CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Local Literature

1. According to Randy David (2016) in this article he mentioned the five different
contexts in which people use taboo language. The first is descriptive use. We curse because
of what we feel. Likeyou’re pissed in a person and the only thing you can do is curse
him.Secondly, the idiomatic one. We use vulgar speech to communicate informality,
familiarity, or coolness.
The third is the emphatic use. As in the first two functions, there are expletives and
taboo words that are sometimes inserted in sentences, lending color and power to the rest of
the statement, to intensify feelings. The fourth is the abusive function. This is where
expletives and taboo words do much of the work for which they were crafted. The last
function of profane language,something about the way our brains are wired induces us to let
out salty expressions like “Dammit” or “Oh, shit” as reflex cries of distress. Cursing and
using profane words are commonplace. Even I engage in these actions in certain
circumstances. According to an article in Time magazine, about 0.7 percent of people curse
daily. The approximation ranges from 0 to 3 percent, not including online cursing and
bashing. Realistically speaking, people will curse in their lifetime due to various reasons.
Speaking profane words is inevitable so there’s no way you gonna stop it. On the other hand,
using profane words may ignite conflict with other people, particularly those to whom the
words are deliberately addressed, or their family members. This act of cursing is commonly
used to hurt a person by directing it toward his or her capabilities, work, appearance, loved
ones, etc.

2. Mangmang. Bobo.Walangutak.Gago.Tanga.Stupid.

These words repetitively appear whenever netizens come across a video, photo, or
post on social networking sites with which they strongly disagree. I have read people bashing
other people whose acts are offensive to them and whose ideas are contrary to theirs. In some
cases, those who comment on these supposedly offensive or contrary posts become united in
claiming that the questioned action or idea is wrong. In cases involving big personalities, a
battle between the supporters and the bashers materializes. And while cursing appears to be
an intrinsic part of human nature, in social networking sites the nature and choice of profane
words with which to attack the opposing side have become quite intense. Using profanity has
become a way for people to “win” an argument.
True, cursing and using profane words are commonplace. Even I engage in these
actions in certain circumstances. According to an article in Time magazine, about 0.7 percent
of people curse daily. The approximation ranges from 0 to 3 percent, not including online
cursing and bashing. Realistically speaking, people will curse in their lifetime due to various
reasons.
3. From cursing, we may be able to gain some confidence, and confidence cultivates a
sense of empowerment. Using profanities, we are able to deliver our message with a little
sense of humor, spirit of confidence, and in the exact manner as these words convey the
necessary emotions understandably.
As a matter of fact, cussing can make you feel as if you can get through
anything. From the studies that Stephens and his co-researchers conducted, they found
that communication using humorous and casual profanities boosts our self-confidence, which
empowers us to develop our personal strengths.
Being confident with who we are means we can show the world our real identity.
Based on Dr. Garry Chick’s theory, an anthropologist from Pennsylvania State University,
swearing attracts and becomes a turn-on for opposite genders because of its creative
characteristic portraying a playful and humorous personality and indicating a low level of
aggression. The appealing charisma and sometimes cursing catches others’ attention.
Dr. Monika Benarek affirms that cursing can build relationships as it allows us to
confidently express ourselves, forming and strengthening bonds.  Among peers, cracking
jokes that may include profanities portrays the joker’s creativity and boldness.  In intimate
affairs, the couples will express their thoughts, swear at each other, but at the end of the
argument, they could solve their problems. And in family situations, our parents may voice
out foul words that are not directed toward us but to our actions. The reprimands may hurt us,
but the guilt will still exist because of the important linkage between children and parents.
Simple events like those mentioned actually have important roles in molding our character. It
gives us lessons on how to interact with specific people based on their differences, and how
we present ourselves accordingly to society.
While cursing has its benefits, it could be difficult for those with pro-Filipino values.
But by showing the real intention, it might lead them toward acceptance. By stepping out of
our comfort zones with maxims of obscenities, we might gain authentic confidence and self-
reliance from our experiences.
Cursing may affect our courteous and polite image as Filipinos with its immoral
peculiarity but then, it is not as evil as we learned from our elders. We have unlocked a door
of opportunity to negate the troublesome image of swearing. The beneficial part of cussing
proves that men can be deceiving or accepting by means of presenting our verbal creativity
fearlessly. But remember, though, to keep it in moderation.

