example because they refer to sex, the body or people’s race. In Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics (2000), taboo word is a term that is avoided for


(19)

12

religious, political or sexual reasons and is usually replaced by a euphemism, as example rest room or bath room for toilet. In these dictionaries, the definitions of “taboo” seemingly vary, but basically they are the same.

Most people who speak English know the rules of taboo and observe the rules. Breaking the rules may arouse considerable dissatisfaction. The use of a taboo word can lead to a variety of feedbacks, even physical violence or legal action. The penalty for breaking a linguistic taboo can be severe, although perhaps not quite as much today as formerly, for obscenity is still a crime in many jurisdictions, but is hardly likely to cost you your life, as the violation of certain non-linguistic taboos, e.g., incest taboos, might be in certain places in the world. (Wardhaugh, 2000) Peoples of different countries do not agree totally on what taboos are. Acts of human excretion and sexual intercourse are to be avoided in polite conversation. Age and salary should be avoided in English conversation. If they must be mentioned, they should be in a euphemistic way. In China, acts of human excretion and sexual intercourse are also taboo, but the Chinese are more tolerant in talking about age and salary, which are often openly said even in serious public talk or conversation. Therefore it is important for a foreign language learner to acquaint himself with such knowledge.

2.3.

Theoretical Framework

This research is really related to the social context, so it so it would be better if we know further more about the elements of the social factor and the classification of the taboo words. All those categories will be needed to help the researcher in analyzing the data


(20)

13

easily. The main theory used in this writing in the theory of types of taboo words proposed by Jay. The second theory for the function the writer will use Liedlich theory to find each function after the classification of each taboo word were found.

2.3.1 The Theory of the types of taboo words

Taboo is closely related to sociolinguistic, because this scope of study is discusses much to the society, which choose the right language in the daily conversation especially in the public. There are some ideas about taboo words proposed by some experts.

Taboo language is a broad conception, and there are different ways that people have attempted to categorize them. Timothy Jay (1992-2), Edwin Battistella (2005:38), give their own ways to categorize taboo words. Actually, there types of taboo language cannot be separated completely, they are always interwoven. When you curse someone, you are probably insulting him or her at the same time

For the main theory in this study is using Jay’s theory. According to Jay (1992:2-9) there are 10(ten) categories of taboo words. They are:

a. Epithets

Epithets are brief but forceful burst of emotional language. They are some powerful in presentation (loudness or duration) and it offensiveness than the other types of cursing. The epithets are uttered from frustration, as when you hit your hand with hammer. Example of epithets would be: “shit”, “damn”, “hell”, “fuck you”.


(21)

14

Profanity is religion related terms, which is “based on the church’s distinction between secular and religious speech” (Jay, 1992:3). Jay writes, “To be profane means to be secular or to be ignorant or intolerant of the guidelines of a particular religious order, but profanity is not a direct attack on the church or religion” (Jay, 1992:3). The range of it is wide, from a mild hell or damn to a more emphatic goddamn. Example of profanity is like, “For the love of Christ, get off the phone!”, “Jesus Christ I’m hungry”.

c. Blasphemy

A blasphemy is an attack on a religious doctrine. While profanity is related to secular or indifferent (to religion), blasphemy aims directly at the church. These verbal were assault that would take the forms using lord’s name in vain or cursing the deities. Blasphemy obtains scorn via the power of the church such that the greater the power of the institution of religion the more one could be punished for the use of blasphemous language. As the church lost power over its people in this century, so blasphemy lost its impact as an insult. Blasphemy would appear as a direct attack on religious figure or religious authority. The blasphemer would be aware of that direct insult to the institution, whereas the profanity might not. These expressions are particularly offensive to the very devout, but may be humorous to the non-believer. Religious blasphemy was at one point punishable by death sentence or excommunication. Today this form of word usage has lost its power to offend the average American (Jay 1992:3). However there is still geographic location within the United States, the highly devout communities, where blasphemy is not tolerated. Further, church members may be cautioned about certain books or motion pictures and the


(22)

