Types and functions of English taboo words used in Edmund White?s A Boy?s Own Story - Digital Collection of Petra Christian University

Taboo words are generally offensive and considered inappropriate for
being used in most occasions. However, people, although they were considered as
well educated persons, still used taboo words in some occasions. This research
attempted to find out the types and the functions of taboo words mostly used by
the main character in this novel. In conducting this research, the writer used a
qualitative-descriptive approach and she became the instrument that collected and
analyzed the data from A Boy?s Own Story novel. The writer analyzed the taboo
words that were spoken by Edmund and his gay friends. In the analysis, the
occurrences of taboo words can be classified based on the types such as (one?s)
mother in law, certain game animal, sex, death, excretory, bodily functions,
anatomical and religious matters and also based on the functions such as create
discredit, discredit, provoke violent confrontation, endearment, the create of
strong personal identification and provide catharsis. The writer also analyzed the
function of taboo words that was uttered by Edmund and his gay friends. After
finishing the analysis, all the occurrences of taboo words were put into the
prepared table based on the classification of types and functions criteria. In
conclusion, the writer concluded that Edmund mostly used taboo words when he
was talking to those who had intimate solidarity with him and in the informal
setting. The taboo words used by Edmund mostly occurred when the
conversations was talking about emotional pressures. Furthermore, the taboo
words used by Edmund White were mostly functioned to discredit for reducing
his emotional pressures and to endear for someone who had close relationship
with him.

Contributor
• (76-012) Josefa Juniarti Mardijono
• (94-013) Julia Eka Rini

Category
s1 - Skripsi/Undergraduate Thesis (Program Studi Sastra Inggris S-1)

Rights
Undergraduate Thesis No. 02011748/ING/2008; Stefani Wahyudi (11403053)
The resource(s) is/are owned by the Creator/Contributor.Reproduction & distribution for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that the credit for the Creator/Contributor and the source are explicitly stated,and no alteration are made

FILE(s)