Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development
Editor and Book Reviews Editor: John Edwards (St Francis Xavier University, Canada)
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Volume: 25 Number: 2 Page: 204–222
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The Emotional Force of Swearwords and Taboo Words in the Speech of Multilinguals
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Jean-Marc Dewaele
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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.
Keywords: MULTILINGUALISM, PERCEPTION OF EMOTION, SWEARING
© 2004 Multilingual Matters
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