Gendered Experiences and Perceptions of Taboo Language among Tshivenḓa Speakers: A Sociolinguistic Analysis

Abstract

Taboo language is a socially and culturally regulated form of communication that reflects community values, social norms, and power relations. Although previous studies have examined linguistic taboos across cultural contexts, limited attention has been paid to the role of gender in shaping perceptions and experiences of taboo language within Tshivenḓa-speaking communities. Guided by Sociolinguistic Theory, this article investigates how male and female Tshivenḓa speakers perceive, experience, and respond to taboo language. A qualitative approach was employed, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected Tshivenḓa-speaking participants. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that men and women experience taboo language differently, shaped by culturally defined gender roles and social expectations. Women were found to be subject to stricter linguistic norms and stronger social sanctions than men, reflecting broader expectations regarding respectability and appropriate behaviour. The findings further indicate that taboo language functions as a mechanism of social regulation, through which gender identities and cultural values are maintained. At the same time, younger generations are increasingly challenging traditional linguistic restrictions, contributing to evolving language practices. The article argues that taboo language extends beyond linguistic prohibition and operates as a sociocultural mechanism through which gendered identities and power relations are negotiated. The study contributes to sociolinguistic scholarship by demonstrating how linguistic taboos reinforce and simultaneously reflect changing gender relations within Tshivenḓa-speaking communities.