13. The perception of the expression of taboos: a sociolinguistic study
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Ana M. Cestero Mancera
Abstract
The study of linguistic taboos has experienced considerable, although still limited, development in recent decades. These studies have especially approached the topic from disciplines that deal with speech, such as sociolinguistics or pragmatics, which has led to an expansion of the subject of these studies and also to the use of interdisciplinary approaches. However, one of the least studied aspects regarding the linguistic expression of taboo concepts, behaviours and realities is variation conditioned by social factors. With the aim of broadening knowledge of the discursive functions and the influence of certain social factors (sex, age, education level and social class), we are performing a study on linguistic taboos in the speech from Madrid. This study will focus on two different angles: on the one hand, what occurs in oral discourse, in a semi-formal register; and on the other, the perception that speakers have of the use of taboo expressions. In earlier works, we have shared the results from the first part of our research and the conclusions we have reached regarding sociolinguistic patterns in expressing taboos (Cestero 2015a, 2015b); this time our main focus is the analysis of results obtained from administering a questionnaire, which was designed for the study and follows the model used in earlier sociolinguistic studies (Lopez 1990, 2001, 2005; Martinez 1995; Drange 1997; Calvo 2008). This questionnaire has been distributed in Madrid, with the aim of advancing our knowledge based on the analysis of the perception of speakers from different genders, age groups or socio-cultural statuses, of how they act with respect to the use of taboo expressions in formal, semi-formal and informal registers.
Abstract
The study of linguistic taboos has experienced considerable, although still limited, development in recent decades. These studies have especially approached the topic from disciplines that deal with speech, such as sociolinguistics or pragmatics, which has led to an expansion of the subject of these studies and also to the use of interdisciplinary approaches. However, one of the least studied aspects regarding the linguistic expression of taboo concepts, behaviours and realities is variation conditioned by social factors. With the aim of broadening knowledge of the discursive functions and the influence of certain social factors (sex, age, education level and social class), we are performing a study on linguistic taboos in the speech from Madrid. This study will focus on two different angles: on the one hand, what occurs in oral discourse, in a semi-formal register; and on the other, the perception that speakers have of the use of taboo expressions. In earlier works, we have shared the results from the first part of our research and the conclusions we have reached regarding sociolinguistic patterns in expressing taboos (Cestero 2015a, 2015b); this time our main focus is the analysis of results obtained from administering a questionnaire, which was designed for the study and follows the model used in earlier sociolinguistic studies (Lopez 1990, 2001, 2005; Martinez 1995; Drange 1997; Calvo 2008). This questionnaire has been distributed in Madrid, with the aim of advancing our knowledge based on the analysis of the perception of speakers from different genders, age groups or socio-cultural statuses, of how they act with respect to the use of taboo expressions in formal, semi-formal and informal registers.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword V
- Table of contents IX
- List of contributing Authors XI
- Introduction 1
- 1. Lexicon, discourse and cognition: terminological delimitations in the conceptualizations of linguistic taboo 13
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Part I: Construal
- 2. The axiological and communicative potential of homosexual-related metaphors 35
- 3. Metonymy-based euphemisms in war-related speeches by George W. Bush and Barack Obama 55
- 4. Ambiguity and vagueness as cognitive tools for euphemistic and politically correct speech 79
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Part II: Cultural Conceptualization
- 5. Old age revolution in Australian English: Rethinking a taboo concept 99
- 6. Taboo subjects as insult intensifiers in Egyptian Arabic 117
- 7. Emotion concepts in context: Figurative conceptualizations of hayâ ‘self-restraint’ in Persian 141
- 8. A Cognitive Linguistics approach to menstruation as a taboo in Gĩkũyũ 161
- 9. The socio-cognitive aspects of taboo in two cultures: A case study on Polish and British English 179
- 10. The influence of conceptual differences on processing taboo metaphors in the foreign language 201
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Part III: Cognitive Sociolinguistics
- 11. Why do the Dutch swear with diseases? 225
- 12. Calling things by their name: Exploring the social meanings in the preference for sexual (in)direct construals 245
- 13. The perception of the expression of taboos: a sociolinguistic study 269
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Part IV: Interdisciplinary Approaches
- 14. Scrupulosity, sexual ruminations and cleaning in Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder 293
- 15. Swearing as emotion acts 311
- Index 329
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword V
- Table of contents IX
- List of contributing Authors XI
- Introduction 1
- 1. Lexicon, discourse and cognition: terminological delimitations in the conceptualizations of linguistic taboo 13
-
Part I: Construal
- 2. The axiological and communicative potential of homosexual-related metaphors 35
- 3. Metonymy-based euphemisms in war-related speeches by George W. Bush and Barack Obama 55
- 4. Ambiguity and vagueness as cognitive tools for euphemistic and politically correct speech 79
-
Part II: Cultural Conceptualization
- 5. Old age revolution in Australian English: Rethinking a taboo concept 99
- 6. Taboo subjects as insult intensifiers in Egyptian Arabic 117
- 7. Emotion concepts in context: Figurative conceptualizations of hayâ ‘self-restraint’ in Persian 141
- 8. A Cognitive Linguistics approach to menstruation as a taboo in Gĩkũyũ 161
- 9. The socio-cognitive aspects of taboo in two cultures: A case study on Polish and British English 179
- 10. The influence of conceptual differences on processing taboo metaphors in the foreign language 201
-
Part III: Cognitive Sociolinguistics
- 11. Why do the Dutch swear with diseases? 225
- 12. Calling things by their name: Exploring the social meanings in the preference for sexual (in)direct construals 245
- 13. The perception of the expression of taboos: a sociolinguistic study 269
-
Part IV: Interdisciplinary Approaches
- 14. Scrupulosity, sexual ruminations and cleaning in Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder 293
- 15. Swearing as emotion acts 311
- Index 329
