Craig Grocott: master’s thesis presentation

Craig Grocott, LLE, University of Bergen, will present his master’s thesis:

Is swearing still taboo?
A cross-linguistic study of the changing ways in which swearing and taboo language is used in English and Norwegian

Time: Friday, June 7th 10:15 – 11
Place: Room 401, HF-building

Abstract:
This thesis examines the use and attitudes towards swearing and other forms of taboo language, such as discriminatory abuse. I first examine what swearing is and the ways in which it is used in both England and Norway. The history of taboo language is also examined, looking at etymology and the gradual change in meaning and attainment of taboo values that some words display. I interviewed a group of 26 English respondents and 26 Norwegian respondents with a view to demonstrating a changing attitude in the way in which taboo language is perceived. The quantitative data and the qualitative interview responses show that, among those of a student age group at least, discriminatory language has increased in how offensive people find it compared to older research, indicating that more traditional forms of swearing, such as those in the religious domain are becoming less taboo, indicating a changing social context.