Use of English Swear Words by Female Undergraduates: A Study Pertaining to Colombo, Sri Lanka

C.S.Mallikaarachchi

Use of English Swear Words by Female Undergraduates: A Study Pertaining to Colombo, Sri Lanka

Authors: C.S.Mallikaarachchi

Unique Paper ID: 168055
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
PageNo: 1225-1250

Keywords: gender constellation swear words Sri Lankan female undergraduates discourses

Abstract:
Swearing among female undergraduates in the Sri Lankan context is becoming normal, although the Sri Lankan culture generally frowns on swearing and focuses on the appropriateness and ethics of language use. This societal phenomenon is understudied in the context of Sri Lanka, and little is known about why, especially female undergraduates, swear the common swear words used, their chosen discourses, the gender constellation of swearing, and their viewpoints on swearing. This study was conducted on 45 female undergraduates from three Colombo, Sri Lanka, universities. The undergraduates were selected using the random sampling method to investigate their swearing behaviour in English. Data was collected using a questionnaire, and interviews were conducted with only 6 participants to triangulate the questionnaire findings. The study showed that Sri Lankan female undergraduates who live in Colombo swear regularly using their favourite swearwords, shit, damn, and hell, followed by bitch, fuck, and bullshit. The findings show that swearing functions as a tool to deal with daily life affairs: firstly, to let off steam when experiencing negative emotions, mainly anger and frustration, and secondly, to display solidarity when joking and storytelling with friends. The study shows they swear among both female and male friends, and not with parents and teachers. The study also shows that many female undergraduates like to swear with their friends, as it creates a strong bond and symbolizes friendship. They also believe "English swearing" is only an expression that helps many females show how they feel or, in other words, their emotions, where necessary.

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ISSN: 2349-6002
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
PageNo: 1225-1250

Use of English Swear Words by Female Undergraduates: A Study Pertaining to Colombo, Sri Lanka

Available:https://ijirt.org/Article?manuscript=168055

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