A Comparative Analysis of Forms of Swear Words in Balinese and Mandarin

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the similarities and differences of swear words in Mandarin and Balinese focusing on their structural forms: words, phrases, and clauses. This descriptive qualitative study applied a comparative analytical approach to describe the forms. The primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with native Mandarin and Balinese speakers living in Bali, while the secondary data were obtained through in-depth document analysis. The results of this show as follows: In terms of similarities, the swear words in both languages show the forms of monomorphemic and polymorphemic words. In the forms of phrases, both languages share similar noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases. Both languages also use swear words in forms of clauses. In terms of differences, Balinese swear words are primarily formed through affixation, including prefixes, suffixes, and derivational processes, whereas Mandarin swear words are mainly formed through compounding. Furthermore, noun phrases are more frequently found in Balinese, while verb phrases are more common in Mandarin. At the clause level, Balinese clauses primarily structured to label the target’s negative traits. Meanwhile, Mandarin swear clauses rely heavily on directive intensifiers.