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Profanity: History
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Profanity refers to words and expressions that are conventionally regarded as offensive, taboo, or socially inappropriate within a particular linguistic and cultural context [1]. It may involve references to bodily functions, sexuality, religion, or other culturally sensitive domains, and its perceived offensiveness varies according to social norms, speaker relationships, communicative settings, and historical change [1][2]. In linguistics, profanity is examined in relation to taboo language, swearing, pragmatics, and the social functions of emotionally marked expressions, including the ways their use conveys affect, interpersonal stance, or social affiliation.

  • Profanity
  • Taboo language
  • Swearing
  • Pragmatics

Linguistics, Language Diversity, and Identity • Language and Linguistics • Arts and Humanities • Social Sciences

References

  1. Timothy Jay; The Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words. Perspect. Psychol. Sci. 2009, 4, 153-161, 10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01115.x.
  2. Keith Allan; Kate Burridge. Forbidden Words; Cambridge University Press (CUP): Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2006. [CrossRef]
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