Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 509

4th International Conference on Language, Literature, Culture, and Education (ICOLLITE 2020)

The Classification of Swear Words in the Movie

Perempuan Tanah Jahanam by Joko Anwar
A Sociolinguistic Study
Mochammad Fredy, Nuria Haristiani*
Pascasarjana Pendidikan Bahasa Jepang, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
*
Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Movie is one of the tools for spreading languages which may contain verbal abuse, harsh words, sarcasm, and swear
words to express displeasure, hatred, or dissatisfaction. Swear words are not only used to blaspheme and vilify, but
also to express praises, wonders, and create an atmosphere of close intimacy. This research used a qualitative
approach involving note-taking method by carefully listening to each dialogue in the movie. Then the dialogues that
contained swear words were recorded and analysed by referring to theories related to swear words. The movie
Perempuan Tanah Jahanam by Joko Anwar was selected because it employed a lot of swear words. The analysis
reveals that most of the swear words were applied to curse, insult, threaten, surprise, disturb, or hurt others with
references and sources of the animal terms, faeces, and sexual activities. The swear words in the movie were used as
as markers of intimacy.

Keywords: Swear words, harsh words, classification, sociolinguistics

1. INTRODUCTION from having a function as a means of expressing anger,

resentment, disappointment, regret, humiliation, and
Using words, both in spoken and written astonishment, swear words can also be used to create a
communication, show many variations. Variety of feeling of intimacy.
language is used in any situations, circumstances or as
for certain purposes (Partana in Ibda, 2019). When This movie contains a lot of swear words even from
someone is angry, annoyed, happy, amazed, surprised, its title itself: Jahanam. Based on the use of swear
sad, and so on, he/she will choose a language that can words in Joko Anwar's movie Perempuan Tanah
express their feelings (Masykur, 2014). Swear words, Jahanam, this study attempted to find and classify them
harsh words, sarcasm, and satire are the various forms based on the language forms, contexts, functions, and
of language used by speakers of languages to express references.
displeasure, hatred, or dissatisfaction with something or
the situation. Swearing is an attempt to convey feelings 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
and thoughts in the form of certain language units that
are considered the most appropriate and most striking 2.1. Reviews Regarding Swear Words
(Putra, 2013).
From a sociolinguistic view, language is not only
Swear words are forms that are used to relate with seen as an individual, but also a social phenomenon. As
something that is seen as inappropriate because the a social phenomenon, language and its usage are not
utterances are mostly related to human relations. only determined by linguistic factors, but also by
According to Crystal (2003), swear words are often nonlinguistic factors (Kusmiyati, 2017). The variety of
regarded as inappropriate, but in fact, swear words are language is the variation of the language used in
still used in various ways. Swear words according to situations, circumstances or as for certain purposes. As
Crystal (2003) can also be used to show identity in a seen from the perspective of sociolinguistics, swearing
group to frighten, insult, show intimacy, create distance, is an attempt by speech to convey feelings and thoughts
or to establish social solidarity. In other words, apart

Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.

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Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 509

