Functions of taboo expressions in YouTube discourse: The case of iDubbbzTV

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study is to identify relationships between usage of taboo expressions in a selected YouTube clip, and how the audience of iDubbbzTV react to these taboo expressions and how they use them themselves. The data used in this study is in the form of spoken and written language which is transcribed and collected from a selected iDubbbzTV YouTube clip and its comment section. This qualitative study of the usage of taboo expressions in YouTube discourse shows that many cases of taboo expressions are used together with jokes and also sometimes serve as call-backs. Some taboo expressions are also used as intensifiers, which can feature in both negative and positive contexts. The study also finds that interpretations of taboo expressions can vary depending on co-text and contextual knowledge.