The Treatment of Taboo and Offensive Words in Isichazamazwi Sesindebele (ISN): an Analysis

Abstract

This paper identifies and analysis taboo and offensive words in the Isichazamazwi sesiNdebele henceforth referred to as the ISN. Focus is on these headwords as they are seen as requiring special attention in their definitions because they tend to be sensitive to the user. This is linked to the interrelationship that exists between language and culture. The paper seeks to find out how these words have been defined in the view of their being sensitive. Culturally, as has been highlighted above, the selection and definition of these need special consideration. The problem that therefore arises is how these should be treated in dictionaries which are designed for public usage, they being a guardian of the moral and ideological values of the society on one hand and being a collective knowledge of the language on the other hand.