in the form of certain language units that are considered 2.2. The Classification of Swear Words
the most appropriate and most striking.
Morehead and Morehead (1981) in Jannah (2017) 2.2.1. Swear Words by its Language Forms
revealed that swear words are curses. Edward (1983)
This study refers to Wijana (2004) in classifying
stated that swear word is an expression to offend the
swear words in terms of forms.
self-esteem of others which is used to hurt somebody, or
because of an unclear need so that sometimes those who a. Swearing in the form of words
scold him/her do not know the true meaning contained
Swearing in the form of words is further divided into
in the word.
two, swearing in the form of a root word and in the form
Hughes (1991) stated that swearing words that are of an invented word. Swearing in the form of a root
obscene or harsh, are often used to curse and consider word is in the form of monomorphemic words, for
indecent intention in a society; these words are used to example, bastard, bangsat, anjing, etc. Meanwhile,
insult, curse, hurt, and ridicule somebody when the swearing in the form of an invented word is in the form
speaker feels very strong emotions. In other words, of polymorphemic words. This polymorphemic swear
swearing is a language expression that often refers to word is further differentiated into three types, (1)
language that is considered bad or wrong. swearing with affixes such as sialan, bajingan,
kampungan, (2) re-form or reduplicated swearing such
A study in Malaysia found several swear words
as cecunguk, and (3) compound form such as kurang
spoken by certain groups of women using obscene or
ajar, buaya darat.
harsh words. Some of the curses are in the form of filth,
damn, prostitute (bitch), sexual activities, and something b. Swearing in the form of phrases
nonsense (Paramasivam, 2014).
There are two ways to make swear word in the form
In addition, a research in Iran found that the type of of phrases, the first way is by adding the word "dasar",
swear words come from religious issues. The types of i.e. dasar sial, dasar bajingan, etc. This form can also
swear words in this study use modern Persian. The be various, i.e. using the animal terms (dasar anjing,
swear words include swearing in the name of religion, dasar buaya, etc.), occupation (dasar pelacur), object
when conditions are holy, foods and drinks, part of (dasar tai), condition (dasar gila, dasar bodoh), and
bodies and family members (Mahjub et al., 2013). spirits (dasar setan, dasar iblis). Then the second way is
by adding "-mu", i.e. matamu, kakekmu, and so on.
Praptomo (2003) stated that there is also symbolic
Adding “-mu” in this way is only limited to kinship
violence besides physical violence. This symbolic
words (kakekmu, nenekmu) and part of bodies
violence is further divided into two types, (1) violence
(matamu).
that uses nonverbal symbols, and (2) violence that uses
verbal symbols (language), called verbal violence. c. Swearing in the form of clauses
Verbal violence is reflected in speech acts such as
In general, swearing in the form of clauses is adding
scolding, threatening, insulting, yelling, taunting,
the pronoun right after the swear words, i.e. bodoh
harassing, slandering, expelling, blaspheming,
kamu, bajingan kamu, etc. The function of adding
cornering, coercing, inciting, vilifying, frightening,
pronouns is to emphasize the swear word.
intimidating, and humiliating.
Based on those opinions, there is no agreement 2.2.2. Swear Words by its Contexts and
among experts/researchers about swear words. Swear Functions
words can be identified through its characteristics such
as (1) an expression of certain feelings that arise due to Language has an expressive function, which is used
linguistic and non-linguistic impulses; (2) an to express the feelings and attitudes of its speakers.
expressions of the speaker's emotions and attitudes; (3) Bolton and Hutton (1998, p. 331-332) distinguished four
words of taboo, rude, dirty, obscene, disrespectful and types of swear speech based on the context as follows.
vile; (4) reference for taboos or stigma in a cultural or a. Integrative; swear words are used as a habit or
community environment; (5) an expression to offend group rules which is used to thicken boundaries so
other people's self-esteem and hurt feelings; (6) part of that it becomes a differentiator from other groups.
an expletive; (7) pronouncing of out of anger; and (8) This swear words occur when there is no other
the contexts as a marker of intimacy and a statement of person from outside the group or when someone
identity. In other words, swear word is a form of from outside the group has overheard their
expression of harsh, indecent words and so on which are conversation.
used to show strong expressions when scolding,
insulting, scolding, and even showing a close b. Aggressive; swear words used intentionally to
relationship. insult, threaten, shock, annoy or hurt another
person. This swear words are intended to

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Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 509

temporarily remove social barriers and disrupt b. Term of Animals

someone's social integrity.
Certain traits of animals in Indonesian are used as
c. Regressive; swearing in the form of foul or swear words, i.e., disgusting (anjing), haram (babi),
indecent terms used for joking or being funny. hurting (lintah darat), disloyal (buaya).
d. Expressive; swear words used to convey strong c. Objects (Materials)
emotions such as surprised or when finger hit by a
Similar to the references to the animal terms, some
hammer.
of the names of objects that are often used for swearing
Andersson and Trudgill (1983) classify the four usually have bad shapes or appearances and conditions,
functions of swear word as follows. i.e., tai, gombal, and so on.
a. Expletive: swear words are used to express d. Parts of body
emotions and are not aimed directly at other
Body parts that are used as swear words are closely
people.
related to sexual activity as it is very private and should
b. Abusive; swear words addressed directly to other not be discussed in public except in certain forums, i.e.
people. For example, You Motherfucker, You puki mak and cuki mai.
Asshole.
Some other body parts that are also often used as
c. Humorous; swear words are not intended to insult swear words are mata (the eyes) in the form of the
even though it is addressed at another person; only phrase matamu. In the other side, other phrases used for
for joking. swearing are hidung belang, mata duitan, etc.
d. Auxiliary: swear words are not directly referred to e. Kinships
the other person, it is just a way of speaking. For
Some kinship words such as ibu, bapak, kakek,
example, This fucking blablabla!
nenek, and so on are used as swear words. To swear or
It can be concluded that swear words serve as a tool express humiliation, usually these kinship words are
to express emotions in personal and social functions. added with -mu so that it becomes kakekmu, nenek
Thus, the functions of swear words include (1) to moyangmu, and so on.
express habits or group rules; (2) to insult; (3) to revile;
f. Spirit Terms
(4) to threaten; (5) to shock; (6) to disturb/hurt; (7)
jokes; (8) to exert emotions directly or indirectly; (9) to There are several words related to spirits that are
reveal pain or unexpected events; (10) to reduce stress; often used to express insults, such as setan, dedemit,
(11) to strengthen the argument; (12) to seek attention; iblis, and so on.
(13) to discredit; (14) to incite; (15) to identify; (16) to
g. Activities
serve as a catharsis; (17) to serve as social boundaries
and norms; (18) to express annoyance, regret, and Swear words related to sexual activities such as
disappointment; (19) to express astonishment; (20) to diamput and diancuk. These words are often used by
serve as tools for intimacy. Indonesian speakers from East Java.
h. Occupation
2.2.3. Swear Word by Its References
Swear words that use an occupation are usually an
By its references, according to Wijana and Rohmadi occupation that is looked down upon and forbidden by
(2007, p. 119-124) swear words can be classified into religion such as thieves, scoundrels, prostitute, and so
various types, in term of conditions, animals, objects, on.
parts of body, kinships, spirits, activities, and
occupations. 3. METHOD
a. Conditions/Situations
3.1. Data Collection
There are three things that can be attributed to
unpleasant situations. Mental state, such as bodoh, gila, The initial step of the data collection technique
etc.; conditions that are not sanctioned by God or involved observations aimed at identifying and finding
religion, such as jahanam, terkutuk, etc. The situations the swear words in the movie Perempuan Tanah
relate to unpleasant events that befell someone, such as Jahanam directed by Joko Anwar and produced by
sialan, mati, etc. In some cases, these swear words are Shanty Harmayn, et al. The movie, which was released
also used to express amazement, admiration, surprise, on October 17, 2019, has a duration of 1 hour 46
and so on, i.e., by using words like astaga, gawat, etc. minutes. The next step of data collection was note-
taking of the dialogs in the movie. The researcher
listened carefully to each dialogue then recorded the

