A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF SWEARING IN HEIST

Abstract

Abstract

This research aims to investigate swearing expressions  in Heist. The research mainly seeks to reveal the types and the motivating factors of swearing in Heist. This research is under the principles of sociolinguistics since it is concerned with language and its functions in society. This research employed qualitative method to analyze the utterances  in Heist.  Anderson  and Trudgill’s  theory  is used  as the foundation  for the types of swearing  while Anderson  in  Kajalainen’s  theory  is  used  to  analyze  the  motivating  factors  of  swearing.  The  results  of this research  show  that  firstly,  there  are  four  types  of  swearing  expression  in  Heist,  they  are:  Expletive Swearing (ES), Abusive  Swearing (ABS), Humorous  Swearing (HS), and Auxiliary Swearing (AUS). Secondly, there are three motives of swearing deployed in this movie. Psychological motive encompasses Anger, Surprise, and Frustration  expression.  Second, Social Motive include To Show Identity and To Insult motive. Linguistic motive is about emphasizing the motive of swearing. While Joy and To Amuse Other motives are not found in this movie since the movie belongs to crime and thriller genre which concerns the dissension and conflict of the characters. Thus, from the study, the use of swearing creates and supports the construction of the criminal atmosphere and theme within the context of the movie.

Keywords: sociolinguistics,  swearing, Heist.