Taboo language spoken by Javanese speakers in Tulungagung

ABSTRACT

Taboo language exists in most cultures. Tabooed words are generally culture specific and related to bodily functions or aspects of culture. Such words are avoided, considered inappropriate, and loaded with affective meaning. Consequently, those who express taboo words and phrases will be punished. Tulungagung is one of the districts in east Java in which Javanese language is used as the means of communication. In Tulungagung, taboo language can also be found. It was influenced by the sociocultural background of Tulungagung society. Research on taboo language in Tulungagung, however, has not been conducted so far.

The study was conducted to investigate taboo language in Tulungagung. The research problems were formulated as follows : (1) What words and phrases are considered taboo in Tulungagung, (2) How are the taboo words and phrases classified, (3) Where is taboo language expressed, and (4) Why is taboo language is expressed.

This research used a sociolinguistic approach and its design was descriptive qualitative. The data were taboo words and phrases spoken by Javanese Speakers in Tulungagung. The data were collected through observation and interview, and were then classified based on Bloomfield’s theory. Next, the data was analyzed in the following steps : identifying taboo words and phrases, classifying taboo words and phrases into supernatural beings, obscene words, ominous speech, animal and excretion, comparing the data with the theory from the book sources, drawing a conclusion as the final.

The findings show that: (1) The words and phrases which are considered taboo include words or phrases related to invisible spirits, sexual organs or sexual intercourse, names of animals, excretion, insanitary words. (2) Taboo words and phrases can be classified into : (a) supernatural beings, (b) obscene words, (c) ominous speech, (d) animal, (e) excretion. (3) Taboo language is expressed in the market, in sugar mill, and in coffee stand. (4) There are some factors which cause the use of taboo language: (a)lack of understanding of Tulungagung culture, (b)emotion, (c)the impact of modem technology, and (d)setting.

The writer’s suggestion is addressed to the youth and researchers. The Tulungagung youth is responsible for the development, maintenance of sociocultural values of Tulungagung consistently so that they can behave, communicate, and interact appropriately and properly. For the researchers, the same areas of research could be replicated.