Taboo words are considered profanity; they usually include swear and offensive words. The correct English consists of words, phrases and rules of their application, which are recognized by society and are actively used in communication and in writing. Correct English is based on literary norms that are fixed both in the consciousness of society and in dictionaries, reference books, textbooks, and regulations. The main feature of correct English is uniformity, the presence of rules for pronunciation and the spelling of words, which are recognized by all native speakers as mandatory. What is especially important is that literary norms are a condition for the stability and unity of the national language. However, the language is flexible, variable and mobile, and the literary norm is not rigidly set. Texts written in an artistic and partly journalistic style allow the use of tabu language if this is due to the goals and objectives of the author. For example, it can be utilized in the speech of characters or in a text close to the vernacular to create a comic effect or atmosphere of a certain historical epoch. However, it is the author’s goal and objectives that play a key role here; it is the strictly reasoned use of taboo vocabulary that will be considered as speaking and communicating in correct English.
With the proper skill of the author, any taboo vocabulary can come to life and make the reader laugh to tears if it is black humor and shake their head admiringly, seeing how the literary hero aptly made a comment in someone’s direction. Therefore, the use of taboo vocabulary is possible within the framework of black humor. However, it should always be appropriate: the use of black humor should occur in order to set the character’s character with obscene words and tint their thoughts with the strokes of individuality. At the same time, the use of taboo vocabulary throughout the text, and not only in the replicas of the characters, will look unethical with an excess of dark humor.
It is not wrong to use taboo language in correct English for the purpose of expression at a certain moment or in order to give a certain characteristic feature to a character with the help of black humor. They bring variety to speech, reviving it, but using a taboo vocabulary is not wrong only if it happens for a specific purpose. For example, the image of a military or jailer in a literary work will not be complete without f-words, and the image of a dark genius will not be complete without dark humor. The proof of this is also the regulation of the use of taboo vocabulary in the field of culture at the state level. Books that contain taboo language are sealed in transparent packaging with the mandatory indication “Contains taboo vocabulary” and the label “18+”; however, they are not prohibited and are freely available for sale, as this is part of correct English. Thus, obscene vocabulary can be used for expressive coloring of the text, and in this case, it is not wrong.
The use of taboo vocabulary is not always discriminatory, denigrating, or racist. In some cases, its use, on the contrary, draws attention to a social problem, making it more noticeable. At the same time, ignoring such offensive vocabulary in the framework of correct English can be considered as silencing serious issues present in society. For example, the book The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas has received numerous literary awards, which indicates the high quality of the language in which the book is written. At the same time, the author repeatedly uses the n-word while being dark-skinned herself. Thus, the author draws attention to the problem, demonstrating racism and discrimination more fully. Thus, it can be concluded that the appearance of a large number of taboo vocabulary is primarily caused by numerous public issues. Ignoring the changing norms of correct English is more discriminatory, denigrating or racist than using a taboo vocabulary to reflect existing social problems.
Index
- F-word –a rude name for sexual intercourse.
- N-word – a person with a dark skin color.