El tabú lingüístico en el español de San José: estudio piloto

Abstract

This article presents the results of sociolinguistic research carried out during 2005 as a pilot study on the use of verbal sexual taboos in the district of Sabanilla de Montes de Oca. The study takes into consideration formal and informal situations and three socio-demographic variables (sex, age and educational level), as well as a list of synonyms indicating which are more formal or less formal and which are viewed as stronger or weaker taboos. The study concluded that tabooed vocabulary is generally used more frequently by men who are between the ages of 25 and 35, in private situations with their spouse or friends, and by people with a secondary education.