A Socio-Psycholinguistic Study on Taboo Words in Sinhala Community.

Abstract

Taboo words are defined as the substandard words, which are not usually tolerated in formal discourses. Therefore they are not used in standard writings or in public spheres." Taboo words are used to communicate ideas in some sub cultures as well as among intimates. Present, some people utter taboo words at official meetings and people in higher and lower societies in some contexts. Considering conflict of two different languages, some words are seen as taboo words in other languages. The objectives of this research are to enumerate what situations that people are controlled by taboo words and what situations that makes problems and what the psychological reality for these conditions. This study has been limited to impermissible taboo words used by people. Through observations, interviews and administering questionnaires to male and female subjects, data were gathered. Further, the collected data was classified according to the situational factors, and psychological factors and different age levels, social status, gender were concerned under those factors. In addition, it was concerned how ethnic conflict affect taboo words and how people behave at those situations by observations and using questionnaires. Family background affects using taboo words as a habit of some people and mostly people use them after adolesons stage especially males. Women who live in prison, shanties and in the prostitute's society often use taboo words as a habit. Taboo words are used to show the power and make people afraid, people who are in angry situations and just to be enjoyed. Some misunderstanding problems are appeared in the ethnic conflict situations. In concluding all the above, a vast majority do not accept using taboo words to communicate within the society for any matter. This investigation presents insight on the psychological underpinnings and psychosocial behaviour of those who use taboo words. This is also only a variety of a language, which is acceptable, or not.