Dildo
Cunt
Nigger
Cum
Spazdick
Paki
Coon
Fuck
Chink
Retard
Nazi/ Hitler
Madeleine MacCann
Muslim
Monkey
Anal Rimming
Golly Wog
Mong (mongrel)
Mongaloid
Cancer Aids
Fish lips
Muff diver
Satan
Burn in hell
Optimus Mong
Blackie
Prostate tickling
Shit stabber
Rapist
Paedophile
Do you think any of these word as taboos?
Do any of them offend you?
When do these stop being JUST words and become taboos?
What is taboo?
Taboo words are all around us in the 21st century. People of all ages, genders and social classes use swear words to help them express feelings which cannot be expressed by nontaboo words. When one uses these words it can lead to a sense of catharsis and ‘emotional satisfaction’ which cannot be obtained with the use of euphemisms (Jay, 2009, 154).
In the English language, taboos words and phrases come from 8 of catagories:
- Sexual references (cunt, dick, fuck)
- Disgusting objects (shit)
- Blasphemy (oh my god, jesus christ)
- Animal names (bitch, pig, cow)
- Ethical – racial – sexuality – gender slurs (faggot, nigger, blackie)
- Physiological or social deviations (retard, spazdick, whimp)
- Ancestral allusions (son of a bitch)
- Substandard vulgar terms (fart face)
(Jay, 2009, 145).
When taboo words are used, the speaker has carefully analysed the social situation and the company they find themselves in to assess which words are suitable in the given circumstances. Pinker (2007) cited in Vingerhoets et al. (2013, p.289) ‘distinguishes at least five different ways of swearing (1) descriptively (Let’s fuck), (2) idiomatically (It’s fucked up.), (3) abusively (Fuck you, you motherfucker!!), (4) emphatically (This is fucking amazing!), and (5) cathartically (Fuck!!)’.
Some words are seen as ‘more taboo’ that others. Shit is heard regularly in everyday life to express a sense of shock or anger but cunt is rarely uttered in a public space. There is therefore, a scale of taboo words with phrases like oh my god, wank and shit and one ends and nigger, spazdick and cunt at the other.
Swearing and the use of taboos can also be placed on ‘a continuum from unconscious/ automatic to fully conscious/ controlled’ (Jay, 2009a in Vingerhoets at al., 2013, p.289). When stress is released or pain is felt an automatic response is uttered which can give a sense of catharsis. A conscious and controlled use of taboos and swearing may give a negative (or positive) response from those around the swearer. Swearing often reflects negatively on the swearer and is associated with lower status and lower classes. In contrast to this, swearing can, in some social groups, elevate the swearers reputation and create a sense of solidarity within these groups.
We use swear words for a number of reasons. We can express feelings; we can offend; we feel a release after using them; we can tell jokes and make self-derogatory comments in order to level a playing field in a social situation and we can use profanities in passing comment (that hat is so fucking cool). The ways in which we use taboo words have positive, inconsequential and negative outcomes (Jay, 2009, 155).
We aim for our performance to be neither, positive, negative or inconsequential. But as medium to decontextualize the words seen as taboo by society.
Can these words ever be decontextualized?
In order to remove these words from the taboo context, we want to create a space that is safe and allows these words, and their meanings, to be relearnt. To do this we will be using a space similar to that of a children’s play area which is colourful, friendly and inviting. When we are children ‘we learn not to use [taboos] when we are punished by caregivers’ (Jay,2009, 153). Our performance is juxtaposing this idea as we encourage our audience to say these words and to experiment with their sound. We want to create a space which is judgement free and allows everyone in the space to play with these words.
The performance space and content will feel fragmented because the social-setting of the piece contrasts with the subject matter. This is purposeful as it develops the concept of these words being constructed form the innocent letters of the alphabet.
In order to test our performance and concept we have shown a small snippet of the performance to members of our class. We received mixed feedback; which was to be expected. Some people really enjoyed the performance and the intimacy of it, whereas others didn’t enjoy it and found the whole situation uncomfortable. The contrasting reactions to the piece emphasis the personal relation we have to taboo words and how each individual views their offensiveness.
The verbalisation of these words feel more taboo that the visual of them being written down. When written they do not offend me as I view them as a collection of letters, just like any other word which can be skimmed passed. When spoken they have a different effect altogether and have the ability to shock and take people by surprise. They can, when verbalized, be forced upon a person, but when written, an individual can choose to ignore them. Through this performance I aim to challenge my perception, along with the audiences perception, of taboo words and what they mean.
‘We grew up in a culture where we quickly learned that swear words are the words we have to know, but we cannot say them (Jay,2009, 157). This performance will allow these words to be said and experimented with in a safe and friendly environment.
Works cited
Jay, T. (2009) The Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(2) 153-161.
Vingerhoets, J.J.M., Bylsma, L.M., De Vlam, C. (2013) Swearing: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Psychological Topics, 22 (2) 287-304.