15

blasphemous content of such, with the recommendation that members don’t read the books or attend the films, for example: “Screw the Pope!”, “Shit on what it says in the Bible?”, “The church can stick their new fund drive!”.

d. Obscenity

Obscenity as used here is a legal term. The function of obscenity laws to protect listeners. Obscene speech also means unprotected speech; unprotected speech is not free but subject to the restrictions of a governing (federal, state, or local) body. To call a word obscene means that is cannot be used freely. While taboo restricts what speaker do, obscenity laws control the content of the books and the content of broadcast (Jay 1992:5). Obscenity words are considered the most offensive and rarely, if ever, used in public media. Words that gain universal restriction would be, for example: Fuck, motherfucker, cocksucker, cunt, tits.

e. Cursing

Cursing, according to Timothy Jay, is the words “to invoke harm on another person through the use of certain words or phrases” (Jay, 1992:2). When cursing is used, the user is probably aiming to have it take effect happen in the future. It is similar to swear. But they are different in degree. In this study, cursing stands for both swearing and cursing as a category for the example of this cursing word are like “I hope you broke yours neck” or


(23)

16

“eat shit and die!” and another example that has swearing and curse instead like “I swear you will eat your word your fucking asshole!”.

f. Taboo

A Taboo operates to suppress or inhabit certain behavior, thoughts or in this case, speech. Different cultures, in order to preserves social order, use taboos to control individuals within the group. The power or strength of the taboo is relative to power to controlling group to sanction or punish the perpetrator. the larger the threat, the greater the inhibition the language. The function of the taboo is to prohibit the behavior of a speaker and preserve social cohesion. The focus is on the speaker’s behavior. Taboo still surrounds concepts associated with death and dying. One constantly hears euphemism at use such as, for example: “passed away” or “meet his maker” while more powerful and direct language “died” is avoided (Jay, 1992:4).

g. Vulgarity

Vulgarity Means the language of the common person, ‘the person in the street’, or ‘unsophisticated’, un-socialized, under-educated. It does not serve any particular need or function beyond the normal communication demands of the common human, vulgarism is not necessarily obscene or taboo, they just reflect the use of the street language. These words may be considered vulgar: “kiss my ass”.


(24)

17

h. Slang

A Vocabulary that is developed in certain sub-groups (teenagers, musicians, soldiers, drug user or athletes) for case the communication is known as slang. This slang code serves to identify member’s f group, while misuse or ignorance of a identifies non-member, which may be especially important or illegal translation. Sometime slang terms become popular and are used in standard language, putting on sub-groups members to invent new code. Some examples of slang terms are: “pimp”, “dweeb”, “cupcakes”.

i. Insult and Slur

Insult and slur are verbal attack on other people. These words are spoken to harm other person by the word alone. These insults and slurs do not necessarily gain their powers from the religious sanctions or social taboos. They gain their power by denoting real or imagined characteristics or the target. Slurs may be facial, ethnic, or social in nature and may indicate or stereotyping or prejudice of the speaker. Insult may denote the physical, mental, or psychological qualities of the target and are commonly heard on the school playground. They both function to hurt the person directly though the particular word or phrases. Each of these insults and slurs is intended to hurt the listener. Members of the ethnic group on the other hand, may use these terms within their group as terms of endearment or in joking terms. Members outside the group would be less likely to have the use of such language to interpret as jokes or terms of endearment (Jay 1992:8).


(25)

18

Some are based on social deviations, for example: whore, slut, bastard, homo, fag, queer.

j. Scatology

Scatological terms refer to human waste products or processes. Such terms are among the early words that children hear and use when they are toilet trained. Americans have a great penchant for coining childish terms rather than using standardized terms or those like scientific origin. Scatological insult are common among children. Different cultures pay attention to different types of taboo. Americans has a penchant for sexual or religious terms; French insult is more sexual than American and the German appear to be more attentive to scatological reference than other. The terms children say are usually than those that adults would pick for the same referent. Some say only the vulgar would be scatological terms, when a move refined euphemism or technical term could be substituted (Jay 1992:9). Since scatological references about feces and elimination they appear as, for example: Poo poo, Poop, turd, crap, shit, shit ass, shit for brains, piss, piss off, fart.

