Browsing by Author "Du Plessis, Nicola"

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    Young South African adults’ attitudes towards the use of obscene language
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Du Plessis, Nicola; Mongie, Lauren; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of General Linguistics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is concerned primarily with the examination of obscene language as it functions in South African society. Specifically, this study aims to discern how young adults perceive obscene language and under which circumstances this type of language is deemed to be socially acceptable. From a theoretical perspective the study is conducted with a pragmatic framework, as the analysis of language use are considered within the context in which it is used. Additionally, it is founded upon the notion of communicative competence, which is understood as the speaker’s ability to use appropriate language in a given context to attain a particular objective. The participants who were engaged in the study were first language English speakers within an age range of 18 to 25. The procedure applied to collect data from the participants involved three stages. The first part entails the completion of a questionnaire in which participants are asked to rate a series of obscenities on a scale of 1 to 10. The second part of the data collection process included qualitative interviews. During the interviews the participants were exposed to hypothetical dialogues and were asked to respond to questions about the obscenities used in these scenarios. The third and final part of the data collection methodology involved a focus group in which they were asked to discuss the use of obscene language within a South Africa context. The results from the study revealed that male participants in this age group were more inclined to harness the use of obscenities as a form of social connection with others. The female participants in this group considered the release of overwhelming emotions as being the most powerful function of the use of obscenities. They regarded the alleviation of negative energy also as a primary function of the use of obscene language. Male participants again, considered the use of obscene language as being predominantly the creation of comedy and humour. The results from the study showed conclusively that the use of racist language is considered as being the most offensive type of obscenity that could be used by participants. The data revealed that most participants avoid the use of obscenities in the presence of their parents and elderly persons. It is evident that participants are aware of the existing differences between the various generations in terms of linguistic preferences.