Bilinguals ' Reaction to taboos: a Case Study on Persian Speaking Azari Natives

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate professor, linguistics department, Alzahra University
2 M.A. student in linguistics, linguistics department, Alzahra University
Abstract
Bilingualism and its characteristics, as well as differences of conveying feelings in first and second language, among bilinguals have long been challenges for sociolinguists. Most bilinguals state that expressing their feelings through first language helps them convey exactly what they intend to, and that saying or hearing taboos in their first language bear more mental reaction. This study aims to briefly review the concept of linguistic taboo as a culturedependent element and further discuss the differences of revealing feelings regarding taboos in first and second languages. In this study 40 female students, BA or MA participated, all Turkish- Persian bilinguals, originally from Turkish areas of Tabriz, Zanajn,
Ardebil, and Hamedan. This article seeks an answer to this question that whether expressing taboos in first language (Turkish) imposes more mental burden on speaker/hearer if compared to second language or otherwise; or it makes no difference.

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