A Sociolinguistic Study of the Dynamics of Taboo Language in Intercultural Communication

Abstract

The prevalence of intercultural communication is underpinned by the ongoing globalisation of contemporary communication. As an important branch of sociolinguistics, the issue of Chinese-English taboos has become typical of the study of intercultural communication. Based on the different linguistic features of the Chinese and English languages, and the obvious differences in such features, the two are constantly confronted with the confrontation and challenge of taboo language in intercultural communication, not to mention the new vocabulary of communication that has emerged as a result of the development of the Internet. When taboo language and specific communication situations on both sides are accurately analysed, it is more likely that the root of the problem can be identified and avoided in order to ensure the progress and quality of intercultural communication. The analysis of regular cases from recent years has shown that the active avoidance of the direct use of taboo language and the reinforcement of linguistic knowledge for reasons of cultural sensitivity are effective in preventing intercultural communication errors.