The use of swear words among university students / Jayanthi Sinnathamby

• Main Author: Jayanthi , Sinnathamby
• Format: Thesis
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: P Philology. Linguistics
• Online Access: http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/15580/1/Jayanthi.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/15580/2/Jayanthi_Sinnathamby.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/15580/

Swearing has always been regarded as an expression of negativity. Swear words can be defined as language used offensively and can be sexist, racist, homophobic and masochistic. This study aims to examine the types of swear words used by university students and how they use these words to accustom themselves in a new environment. A mixed method was employed in this study using online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Research data were limited to English and Malay languages, with swear words listed out by university students relating to certain contexts. Findings show that swear words used by university students fit into epithets, profanities, vulgarities, and obscenities as outlined in Battistella’s (2007) Model of Taboo words Categorisation. 53.5% of respondents state that they are not affected by this usage either by others or themselves. Respondents also believe that using euphemisms, gestures, grawlixes and emojis during social discourse is not swearing. 99% of respondents were conversant in English and this paved the way to the majority of them using an equal number of English and Malay swear words. They are clear about the context and circumstances in which to use swear words. These findings indicate that usage of swear words among students has become normalised and a part of everyday life and provide a mode to accustom themselves in a new environment.