2.3.2 Function of Taboo Language

According to Liedlich (1973) “Taboo word or verbal obscenity is defined as types of swearing that use indecent words and phrases”. Taboo words as part of the language varieties also have several functions as well as another language varieties. In coming to terms with language: an anthology, he also states that taboo words in certain communicative event have several purposes. Taboo words have six different functions, as below:


(26)

19

a. Create attention

Someone has a tendency to speak out the verbal obscenity when he wants to get attention of the public.

b. Discredit

The people who use taboo words are not satisfied with the public image about certain person, institution, government, etc. Therefore, people use taboo words to attack the mental construction of their target and to express disbelieves about many things in which they assume do not suitable with the public’s standard.

c. Provoke Violent Confrontation

Taboo words is the most effective rhetorical method available to agitators for inciting violent response (Liedlich 1973) it is clearly described that this term refers to the process of researching violent confrontations. When a person is depressed by negative circumstances, there is a need to release this overloaded negative pressure and this kind of psychology needs incite the person to have violent confrontation.

d. Endearment

The use of the Taboo words in particular conversation also helped a person to intimacy between the speaker and the hearer. This factual phenomenon has largely happened in the case of casual interaction between best friend in one particular group teenager or adult without exception. Certain kinds of taboo words usually had this kind


(27)

20

of purposes of asserting the membership of one particular group in which the high level of intimacy is involved.

e. The creation of strong interpersonal identification

The use of taboo words is one particular conversation also helps a person to create a kind of strong interpersonal identification, in which he wants to states what kind of person he is.

f. Provide catharsis

One of the essential functions of taboo words, in which verbal obscenity provides to its user, is to provide catharsis. The idea that the users of taboo words use the offending words in order to release their intense frustration and passion. People tend to use taboo words when they have such problems, somehow, these taboo words perform as the therapy for the speakers ‘psychology’, especially when they are angry, or disappointed with someone or thing. So by acquiring taboo words, they can feel more relieved.


(1)

blasphemous content of such, with the recommendation that members don’t read the books or attend the films, for example: “Screw the Pope!”, “Shit on what it says in the Bible?”, “The church can stick their new fund drive!”.

d. Obscenity

Obscenity as used here is a legal term. The function of obscenity laws to protect listeners. Obscene speech also means unprotected speech; unprotected speech is not free but subject to the restrictions of a governing (federal, state, or local) body. To call a word obscene means that is cannot be used freely. While taboo restricts what speaker do, obscenity laws control the content of the books and the content of broadcast (Jay 1992:5). Obscenity words are considered the most offensive and rarely, if ever, used in public media. Words that gain universal restriction would be, for example: Fuck, motherfucker, cocksucker, cunt, tits.

e. Cursing

Cursing, according to Timothy Jay, is the words “to invoke harm on another person through the use of certain words or phrases” (Jay, 1992:2). When cursing is used, the user is probably aiming to have it take effect happen in the future. It is similar to swear. But they are different in degree. In this study, cursing stands for both swearing and cursing as a category for the example of this cursing word are like “I hope you broke yours neck” or


(2)

“eat shit and die!” and another example that has swearing and curse instead like “I swear you will eat your word your fucking asshole!”.

f. Taboo

A Taboo operates to suppress or inhabit certain behavior, thoughts or in this case, speech. Different cultures, in order to preserves social order, use taboos to control individuals within the group. The power or strength of the taboo is relative to power to controlling group to sanction or punish the perpetrator. the larger the threat, the greater the inhibition the language. The function of the taboo is to prohibit the behavior of a speaker and preserve social cohesion. The focus is on the speaker’s behavior. Taboo still surrounds concepts associated with death and dying. One constantly hears euphemism at use such as, for example: “passed away” or “meet his maker” while more powerful and direct language “died” is avoided (Jay, 1992:4).

g. Vulgarity

Vulgarity Means the language of the common person, ‘the person in the street’, or ‘unsophisticated’, un-socialized, under-educated. It does not serve any particular need or function beyond the normal communication demands of the common human, vulgarism is not necessarily obscene or taboo, they just reflect the use of the street language. These words may be considered vulgar: “kiss my ass”.