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Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 509

swear words in it. After the data were collected, the next 11. Iblis
step was to group the swear words data based on its 12. Ngapusi Sampeyan
language forms, contexts, functions, and references. 13. Kualat
14. Asu
3.2. Storyline of Permpuan Tanah Jahanam by 15. Asu Kowe
Joko Anwar These 15 swear words in Joko Anwar's movie
Perempuan Tanah Jahanam, which were then classified
Perempuan Tanah Jahanam is a horror-thriller
(see Table 1 and Table 2).
movie about the story of a woman named Maya who
returned to the village where she was born to find her
family. On her way to the village, Maya was 4.1. Language forms of Swear Words
accompanied by her best friend who also her colleague First, the researchers classified them based on its
named Dini. language forms. As stated by Wijana (2004) that swear
Before deciding to return to her village, Maya and word has three linguistic forms, in the form of words
Dini worked as toll gate guards, but because Maya had a (root and invented words), phrases, and pronoun
bad experience in one night from an unknown man who clauses. The following is a table of classifications of
nearly killed her, she quit her job as toll gate guard. Dini swear word based on its linguistic form.
also quit her job. After quitting their current job, they Swearing in the form of words is divided into two
then chose to sell clothes in the market. The lack of ways, swearing in the form of root word and swearing in
buyers in the market made Maya decide to return to her the form of an invented word. Swearing in the form of
village accompanied by Dini. Then their unpleasant root word is swear word in the form of monomorphemic
experience began. words. Based on the table above, it can be seen that the
This movie did not present a terrible demonic swear words in Joko Anwar's movie Perempuan Tanah
apparition. The scenes didn't promise a thrilling Jahanam in the form of root words include Perek,
experience either. There were many intrinsic factors that Njing, Tai, Buset, Gila, Jelek, Iblis, Asu.
made this movie feel so compelling. One of them, was Meanwhile, swearing in the form of invented word
its storyline. Joko Anwar knows very well that he only is in the form of polymorphemic words. The swear
wanted to present his creation that raised real issues in words in the form of invented words or polymorphemic
society. language found in the movie are barang bekas and
lintah darat. The two swear words are polymorphemic
3.3. Data Analysis or invented words with a compound form.
The collected data were then sorted and classified There are two ways to make swear word in the form
for interpretation and analysis according to the of phrases, the first way is by adding the word "dasar"
theoretical framework of classification based on right after the swear words and the second way is by
language forms, contexts, functions, and references. The adding "-mu". Adding “-mu” in this way is only limited
data were analyzed by using a qualitative approach. to kinship words and parts of body. Based on the Table
1, the swear word in the form of phrases were only one
4. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION phrase by adding the word “dasar”, dasar orang
kampung.
The classification of swear word consists of a
classification based on its language forms, functions, Table 1. Swear word by its language forms
contexts, references. In the movie Perempuan Tanah
Jahanam, 15 swear words were found, and classified No. Language Swear Word(s)
into their language forms, functions, contexts, and Forms
references. Below were the swear words found in the
movie. 1. Root Word Perek, Njing, Tai, Buset, Gila,
Jelek, Iblis, Asu
1. Perek
2. Barang Bekas 2. Invented Barang Bekas, Lintah Darat
3. Mati Gue Word
4. Njing
5. Tai 3. Phrase Dasar Orang Kampung
6. Dasar Orang Kampung
7. Buset 4. Pronoun Mati Gue, Ngapusi Sampeyan,
8. Gila Clause Kualat Kowe, Asu Kowe
9. Lintah Darat
10. Jelek

