An Analysis of Swearwords used by Instagram Users

Abstract

The current study deals with swearwords used by Instagram users. This research aims to find out the swearwords classfications (its function and theme), pragmatic functions of the swearwords used, and the most dominant function, theme, and pragmatic use of wearing. The writer has found fifty data taken from both Instagram users’ captions and comments on celebrities’ photos. The writer analyzes swearing types found on Instagram using Ljung’s swearing function and theme. After analyzing the swearwords using Ljung’s categories the writer would like to discuss the pragmatic of the swearwords used by using Trudgill and Andersson’s category. The writer found twelve themes in swearwords function from fifty data. There are curse (4 %), adjectives of dislike (10 %), modal adverbial (2%), name calling (24%), noun supports (10%), affirmation (12%), adjective intensifier (12%), emphasis (6%), interjection (8%), expletive interjection (8%), literal meaning (2%), and anaphoric use of epithets (2%). There are six categories of swearwords theme used; sexual activities (48%), scatological theme (20%), religious theme (16%), ancentors theme (4%), animal theme (20%), and prostitution theme (2%). There are four categories in pragmatic use of swaerwords on Instagram; expletive swearing, abusive, humorous, and auxiliary. There are fourcategories of pragmatic use of swearwords used in Instagram; expletive swearing (6%), abusive swearing (18%), humorous swearing (22%), and auxiliary swearing (68%). The most dominant function of swearwords is name-calling with twelve occurrences and 24% percentage. The most dominant theme used in swearing words data taken is sexual activities with 24 occurrences and 48% percentage. The most dominant pragmatic use of swearing is auxuliary swearing with 34 occurences and 68% percentage.