Programme: accepted abstracts

Abstract ID: 282

Part of Session 102: Swearing and linguistic impoliteness in social interaction (Other abstracts in this session)

Variation in the perception and self-reported use of English swearwords among L1 and LX users of English

Authors: Dewaele, Jean-Marc; Slivova, Lucie
Submitted by: Dewaele, Jean-Marc (Birkbeck, University of London, United Kingdom)

Jay (2009) compares swearing to using the horn on one’s car, which can be used to signify a number of emotions. Recent research into swearing in foreign languages (LX) shows that LX swearwords tend to be perceived as less emotionally powerful compared to swearwords in the L1, and used less frequently by multilinguals (Dewaele, 2004a, b). Even multilinguals who are equally proficient in their L1 and an LX, and use both languages with equal frequency prefer the L1 for swearing (Dewaele, 2010a, 2011a). Multilinguals who had learnt a LX through classroom instruction only and who had a later start in the acquisition of the LX tended to use that language less frequently for swearing than participants who had used the LX in authentic interactions and were early starters. General frequency of use of a LX was positively correlated with language choice for swearing in the LX (Dewaele, 2010b). A study into the usage of French swearwords by LX users showed it to be unrelated to gender, age nor education level, but is linked to the amount of exposure and interaction in French (Dewaele, 2011b).

Previous studies only considered swearwords as global categories, but did not include any specific swearwords. It is fair to assume that the perception of offensiveness of specific swearwords in a particular language is variable for both L1 and LX users, and shaped by a number of sociobiographical variables.

We will thus investigate differences in perception and self-reported use of 30 English swearwords (ranging from highly offensive to mildly offensive) among 38 L1 English users and 57 advanced foreign language (LX) users of English. Data were collected through an on-line questionnaire.

Statistical analyses showed that the English LX users were less sure of the meaning of a third of the words but they judged more than half the swearwords to be more offensive than the L1 users. The LX users reported using significantly fewer highly offensive swearwords and more mild swearwords compared to the L1 users. We will explore possible reasons for these patterns and look for the effect of linguistic history and proficiency of the LX users’ ratings.

References:

Dewaele, J.-M. (2004a) Blistering Barnacles! What language do multilinguals swear in?! Estudios de Sociolingüística 5, 83-106.

Dewaele, J.-M. (2004b) The emotional force of swearwords and taboo words in the speech of multilinguals. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development 25, 204-223.

Dewaele, J.-M. (2010a) ‘Christ fucking shit merde!’ Language preferences for swearing among maximally proficient multilinguals. Sociolinguistic Studies 4 (3), 595-614.

Dewaele, J.-M. (2010b) Emotions in Multiple Languages. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Dewaele, J.-M. (2011a) The differences in self-reported use and perception of the L1 and L2 of maximally proficient bi- and multilinguals: A quantitative and qualitative investigation. International Journal of the Sociology of Language 208, 25-51.

Dewaele, J.-M. (2011b) Variation in self-reported frequency of use of French swearwords among L2 and L3 users of French. In F. Martineau & T. Nadasdi (eds.) Le français en contact: Hommages à Raymond Mougeon. Quebec: Presses de l’Université Laval, pp. 87-116.

Sociolinguistics Symposium 19

Programme: accepted abstracts

Variation in the perception and self-reported use of English swearwords among L1 and LX users of English