Taboo language across the globe: A multi-lab study
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Published:2024-05-09
Issue:4
Volume:56
Page:3794-3813
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ISSN:1554-3528
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Container-title:Behavior Research Methods
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Behav Res
Author:
Sulpizio SimoneORCID, Günther Fritz, Badan Linda, Basclain Benjamin, Brysbaert Marc, Chan Yuen Lai, Ciaccio Laura Anna, Dudschig Carolin, Duñabeitia Jon Andoni, Fasoli Fabio, Ferrand Ludovic, Filipović Đurđević Dušica, Guerra Ernesto, Hollis Geoff, Job Remo, Jornkokgoud Khanitin, Kahraman Hasibe, Kgolo-Lotshwao Naledi, Kinoshita Sachiko, Kos Julija, Lee Leslie, Lee Nala H., Mackenzie Ian Grant, Manojlović Milica, Manouilidou Christina, Martinic Mirko, del Carmen Méndez Maria, Mišić Ksenija, Chiangmai Natinee Na, Nikolaev Alexandre, Oganyan Marina, Rusconi Patrice, Samo Giuseppe, Tse Chi-shing, Westbury Chris, Wongupparaj Peera, Yap Melvin J., Marelli Marco
Abstract
AbstractThe use of taboo words represents one of the most common and arguably universal linguistic behaviors, fulfilling a wide range of psychological and social functions. However, in the scientific literature, taboo language is poorly characterized, and how it is realized in different languages and populations remains largely unexplored. Here we provide a database of taboo words, collected from different linguistic communities (Study 1, N = 1046), along with their speaker-centered semantic characterization (Study 2, N = 455 for each of six rating dimensions), covering 13 languages and 17 countries from all five permanently inhabited continents. Our results show that, in all languages, taboo words are mainly characterized by extremely low valence and high arousal, and very low written frequency. However, a significant amount of cross-country variability in words’ tabooness and offensiveness proves the importance of community-specific sociocultural knowledge in the study of taboo language.
Funder
Ayudas Fundación BBVA ANID/PIA/Basal Funds for Centers of Excellence Italian Ministry of University and Research Comunidad de Madrid Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia Spanish Government DFG Emmy-Noether Università degli Studi di Milano - Bicocca
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
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