Abstract
This ethnographic paper deals with the expression of profanity in Cebuano and Bahasa Sug. Data has shown that various profanities in these two languages are based on religion, sex, effluvia, and assault to the “faceâ€. Spanish and Arabic loanwords are manifested in Cebuano and Bahasa Sug, respectively, due to religion. Sex-based profanities, effluvia, and profanities against the “face†are expressed using the indigenous languages. It is noteworthy that Cebuano has more expressions of profanity compared to Bahasa Sug. For the Christian Cebuanos, uttering profanity is more of a pardonable venial sin in contrast to the unpardonable mortal sin. For the Muslim speakers of Bahasa Sug, Islam is a way of life which goes strongly with the observance of adat, the customary laws. Hence profanity among speakers of Bahasa Sug is sanctioned by the Islamic faith and declared haram, religiously forbidden.Key words: profanity, blasphemy, sex, taboo, effluvia, Cebuano, Tausug, haram, adat
Highlights
Profanity, in its different manifestations, is always frowned at and is often labelled taboo in various societies
This paper argues that the religions of Christianity and Islam play the role of the lexicalization of some profanities in the languages of Cebuano and Bahasa Sug, respectively
Such influence of lexicalized profanity is reflected in the incorporation of loanwords and religious terms coming from Spanish for Cebuano language and Arabic for Bahasa Sug
Summary
In its different manifestations, is always frowned at and is often labelled taboo in various societies. With words expressing profanity being taboo, social pressure makes members of the society resort to the use of euphemism due to censorship. Language, which functions for communication, has its lexical provisions to be used when conservative societies require it to lessen the gravity of offensiveness of profanity As such euphemism is devised to circumvent the repressive nature of censorship and social pressure against profanity (Allan & Burridge, 2006). What is considered taboo in some cultures may not be in the others, and what is considered taboo today may not be taboo tomorrow or in the yesteryears In this ethnographic paper, the working blanket definition of profanity includes cursing, swearing, and all terms and expressions considered taboo, Rodney C Jubilado, Sajed Ingilan & Francisco Perlas Dumanig vulgar, lewd, blasphemous, pejorative, sexual, among others, which are directly proscribed or prohibited by the society. This research delves into the influence of religion in the use of profanity among speakers of Cebuano and Bahasa Sug from the lexical, phraseological, and sentential levels to the conceptual structures associated with the expressions of profanity
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