Pushing the boundaries: an evaluation of the use of profanity and its relevance in Indian stand-up comedy

Abstract

Stand-up comedy performances in India are undergoing significant changes, marked by transformations in linguistic choices. One noteworthy shift is the inclusion of profane words in the repertoire of Indian stand-up comedians. Given the context that obscene and vulgar content in a public performance may be punishable by imprisonment under Indian laws, this development demonstrates a crucial cultural shift in a conservative society like India’s. This study employed critical discourse analysis to analyse videos (n = 82) of stand-up comedy uploaded on YouTube of Indian stand-up comedians, to understand the content delivery styles and the usage of profanity. The findings revealed that many Indian comedians purposefully incorporated Hindi and English profanity into their stand-up acts, either as an inherent part of their performance style or to amplify the impact of certain portions of their discourse. Interestingly, these videos were also published online without censoring the profanity, indicating a departure from strict self-censorship practices. The results demonstrate the integral role of profanity and its increasing relevance in the discourse of Indian stand-up comedy within the Indian urban subcultural context.