This paper tackles a sociolinguistic analysis of offensive words uttered by the characters in Astro Boy movie (2009) as one of the children’s cinematic discourses. This research adopts Tagliamonte’s (2012) social variables and Holms’ (2013) social factors and social dimensions. This study aims to examine the social differences in using offensive language, the most recurrent types of offensive words in the selected movie and the functions and motives which lie behind these offensive words. The study proves the dominance of this form of language as a social norm in conversations and the mostly used types of offensive terms are those related to name-calling, verbal violence and insults that are preferred to express negative and aggressive emotions as well as to show intimacy, humor, solidarity and joy. These words are also used to discredit the counterparts and to provoke confrontations between distant participants. |