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Table 2. Swear Word by its Functions Table 3. Swear Word by its Contexts

No. Functions Swear Word(s) No. Contexts Swear Word(s)

1. Expletive Perek, Dasar Orang

1. Expressive Perek, Mati Gue, Buset,
Kampung, Iblis
Gila
2. Humorous Barang Bekas, Jelek
2. Regressive Barang Bekas, Jelek
3. Auxiliary Mati Gue, Buset, Gila
3. Aggressive Njing, Tai, Dasar Orang
4. Abusive Njing, Tai, Lintah Darat, Kampung, Lintah Darat,
Ngapusi Sampeyan, Kualat Ngapusi Sampean, Kualat
Kowe, Asu, Asu Kowe Kowe, Asu, Asu Kowe

The swear words in the form of the clauses were 4. Integrative Iblis
found is Mati Gue, Ngapusi Sampeyan, Kualat Kowe,
Asu Kowe. The clause has the addition of a pronoun that
is placed right after the swear word which serves to Based on the table above, there are five swear words
emphasize the curse utterance. based on the Expressive context, Perek, Mati Gue,
Buset, and Gila. The findings of the research are equal
From the descriptions above, the most common with the research by Sembiring. The research on Anjing
language forms of swear words are in the root word Alay dalam Lagu Anjay, and the swear words such as
forms. Anjay shows that they are used to express strong
emotions (Sembiring, Ulina, & Fasya, 2019).
4.2. Functions of Swear Words
Then there are two swear words included into the
The next classification of swear word is based on its context of Regressive, Barang Bekas and Jelek. The
function. As stated by Andersson and Trudgill (1983, p. next one is an Aggressive context. The swear words
15), function-based swear words are divided into four included in this context are Njing, Tai, Dasar Orang
types, Expletive, Humorous, Auxiliary, and Abusive. Kampung, Lintah Darat, Ngapusi Sampean, Kualat
Table 2 contains classifications of swear words by their Kowe, Asu, and Asu Kowe. The last one is the word
function. iblis, which is included in the Integrative context.
Based on their functions, expletive swear words Of the four contexts above, the most widely found
include Perek, Dasar Orang Kampung, and Iblis. These classification of swear words is swear word by its
are classified into the Expletive function because they aggressive context.
are merely to express emotions and are not aimed
Table 4. Swear Word by its References
directly at other people.
The next function of the swear words is Humorous. No. References Swear Word(s)
Barang Bekas and Jelek are not intended to other people
1. Condition/Situation Barang Bekas, Mati Gue,
and only to jokes made by the characters in the movie.
Dasar Orang Kampung, Gila,
The next function of the swear words is Auxiliary; Jelek, Ngapusi Sampeyan,
Kualat Kowe
Mati Gue, Buset, and Gila. The last function of swear
words is Abusive with the following words, Njing, Tai, 2. Animal Terms Njing, Lintah Darat, Asu, Asu
Lintah Darat, Ngapusi Sampeyan, Kualat Kowe, Asu, Kowe
and Asu Kowe.
3. Objects (materials) Barang Bekas, Tai
Of the four functions above, the most common
function of swear word is abusive function. 4. Spirit Things Iblis

5. Occupations Perek
4.3. Swear Words by its Contexts
6. Parts of Body -
According to Bolton and Hutton (1998), swear
words based on the context are divided into four types: 7. Kinships -
Expressive, Regressive, Aggressive, and Integrative.
8. Activities -
The following is a table for the distribution of swear
words based on their context.

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4.4. References of Swear Words seven words. Then the reference to animal terms is by
four words, to objects/materials by two words, and to
Wijana and Rohmadi (2007) classified swear words spirits and occupations by one word each.
based on their references into various types,
conditions/situations, animal terms, objects (materials), Thus, it can be concluded that although there are
parts of body, kinships, spirits, activities, and several dialogues that use swear words as a marker of
occupations. The Table 4 are findings of swear words intimacy and closeness, curse utterances are still used in
based on their references. the dominant function and context. A curse is used
deliberately to insult, threaten, surprise, disturb or hurt
Of the eight distributions of swear words in Table 4, others.
only five references were found, including the reference
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