An Analysis Of Taboo Words In Limitless Script Written By Leslie Dixon

This research is aimed at discussing taboo words used in the dialogues of “Limitless” film script. Descriptive qualitative method is used to analyse data that were taken by www.imsdb.com. The data analysed are classified into types, meaning and its relationship with semantic change, and factors using different theories. A theory from Swan (2009) is chosen to analyse the types of the taboo words. While a theory from Stockwell and Minkova (2001) is chosen to analyse the semantic change of the taboo words. The finding shows that there are 11 types of taboo words consisting of 2 taboo words related to sexual activity, 5 taboo words related to private parts of body, 3 taboo words related to lavatory, and 1 taboo word related to religion. For the semantic change, all of the taboo words in Limitless film script are changed into mixed examples and mostly broadening and pejorative. While factors that cause the characters use taboo words in the “Limitless” film are influenced by psychological factor. The result of the film script of the study regarding of the use of taboo words may give benefit to readers, especially English Department students. Key words: Sociolinguistics, taboo words, types, meaning, semantic change.