Taboo Words in Supernatural Television Series Season 12

Abstract

Taboo words are usually eluded to verbalize because they are perceived as impolite, inappropriate, disruptive, disrespectful, immoral, injurious, even dangerous (Battistella, 2005:75). However, Jay (2009:155) clarifies that the use of taboo may not totally be offensive when it is employed to show social commentary or to use in group talking. This antithetical ideas interest the researchers to investigate deeply about the use of taboo words in Supernatural Television Series Season 12 since most characters frequently mention taboo words. Additionally the use of taboo in this television series seems to lose their offensiveness superficially. Operating some functions of taboo words proposed by Wardhaugh (2006) and some influential social factors by Holmes (2013), this research results that contempt function performing insult and annoyance is dominantly found. Further, the use of taboo words in this television series is not accepted as inappropriate or offensive words since the interlocutors’ relationship toward the speaker is close socially and it is uttered in group talking. This finding attests that under certain social condition the use of taboo can be perceivable.