COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON TABOO WORDS IN HOKKIEN MEDAN AND ENGLISH

Abstract

Using descriptive qualitative approach, this study describes taboo words in English and Hokkian. This study aims to investigate taboo words in Hokkien and English based on Wardhaugh theory and to figure out the similarities and dissimilarities of taboo words by using contrastive analysis.  There are two sources of data, namely: the transcript of the interview and the observation for Hokkien and movie script for English. The result shows there are similarities and dissimilarities between English and Hokkian Dialect. There are six classifications in English and Hokkian Dialect. While in Hokkian Dialect there is one classification of taboo that is not contained in Wardhaugh theory. In addition, there are two additional classifications. The authors suggest further researcher to discuss taboo in other languages.