Mëranao Swear Words: Gender and Cultural Identity in Profanity

Abstract

Abstract

This ethnographic study investigates the Mëranao swear words used by men, women, and homosexuals in Marawi City. Data from ten informants were analyzed employing critical discourse analysis. It identifies and examines the many aspects of Mëranao cursing, including the emotions and reasons behind them. Swear words vary among Mëranao men, women, and homosexuals. Firstly, it was revealed that swear words such as: myabuno ka (may you get killed) and kiniyowan ka si ina ka (fuck your own mother) are the harshest curses for men since the former touches the killing issue in the Mëranao society and the latter shows disrespect to their mothers. Secondly, women loathe swear words such as: myawit ka kambawata (may you die during childbirth), datla (flirt), “takyo” (whore), and darwaka(immoral) since they question their chastity and femininity. Thirdly, homosexuals find kyamorkaan ka o Allah (May God punish you) discriminating as it makes them feel sinful and unaccepted in the society. Repetition of the swear word or phrase, such as tingga- tinggas and myabuno-buno instead of tininggas and myatinggas double the severity of cursing. Homosexual slangs such as shundu and myatirifud and other euphemisms are becoming more prevalent among Mëranaos including men and women since they find it non- offensive, particularly when they use swear words for stylistic expression. From these, it can be said that notions of swearing are shaped by the gender of the participants. Contextualizing profanity also entails the understanding of culture and religion which both play a major part in the identity of the Mëranaos.