Ôèëîëîãè÷åñêèå íàóêè/7 ßçûê,
ðå÷ü, ðå÷åâàÿ êîììóíèêàöèÿ
Golodnaya V.N.
Nevinnomyssk Institute of
Economics, Management and Law, Russia
THE USAGE OF THE LEXEME “CUNT” IN
POSITIVE CONTEXTS
The
usage of negative words and phrases in positive contexts (such as expressing
praise, admiration, affection and others) is to be observed both in literature
and every day speech. We would like to apologize to those readers who may feel
uncomfortable seeing the most offensive English word in print. The main reason
it has been chosen for this research is an attempt to reveal its positive
semantic potential. If even the most offensive word in the language can obtain
a positive meaning in certain contexts the other words of this kind whose
negative potential is much weaker are sure to have positive meanings, too.
“Cunt” is undoubtedly considered to be the
most offensive word in English speaking countries. Its meanings and usage have
been explored by rather a small number of scholars, such as M. Gressor, G.
Greer (in their studies the meaning of “cunt” is considered from the feminist
point of view) [4;5]; K. Allan and K. Burridge (their works are mostly devoted
to the difference in meaning and usage between “cunt” and its less offensive
and neutral synonyms)[1]; J. Sanders and W. Robinson, D. Cameron (their studies
are aimed at determining “male” and “female” explications in the usage of
“cunt”)[9;2]; A. Montagu (her research is devoted to the emotive meanings of
“cunt”)[8] and some others.
As far
as we are concerned, the most productive research in this field has been done
by A. Kidman who thoroughly analyzes both referential and emotive meanings of
“cunt” and the structure “cunt of a….” in a great variety of contexts used by
Australian speakers[6].
In this
work we would like to make an attempt to analyze and explain the use of “cunt”
in positive contexts. Recessive (hidden) positive meanings of swearwords in
general and “cunt” in particular are regarded as one of the least researched in
semantics while the importance of these meanings can hardly be overestimated as
they demonstrate the variety and complexity of linguistic meanings as well as
the links between social and linguistic changes.
We have
chosen 14 sentences with “cunt” in both referential and emotive meanings all of
which are used in positive contexts. By means of contextual analysis we would
try to determine the reasons for this lexeme’s non-prototypical use and the
conditions of its functioning in positive contexts. We will also touch upon the
meaning and use of the adjective “cunting”.
The positive meaning of “cunt”
(referential) has been touched upon by A. Kidman who concludes that the
negative factor in the meaning of “cunt” (referential) should not be overstated
[6]. We would like to confirm this point of view by the following examples:
1.You have a lovely cunt (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=10&term=cunt
2.Susie has got one
fine cunt (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cunt
3.She’s got one tasty
cunt (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=15&term=cunt
In all of the three sentences the
swearword “cunt” (referential) is used in positive meaning. Due to the positive
semantics of the adjectives “lovely”, “fine”, “tasty” and the intensifier “one”
(examples 2, 3) the modality of the mentioned examples can be described as a
speech act of praise. The question is: “What makes the speakers use the most
offensive English word to express their positive feelings?”
We suggest two
possible answers to this question. First, this phenomenon can be explained by
the dual nature of taboos pointed out by S. Freud, who says that on the one
hand, taboos are something sacred and lofty; on the other hand, they mean
something mysterious, dangerous, prohibitive and unclean [3]. We think that
like any other opposites these two meanings of taboo are in the state of
“fight” with each other. At some moment one of them (in our case – positive)
“wins” and dominates the other (in our case – negative).
The
second possible answer lies, to our mind, in the variability of society and
language. Many taboos change with the society and like language as a whole are
dynamic. In many western societies sex is no longer considered to be something
ugly and shameful. It is regarded as a natural and beautiful process.
We
assume that this social change in attitude towards sexual life has led to
certain changes in evaluative associations (from negative to positive ones)
linked with female genitalia (i. e. physical referent of the word “cunt”). In
the examples given above the reason for praise comes from getting physical
pleasure connected with this referent.
According
to some researchers [4;5], an extremely negative meaning of “cunt” (emotive) is
strongly connected with its negative referential meaning. A. Kidman, however,
argues this claiming that there is no evident link between the disgust towards
female genitalia and a wish to offend somebody [6]. Anyhow, the potential
offensiveness of the lexeme “cunt” (emotive) can not be denied. At the same
time, the existence of examples containing “cunt” (emotive) in positive meaning
can not be denied, either:
4.You’re such a
beautiful cunt (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cunt
5.Honey, you cunt (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=27&term=cunt
6.She is a real cunt, I mean, yeah, she’s a tough broad,
she’s balsy, yah, she’s a cunt (Urban
Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=18&term=cunt
Positive
contextual elements such as the adjective “beautiful” (example 4), the tender
address form “honey” (example 5), the expression “a tough broad” and the
adjective “balsy” which are relevant in the speaker’s evaluative system
(example 6) shift these sentences’ modality to the positive meaning.
If we
consider the lexeme “cunt” (emotive) as a trite metaphor, there is a
possibility that some speakers may not want to accept its negative evaluative
implications and as a result of it will avoid using the lexeme “cunt” (emotive)
as a swearword [7]. We think that this possibility can account not only for the
avoidance of the word “cunt” in some speakers’ speech, but also for its usage
in positive contexts.
Another
set of example introduces the lexeme “cunt” (emotive) as a term of endearment:
7.How are you, old
cunt? (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=2&term=cunt
8.Do any of you cunts
want a drink? (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=16&term=cunt
9.Haven’t seen you
for ages, ya cunt! (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=3&term=cunt
10.
