Definition of Terms INTRODUCTION

11 and strongly rejected by the society. However, any sexual activity including incest is regarded as taboo word and it should be avoided. An example for this case is the word motherfucker. Taboo words are words which can harm other people’s feeling if it is spoken or written. Trudgill 1983 defines taboo words as, “In language, taboo is associated with things which are not said, and in particular with words which are not used.” A taboo word which is spoken and break government’s law can lead to punishment and social shame. Meanwhile, people start to use taboo words in the shake of freedom. Those who use taboo words in their conversation defining their life as freedom and the symbol of strength. By breaking the rules, people find out that their lives are more desirable and exciting. Taboo words are considered as swear words because they use offensive and inappropriate words which can give harm and shame to other people. Consequently, the use of swear words and taboo words are under the law. Fershtman, Gneerzy, and Hoffman 2011 describe , “Taboos are enforced by social punishment. The most familiar social punishment involves the attitudes and reactions of other members of society.” p. 141. Taboo words have their own sanction whether it is from government ’s law or individual matter. However, in using the language we have to look at our situation in order to avoid the use of impolite language such as taboo words. In using taboo words, people must have certain reasons. Wardhaugh 2006 states some motives of using taboo words, such as to draw attention to oneself, to show contempt, to be aggressive or proactive, and to mock authority. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 12 a. To draw attention to oneself People have many ways to gain other’s attention. Sometimes, people use taboo words to gain attentions Wardhaugh, 2006. In this sense, taboo words are used since they contain strong words which can trigger other’s reaction easily. b. To show contempt Taboo words are often used by people who are in contempt Wardhaugh, 2006. It is the feeling that someone is useless and worthless. Here, taboo words take a role in weakening other’s position. c. To be aggressive or proactive People often use taboo words to provoke someone Wardhaugh, 2006. Since taboo words are using offensive words which can cause shame and harm to other people, they are suitable to provoke other’s feeling and to make them behave aggressively. d. To mock authority Taboo words are used to mock those who have authority Wardhaugh, 2006. The government is one of the parties who usually get demonstrated and protested from society. Sometimes, people use taboo words against the government because they do not agree with the rules or the new policies.

3. Women and Swearing in American Culture

In defining offensive words, people use various terms, such as cursing, swear words, and profanity. The meaning conveys in each term is the same. Therefore, the terms used in this part are interchangeable based on the context discussed by some experts. 13 In American social life, cursing or the use of offensive emotional language has become ubiquitous Jay, 2005. Both men and women are using curse words in their daily conversation. In English-speaking society, women are regarded as taboo to swear Hughes, 2006, p. 502. This case is related to Lakoff’s 1992 st atement about women’s language. She states that women tend to avoid the use of swear words. Historically, American women are expected to avoid sexual thought. In the United State of America, sexuality is regarded as a taboo topic Jay, 2005. Jay compares some data on the cursing frequency in America between 1986 and 1996, especially from Los Angeles, Massachuset, and California. The findings show that American women tend to use mild oath such as oh my god. Moreover, in the 1996-1998, college female students tend to use profanity such as hell, goddamn, and Jesus to curse. B ased on Jay’s experiment, men are swearing more often rather than women. As women start to enter historically occupied by men, women’s cursing becomes more relaxed. Jay 2005 points out American women are swearing in public more openly rather than 20 years ago. In the society, women who curse tend to represent bad characters, such as drunks, whores, and drug users Jay, 2005. However, the act of cursing is related to the speaker’s personality. Personality is an individual’s consistent pattern of behaviors and thoughts. Women who swear in public are usually regarded as rude and impolite. In the thirteenth century, the term scold was used for a woman who addicted in abusive speech. When we hear a woman curses in public we tend to see her personality. Nevertheless, personality is also triggered by speech habit. Jay PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI