The Oxford Handbook of Taboo Words and Language

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Synopsis

This volume brings together experts from a wide range of disciplines to define and describe tabooed words and language and to investigate the reasons and beliefs behind them. In general, taboo is defined as a proscription of behaviour for a specific community, time, and context. In terms of language, taboo applies to instances of language behaviour: the use of certain words in certain contexts. The existence of linguistic taboos and their management lead to the
censoring of behaviour and, as a consequence, to language change and development.

Chapters in this volume explore the multiple types of tabooed language from a variety of perspectives, such as sociolinguistics, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, historical linguistics, and neurolinguistics, and with reference to fields such as law, publishing, politics, and advertising. Topics covered include impoliteness, swearing, censorship, taboo in deaf communities, translation of tabooed words, and the use of taboo in banter and comedy.

Book details

Series:
Oxford Handbooks
Author:
Keith Allan
ISBN:
9780192535702
Related ISBNs:
9780198808190, 9780192535696
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
Pages:
N/A
Reading age:
Not specified
Includes images:
Yes
Date of addition:
2022-12-16
Usage restrictions:
Copyright
Copyright date:
2018
Copyright by:
Oxford University Press 
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Categories:
Language Arts, Nonfiction, Sociology