The Grammatical Versatility Of Taboo Terms
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2009
Published In
Studies In Language
Abstract
Taboo terms in certain English expressions and constructions are intensifiers, which have spread as a unit over time to various syntactic positions (Hoeksema & Napoli 2008). Here we look at the pragmatic coherence that has allowed such semantically disparate terms to be grammaticalized as a unit. We examine language using taboo terms in English with comparisons to Dutch, Italian, and other languages. The terms studied here regard religion, disease, sex, and bodily excretions. They exhibit common characteristics with cross-linguistic variation.
Recommended Citation
Donna Jo Napoli and J. Hoeksema.
(2009).
"The Grammatical Versatility Of Taboo Terms".
Studies In Language.
Volume 33,
Issue 3.
612-643.
DOI: 10.1075/sl.33.3.04nap
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-linguistics/27