A SOCIOLINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION OF TABOO LANGUAGE USE AND ATTITUDES AMONG ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDENTS AT UIN SUMATERA UTARA

Abstrak

This study investigates the use of taboo language and students’ attitudes toward taboo expressions among English Education students at UIN Sumatera Utara. Taboo language is a sociolinguistic phenomenon that reflects the interaction between language, culture, and society. With the increasing influence of digital media, students are frequently exposed to taboo expressions through social media platforms, films, television series, online videos, and other forms of English-language communication. This study employed a quantitative descriptive research design. Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed to 30 English Education students at UIN Sumatera Utara. The findings reveal that students are highly exposed to English taboo language, particularly through digital media. However, most respondents reported using taboo language only in informal situations and avoiding it in academic or formal settings. The study also found that students generally recognize the importance of understanding taboo language as part of English language learning while acknowledging that its use should be adjusted according to social and cultural norms. Furthermore, students perceive the acceptability of taboo language as dependent on context, interpersonal relationships, and cultural background. These findings suggest that English Education students possess a relatively high level of sociolinguistic awareness regarding the appropriate use of taboo language in different communicative situations.