Types and Functions of Taboo Words in The Babysitter: Killer Queen
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Abstract
This study examined the use of taboo words in The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020), a horror-comedy film, focusing on the types and the functions of taboo words used by teenage characters. For types of taboo words, the researchers used the framework from Battistella (2005), and for the functions, the analysis was based on those presented by Wardhaugh (2006). The data revealed 92 occurrences of taboo words in the film, and the results showed that the most common type found is obscenity, followed by epithet, vulgarity, and profanity, respectively. The main functions of taboo language included showing contempt, drawing attention, being provocative, reacting with disbelief, and intensifying the meaning or feeling. These findings reflected the rebellious attitudes of the teenage characters who used strong language to express defiance and exaggerate emotions in extreme situations. However, there was no use of taboo language to mock authority, suggesting the characters focused more on surviving chaos than directly challenging authority.
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References
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