Oh, cunt, how are ya? – Good, mate! (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=11&term=cunt
It
should be mentioned that many other swearwords, for example, “bastard”,
“bitch”, “son of a bitch”, “sod” and others are also used in the function of
friendly address. They show close relations and camaraderie between speakers as
only close friends usually use such words to greet each other.
If we
return to the links in meaning between “cunt” (referential) and “cunt”
(emotive) we can notice that the former stands for the most intimate part of a
body even in comparison with other intimate parts such as breasts or penis.
We
think that in the above mentioned examples the meaning concerning physical
intimacy of “cunt” is somehow transmitted to social intimacy, and in this way
“cunt” becomes a term of endearment between close friends.
Because
of its potential offensiveness the use of the lexeme “cunt” is limited to a
narrow range of contexts. However, there is one more meaning besides those
already discussed we would like to touch upon in our work. The form in question
is “cunting” (adjective) which has nothing to do with the participle form of
the verb “to cunt”:
11.
Do you know what she did? Your cunting daughter! (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cunting
12.
I hit my thumb with that cunting hammer! (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=2&term=cunting
13.
My cunting sewing machine is being ridiculous (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=2&term=cunting
14.
I am cunting mad (Urban Dictionary)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?page=7&term=cunt
It can
be noticed from the examples above that the adjective “cunting” does not bear
any particular meaning of its own. It just adds some emotional emphasis to
nouns (examples 11, 12, 13) or other adjectives (example 14). This feature is
common in many other swearwords used as intensifiers such as “bloody”, “hell”,
“shitload”, “damn”, “fucking” and others. So, it can be concluded that the
emotive meaning of “cunting” (adjective) depends on the meaning (negative or
positive) of the semantic material it emphasizes. The variety of this semantic
material: things (examples 12, 13), people (example 11), attributes (example
14) also speaks in favor of the existence of a hidden positive meaning in the
adjective “cunting”.
The
research on the possible positive meanings of the lexeme “cunt” does not call
for using it everyday life. It is very important to remember that positive meanings
of this lexeme are recessive, or hidden and are revealed only in particular
contexts. This word is to be used with great caution as in the majority of
communicative situations it lands as vulgar and offensive. Before using the
word “cunt” the following factors are to be taken into consideration:
1.relative gender and
age of speaker and listener (the word “cunt” is more likely to land as positive
with people of the same gender and the representatives of a younger
generation);
2.level of closeness
in relations and group-belonging (the word “cunt” is more likely to be
perceived as positive if used among intimate friends or those belonging to the
same social group and having approximately the same social status);
3.psychological
peculiarities of speaker and listener (for many people “cunt” is so strongly
tabooed that they automatically perceive it as negative, regardless of the
context);
4.the country you are
in or from (“cunt” as a term of endearment is much more common in Australia
than in Great Britain).
Positive
meanings of the lexeme “cunt” can be applied in teaching and learning such
subjects as Stylistics, Translation and Interpreting, Cultural Studies and
Cross-Cultural Communication as the meaning and functioning of “cunt” like
other swearwords is determined not only semantically, but culturally, too.
As for
further researches in this field we think that the meaning and functioning of
the adjective “cunting” and the verbs “to cunt” and “to cunt off” should be
given a deeper semantic and sociolinguistic exploration and analysis. We also
suggest that the lexeme “cunt” be studied and analyzed in relation to and
comparison with other swearwords.
Reference List
1.Allan, K., Burridge, K. Euphemism And Dysphemism:
Language Used As Shield And Weapon [Òåêñò] / K. Allan, K.
Burridge. – New York, 1991
2.Cameron, D. Naming of parts: gender,
culture, and terms for the penis among American college students [Òåêñò] / D. Cameron// American Speech. – New York, 1992. –
P. 367-382.
3.Freud, S. Totem and Taboo (Quoted by: A Culture- Based
Analysis About English Taboos. – [Ýëåêòðîííûé ðåñóðñ]. – Ðåæèì äîñòóïà:
http://qdkedaxy.com/Article/ShowArticle.asp?ArticleID=115)
4.Greer, G. The Female Eunuch [Òåêñò] / G. Greer/ – London: MacGibbon and Kee, 1981 [1970]
5.Gressor, M. 1993. The nouvelle vile
(Review of Dale Peck's Fucking Martin and Euridice's f/32 The Second Coming) [Òåêñò] / M. Gressor// Morning Herald. – Sydney, 1993. – P.
19.
6.Kidman, A. How to do Things with Four-Letter Words: A
Study of the Semantics of Swearing in Australia. – [Ýëåêòðîííûé ðåñóðñ]. – Ðåæèì äîñòóïà:
http://www.gusworld.com.au/nrc/thesis/ch-5.htm
7.Neil. Sexual
metaphors and Profanity. – [Ýëåêòðîííûé ðåñóðñ]. – Ðåæèì äîñòóïà:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/24039/7025303
8.Montagu, A. The Anatomy Of Swearing [Òåêñò] / A. Montagu. – New York: Macmillan, 1967
9.Sanders, J., Robinson, W. Talking and not talking
about sex: male and female vocabularies [Òåêñò] / J. Sanders, W.
Robinson// Journal Of Communication. – New York, 1979. – P. 22-30.
Source of Examples
1.
Urban Dictionary. –
[Ýëåêòðîííûé ðåñóðñ]. – Ðåæèì äîñòóïà:
www.urbandictionary.com/
Abstract
The article deals
with the issue of possible positive meanings (both referential and emotive) of
the lexeme “cunt”. Three types of positive contexts with the word “cunt” are
considered and analyzed from both semantic and sociolinguistic points of view.
Key words: swearword, referential
meaning, emotive meaning, hidden positive meaning, trite metaphor,
non-prototypical usage, evaluative system, evaluative associations