Foreign Literature

1. There are certain words that we are supposed to avoid when having a polite
conversation; swear words are some of them. Swearing was taboo in the middle ages. It was
also generally used by the poorer social class, who were viewed as “uneducated, horrible
people” according to Melissa Mohr, an English literature scholar (2018). The middle class
was wary about its choice of words because it wanted to feel formal and separated from the
lower class.
However, swearing can call one’s professionalism into question, especially in the
workplace environment. Employers believe that swearing demonstrates lack of maturity or
control, also making one seem less intelligent. Speaking in a calm and concise manner leaves
a positive impression on your boss, clients and colleagues. Although it may seem immature,
swearing has become a regular part of life and a common way to express pain (2018).
Based on the article of “Your Tango”(2018) Swearing can have a positive effect to
your body.It can lead you to higher effectiveness and persuasion. According to research
(2018), those who use profanity tend to lie less, as tested on a lie detector exam. In terms of
your mood, researchers also say that letting out a few bad words every now and again can
actually release endorphins, like exercising, and can overall improve your mood. 

2. It has been a long damn year. But you know what studies show may help ease your
pain? Swearing.
In this era of endless squabbling over what is or is not offensive, a corner of academia
has been pursuing the language that we pretty much all agree is not polite — studying the
syntax of sentences like “F-ck you” on the same college campuses where students are being
safeguarded by trigger warnings.
Let some social scientists tell it and the way profanity affects us reveals elements of
our nature as evolutionary beings, I sh-t you not. “If you don’t study this kind of language,”
says psychologist Timothy Jay, “you’re missing an important part of being a human.”
If you’re offended by some of the words you’ve read so far, it’s par for the coarse.
Your sensibilities give these strings of letters their potency. “We’re told that these are words,
early on, that you can’t say. We punish people for saying them,” says cognitive scientist
Benjamin Bergen, who explores profanity-related research in his new book What the F. “So
we’re training kids, socially, that these words are powerful.”

3. You know when you stub your toe and involuntarily utter an expletive? You probably
didn’t give it much thought, but you might have been on to something.
As children we’re taught that cursing, even when we’re in pain, is inappropriate,
betrays a limited vocabulary or is somehow low class in that ambiguous way many cultural
lessons suggest. But profanity serves a physiological, emotional and social purpose — and
it’s effective only because it’s inappropriate.
“The paradox is that it’s that very act of suppression of the language that creates those
same taboos for the next generation,” said Benjamin K. Bergen, author of “What the F: What
Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains and Ourselves.” He calls this the
“profanity paradox.”
“The reason that a child thinks the F-word is a bad word is that, growing up, he or she
was told that it was a bad word, so profanity is a cultural construct that perpetuates itself
through time,” said Dr. Bergen, a professor of cognitive science at the University of
California, San Diego. “It’s an affliction of its own creation.”
Local Studies

1. Profanity of Filipinos might have started during the pre-colonial times or the colonial
times. According to JK Rubian (2010), Filipino Swear words are not pure Tagalog, it is a
combination of Spanish and Filipino and others are translation of the English swear words.
For example, “puta” is Spanish swear words that means whore which is used by the Filipinos.
Other swear words that are derived are as follows; “hiju de puta”(Bicol), “punyeta”, “leche”,
“cono” and “pendejo”.Children thought that using these words would make them cool and
feel grown-up but they never used it in front of a girl, teacher, parent or adult as they still
respect them. (Montemayor, 2011) Meanwhile, Cattleya (2011) explained that it is also use to
add feeling when in an conversation for the person that listens will understand what was
being said but others use this when they are annoyed. Cattleya (2011) had always argued the
issue about bad words, children were taught not to say bad words but she didn’t understand
why people have created it in the first place.
English swear word on the other hand might have influenced us during their
occupation of the Philippines in the past. In the present, they are influencing us through their
movies, music and known personality that uses foul words. (Montemayor, 2011) With the
colonial mentality that the Americans gave us, we also patronize and practice their foul words
together with the combination of Spanish and Tagalog swear words. It can be concluded that
profanity, swearing and cursing have been a natural function of humans beings thus its origin
is also natural.

