The Emotional Force of Swearwords and Taboo Words in the Speech of Multilinguals

TLDR

The study examines how multilinguals perceive the emotional force of swearwords and taboo words. Data were collected via a large web questionnaire on bilingualism and emotions. Results show that perceived emotional force of S‑T words is strongest in L1 and declines in later languages, is lower among L1 attriters, higher for naturalistic learners, and is predicted by proficiency, usage frequency, and, for L2, age of onset.

Abstract

This paper investigates the perception of emotional force of swearwords and taboo words (S-T words) among 1039 multilinguals. It is based on data drawn from a large database collected through a web questionnaire on bilingualism and emotions. t-Tests revealed that the perceived emotional force of S-T words is highest in the L1 and gradually lower in languages learned subsequently. Self-reported L1 attriters were found to judge S-T words in their L1 to be less powerful than those who are still dominant in their L1. Participants who learned their language(s) in a naturalistic—or partly naturalistic—context gave higher ratings on emotional force of S-T words in that language than instructed language learners. Self-rated proficiency in a language and frequency of use of language significantly predicted perception of emotional force of S-T words. Age of onset of learning was found to only predict perception of emotional force of S-T words in the L2.