미국 금기어 연구 - 사전에 수록된 금기어를 중심으로

A Study of American Taboo Language: Based on taboo words in American dictionaries

&nbsp;&nbsp;In ancient times, taboo was a religious custom that forbade people to touch, say, or do something became they would be punished by God or the gods. In present-day societies, however, the concept of taboo has really changed into a social custom that certain words, subjects or actions must be avoided became they would make people embarrassed or make them feel resentful towards those who hurt their feelings. Such words, subjects or actions, as might be ejaculated, are the so-called taboo words that are considered socially unacceptable,<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;In American English, imprecation, feces, sex, and unfavorable nicknames of tribes are taboo subjects that have social linguistic features. First of all, the primary meaning of a word is &quot;highly offensive&quot; when its synonyms are not altogether embarrassing. This difference between them provides us with a basic that help&gt; us to distinguish the taboo words from non-taboo words. The primary meaning of a word that has been considered socially acceptable becomes socially unacceptable after it has been used metaphorically for a century, due to changing processes of meaning. Curiously enough, no new taboo words denoting imprecation have been coined in the twentieth century, This gives us information that the power of taboo from totemism has been undermined and used up. American taboo words denoting various human races or tribes might be derived from prejudices and misconceptions. It would be desirable not to me taboo words in that they may give rise to serious misunderstandings among interlocutors.