2. School of Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences Mapua Institute of Technology

A Research Draft on “Vulgarized Filipino Identity: Development of Filipino Profanity”
Introduction Vulgarity of Language Humans express their feelings in many different ways
physically, mentally or verbally. Vulgar words, also known as swearing or cursing exists in
all human languages that perform certain functions as a pain reliever where psychologist
would advise people to swear than to hurt someone or yourself.

However, the overuse of swear words tends to diminish their beneficial effect and will
result in bad moral attitude. Swearing is a widespread but underappreciated anger
management technique. Significance of the Study in this society, there are different views
whether overused of profanity words are good or bad according to the person’s belief. But the
only thing that would clarify whether is good or bad is through extensive research work. Is it
good or bad in the eyes and ears of the people in terms of overusing it? What are its
purposes?

Foreign Studies

1. According to Jay (2009), taboo words are words whose definitions are developed and
sanctioned by institutions that wield power in society. Institutions such as religion institutions
and media houses serve a role in defining what taboo words are. In any given society, as a
child is raised, he or she is often cautioned against the use of taboo words. Parents tend to
advise their children to refrain from using taboo words and profane words because people in
societies tend to interpret taboo words as a bad word and behavior when they are used in
swearing.
 Swearing is an English term that refers to the use of offensive language, especially
when someone is angry. In swearing profane language may be used. Profane language refers
to language that is perceived as disrespectful and derisive. In modern times, swearing can
also be uttering taboo words out of emotional excitement. Taboo words are mostly used in
swearing to put an emphasis on a message that a speaker wants to convey. The emotional
excitement in this context could be anger, frustration or joy. In modern times, swearing draws
from metaphors of disease and dirt. Swearing also makes references to bodily functions such
as sexual activity and excretion. In addition, swearing refers to the use of profane words,
taboo words or words that make reference to animals, religion, scatology, sex, sexual
reproductive organs, diseases, bodily functions and moral decadency in expressing anger,
shock, frustration, surprise, pain or disappointment (Pinker, 2010). According to Ljung
(2010) “swearing is an English terms denoting a particular types of linguistic behavior”. This
English term is usually used in other languages studies with different name such as in French
is jurer or in Swedish is svara (Ljung, 2010:1). Given the fact that this term “swearing” is a
well-known one, this present study will use the name swearing as a term to refer with any
emotive utterances, offensive word and any other taboo words that relate to it.

2. Varying levels and types of colloquial language are considered inappropriate,

especially profanity. Obscene language is one aspect applied to the R-rating for movies and
television shows. Profanity also plays a large role as a deterrent in books; consequently,
profanity is a popular motive for banning books in schools and libraries. What if instead of
turning away from profanity, readers could analyze and understand the reasons and meaning
behind the profane words?

3. The relationship of swearing in respect to personality, religiosity, and social

influences was analyzed in this study. Many assumptions are made about the effects of swear
words and the act of swearing can have on an individual’s personality characteristics and that
exposure first happen from an external source (mass media outlets) rather than a familiar
source ( family member). More specifically, extroverted personality types will be more likely
to engage in the use of profanity, due to their more impulsive nature. Online surveys such as
the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and The Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, and Sensation
Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) were used to collect data from 763 participants. The
results indicated impulsivity was positively correlated with personality characteristics of
neuroticism and swearing acceptance.

Swearing acceptance was negatively correlated with how often participants families
took part in religious activities growing up and was positively correlated with how important
religion is the participant, their family, and religious affiliation. In conclusion, familial
exposure to swearing, which goes against the previous assumptions about swearing.
http://heraldofilipino.com/cursings-unspoken-phenomena/

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