第一語言還是第二語言？不同性別的中英雙語者使用粗話時的語言選擇

Abstract

關於語言切換時使用粗話的行為的先前研究主要集中在英語及其他語言上，對中文的關注相對較少，尤其對粗話類型差異的研究更是稀少。本研究旨在透過探討臺灣華語及英語雙語者的粗話使用習慣，並分析影響粗話偏好的三個關鍵因素：粗話類型、語言偏好及受試者性別。本次調查共招募了40名受試者（男20名；女20名），其中10名（男5名；女5名）進一步參與了後續的錄音訪談。研究採用了量化分析及質性分析，包括李克特四點尺度量表調查五種粗話類型的語言偏好以及言談情境完成任務的統計分析，並藉由後續訪談探討參與者使用粗話的動機。研究發現，不同類型的粗話之間存在顯著差異。第二類粗話因其高使用率削弱了禁忌性是受試者最偏好的粗話類型，而第三類由於其嚴重性為受試者最不喜歡的粗話類型。與之前關於粗話及語言偏好的研究一致，受試者在使用具有強烈情感負載的粗話時傾向於使用第一語言，而第二語言因其情感上的疏離性而更受青睞。此外，受試者在言談情境完成任務中表現出對語言一致性的偏好，而非語碼轉換或語碼混合。雖然調查中顯示性別差異不大，但女性更傾向於在言談情境完成任務中進行語碼轉換並避免使用粗話，反映出接受程度及實際應用之間的差異。儘管男性及女性受試者普遍接受女性在公共場合使用粗話的行為，但社會規範仍對女性使用粗話持批判態度。

Previous research on language-switching swearing behaviors has primarily focused on English and other languages, with limited attention given to Mandarin, particularly regarding differences in swearword types. This study addresses that gap by exploring swearing habits of Mandarin-English bilinguals, examining the interactions of three key factors influencing swearing preferences: swearword type, language preferences, and participant gender. A total of 40 participants (20 male, 20 female) were recruited for the questionnaire, with 10 of them (5 male, 5 female) participating in additional recorded interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed, including a four-point Likert scale multiple-choice questionnaire assessing language preferences for five types of swearwords, a statistically analyzed Discourse Completion Task (DCT), and follow-up interviews to explore participants’ motivations behind their swearing habits.The results revealed significant differences among swearword types. Type 2 was the most preferred for emotional expression, as its high frequency reduced its taboo nature, while Type 3 was the least favored due to its perceived severity. Consistent with previous studies on swearing and language preference, participants preferred their first language (L1) for swearwords with greater emotional weight, whereas their second language (L2) was favored for its emotional detachment. Participants also tended to favor language consistency over code-switching or code-mixing in the DCT. Gender differences, although minor in the questionnaire, indicated that females were more likely to code-switch and avoid swearing in the DCT, reflecting a contrast between acceptance of swearing and actual behavior. Although both male and female participants accepted female swearing in public, social conventions still criticized women for engaging in this behavior.