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Taboo language across the globe: A multi-lab study
Simone Sulpizio1,2, Fritz Günther3, Linda Badan4
1Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy. simone.sulpizio@unimib.it.
Behavior Research Methods
|May 9, 2024
Summary
Taboo words are universal linguistic behaviors, but their characteristics vary across cultures. This study analyzed taboo language across 13 languages, revealing common traits like low valence and high arousal, alongside significant cross-country differences.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Taboo language is a universal linguistic behavior with significant psychological and social functions.
- Existing scientific literature poorly characterizes taboo language, with limited exploration across diverse languages and populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a comprehensive database of taboo words across multiple linguistic communities.
- To semantically characterize taboo words based on speaker perceptions.
- To investigate cross-cultural variations in taboo language.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Collected taboo words from 1046 participants across 13 languages and 17 countries.
- Study 2: Rated taboo words on six dimensions by 455 participants per language.
- Utilized cross-country comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- Taboo words universally exhibit extremely low valence and high arousal.
- Written frequency of taboo words is consistently very low across languages.
- Significant cross-country variability was observed in the perceived tabooness and offensiveness of words.
Conclusions:
- Taboo language shares core psychological characteristics globally (low valence, high arousal).
- Sociocultural context critically influences the perception and use of taboo words.
- Future research must account for community-specific knowledge in taboo language studies.
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