Language Taboo Expressed in American Comedy Film Deuce Bigalow

ABSTRACT

The writer is interested in analyzing taboo words or utterances expressed by the characters in American comedy film Deuce Bigalow. This study attempted to answer the following research questions: (1) What are the classifications of taboo? and (2) What is the context of situation when the taboos are expressed by all of the characters in the film?
This study is a descriptive qualitative research as it is concerned with the description of taboo words or utterances expressed in Deuce Bigalow film, and the context in which the taboo words are expressed. This research is sociolinguistic study by using ethno methodological theory because in getting the data of taboo word it is focused on analyzing the conversation or dialog of the characters in the film. The data were gathered by watching American comedy film entitled Deuce Bigalow. In order to obtain the valid data, the writer analyzed data through watching the American comedy film Deuce Bigalow, listening carefully for every dialog or conversation to cross check with the script of the film, taking notes of every possible taboo words, and then classified them based on three kinds of taboo that are obscenity, insult, and profanity.
The result of the study showed that the taboo words expressed in the film are classified into taboo obscene related to sexuality, taboo insult referred to verbal and behavioral insult, and the last is taboo profane that mostly related to religion. All these taboo words were expressed in many contexts; in the meeting room, at home, in the office, and mostly in the public area, such as in the beach, parks, and cafe. The most taboo words were uttered by the characters are to express emotion, anger, happiness, and feel amazed of things.
Finally, the researcher suggested to other future researchers who are interested in analyzing the similar topic to be able to develop this study by analyzing another point of view because there are still many elements that have not been analyzed yet, such as taboo behavior or gesture, and taboo on picture.