| الوصف: |
This study probes deep into the linguistic taboos and euphemisms in the speech of young women within Batna community and looks at how they relate to the sociocultural elements that influence language usage. Employing a qualitative approach, the study involves 45 female English-major students from the University of Batna 2, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection methods include systematic observations, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. The results reveal that taboo categories include sexuality, unclean places, metaphysical entities, admiration expressions, fatal diseases, and context-dependent animal names. They also demonstrate that the participants tend to avoid the direct usage of these taboos, opting instead for euphemistic substitutions. These substitutions encompass a variety of linguistic strategies, including religious terms, jargon, Modern Standard Arabic expressions, non-offensive conventional phrases, loanwords, metaphors, and softeners. The study underscores the role of religious and sociocultural factors in determining taboos and highlights gender disparities in their usage, with societal norms making taboos more socially acceptable for men than women. This research contributes to sociolinguistics by shedding light on language dynamics within a specific cultural context and elucidating the intricate relationship between language, culture, and gender . |