Convention, Idiomaticity and Taboo Flashcards
The word: Fuck
- Early attestations also do not suggest the word was taboo.
Later attestations do suggest a change:
- But she gave Proof that she could f–k
The word: Arse
OED describes this as being ‘obsolete in polite use’ – telling us that it was once ok in polite use
Main argument for ‘Taboo words’
- A common misunderstanding is that words are taboo
In fact, it is the concepts themselves that are treated as such. - The association between the word and the denotatum (i.e.the referent) is what makes the word ‘shocking’
Things that are considered taboo:
- Religious Taboos
- Naming at birth
- Speaking of the dead
What happens to some taboo concepts?
- Standards and norms change - Social constraints loosen
What is the phemism theory?
Allen and Burridge describe three types of phemism:
- Orphophemism: ‘straight talking’
- Euphemism: ‘sweet talking’
- Dysphemism: ‘talking offensively’
Examples of phemism?
- Orphophemism: faeces, toilet, menstruate
- Euphemism: poop, loo, have period
- Dysphemism: shit, shithouse
What does phemism have to do with directness?
- Depending on the type of phemism, people may have different intent depending on who they’re speaking too.
- Certain phemisms are more socially acceptable.
What do Allen and Burridge say about phemisms? (quote)
“…in a middle-class environment, one would normally be expected to use the euphemism or orthophemism…”
Ways of doing euphemism?
- Phonetic modification
- Initialisms
- Ambiguity
Phonetic Modification example?
- Jeez! (shortening of Jesus)
Initialisms examples?
- WTF
- The C-word
- The N - word
Ambiguity examples?
- They did it (had intercourse)
- I am unwell (to have ones period)
Euphemisms can change until they become orphophemisms and dysphemisms. How?
- Because they become the standard form, where the meaning is too heavily linked to the word.
Political correctness theorists quotes:
- Described by Chomsky as: ‘a healthy expansion of moral concern’
- Michael Barnard: ‘a dictatorship of the well-meaning and pure of heart’
Whats one argument of political correctness?
- A (well-meaning?) attempt to change the way people use language and in turn people’s attitudes
What is some issues raised about dysphemisms?
- White university basketball coach whose mostly black team ‘allowed’ him to use the term nigga in the same way that they did. He lost his job when overhearers complained.
- Objections by many black people saying that users forget the origins and associations of the oppression.
Disability taboos: main aspects ?
- Disabled is an orthophemism, replacing previous ones like: special, handicapped, crippled that have become mostly euphemisms.
- The charity ‘Scope’ was founded as the National Spastics Society - changed due to societies attitude towards the word as it was commonly used as an insult.
Disability taboos: when did the charity ‘Scope’ change it’s name?
1994
Why is the ‘role of context,’ important?
For example:
- In a medical context, euphemism is avoided
What main theorists can be quoted when describing what a taboo is?
Andersson and Trudgill
What does Andersson and Trudgill say about Taboo ? (quote)
‘Taboo is used to express strong emotions and attitudes’
INCLUDE FACE THEORY ACT - WHOS IT BY?
Brown and Levison