(3)

h. Slang

A Vocabulary that is developed in certain sub-groups (teenagers, musicians, soldiers, drug user or athletes) for case the communication is known as slang. This slang code serves to identify member’s f group, while misuse or ignorance of a identifies non-member, which may be especially important or illegal translation. Sometime slang terms become popular and are used in standard language, putting on sub-groups members to invent new code. Some examples of slang terms are: “pimp”, “dweeb”, “cupcakes”.

i. Insult and Slur

Insult and slur are verbal attack on other people. These words are spoken to harm other person by the word alone. These insults and slurs do not necessarily gain their powers from the religious sanctions or social taboos. They gain their power by denoting real or imagined characteristics or the target. Slurs may be facial, ethnic, or social in nature and may indicate or stereotyping or prejudice of the speaker. Insult may denote the physical, mental, or psychological qualities of the target and are commonly heard on the school playground. They both function to hurt the person directly though the particular word or phrases. Each of these insults and slurs is intended to hurt the listener. Members of the ethnic group on the other hand, may use these terms within their group as terms of endearment or in joking terms. Members outside the group would be less likely to have the use of such language to interpret as jokes or terms of endearment (Jay 1992:8).


(4)

Some are based on social deviations, for example: whore, slut, bastard, homo, fag, queer. j. Scatology

Scatological terms refer to human waste products or processes. Such terms are among the early words that children hear and use when they are toilet trained. Americans have a great penchant for coining childish terms rather than using standardized terms or those like scientific origin. Scatological insult are common among children. Different cultures pay attention to different types of taboo. Americans has a penchant for sexual or religious terms; French insult is more sexual than American and the German appear to be more attentive to scatological reference than other. The terms children say are usually than those that adults would pick for the same referent. Some say only the vulgar would be scatological terms, when a move refined euphemism or technical term could be substituted (Jay 1992:9). Since scatological references about feces and elimination they appear as, for example: Poo poo, Poop, turd, crap, shit, shit ass, shit for brains, piss, piss off, fart.

2.3.2 Function of Taboo Language

According to Liedlich (1973) “Taboo word or verbal obscenity is defined as types of swearing that use indecent words and phrases”. Taboo words as part of the language varieties also have several functions as well as another language varieties. In coming to terms with language: an anthology, he also states that taboo words in certain communicative event have several purposes. Taboo words have six different functions, as below:


(5)

a. Create attention

Someone has a tendency to speak out the verbal obscenity when he wants to get attention of the public.

b. Discredit

The people who use taboo words are not satisfied with the public image about certain person, institution, government, etc. Therefore, people use taboo words to attack the mental construction of their target and to express disbelieves about many things in which they assume do not suitable with the public’s standard.

c. Provoke Violent Confrontation

Taboo words is the most effective rhetorical method available to agitators for inciting violent response (Liedlich 1973) it is clearly described that this term refers to the process of researching violent confrontations. When a person is depressed by negative circumstances, there is a need to release this overloaded negative pressure and this kind of psychology needs incite the person to have violent confrontation.

d. Endearment

The use of the Taboo words in particular conversation also helped a person to intimacy between the speaker and the hearer. This factual phenomenon has largely happened in the case of casual interaction between best friend in one particular group teenager or adult without exception. Certain kinds of taboo words usually had this kind


(6)

of purposes of asserting the membership of one particular group in which the high level of intimacy is involved.

e. The creation of strong interpersonal identification

The use of taboo words is one particular conversation also helps a person to create a kind of strong interpersonal identification, in which he wants to states what kind of person he is.

f. Provide catharsis

One of the essential functions of taboo words, in which verbal obscenity provides to its user, is to provide catharsis. The idea that the users of taboo words use the offending words in order to release their intense frustration and passion. People tend to use taboo words when they have such problems, somehow, these taboo words perform as the therapy for the speakers ‘psychology’, especially when they are angry, or disappointed with someone or thing. So by acquiring taboo words, they can feel more relieved.