An Exploration of Gender Differences in the use of English Swearwords in Vietnam

Aims: to explore how English swearwords were used by Vietnamese female and male English learners (i) to find if there were any differences or similarities in the way both genders use English swearwords in particular circumstances; (ii) to investigate the attitude of each gender towards the use of English swearwords and their senses of politeness; (iii) to suggest the inclusion of linguistic manners and cultural perspectives regarding swearing into English teaching to prepare students for cross-cultural communication among English users in Vietnam and worldwide; (iv) to add to existing research on language education that moved beyond the gender-binary approach.

Study Design: Qualitative study using questionnaires and introspection of authors’ own speech and that of their acquaintances following Lakoff’s theoretical framework on gender differences in English.

Place and Duration of Study: Hanoi, Vietnam, in 5 years.

Methodology: Survey and introspection. 318 Vietnamese English learners (18-26 years old) participated in the survey (159 males and 159 females). Introspection included the authors’ own observations in English classes within Vietnam and abroad experience of using English in Japan.

Results: Responses revealed slight differences between male and female participants in the use of English swearwords and perceptions towards swearwords. Although participants did swear quite frequently, most of them (including male and female) preferred using indirect rather than direct swearwords for politeness, to avoid hurting other feelings, or because it’s just a habit that they have developed themselves through social experiences and that they had been taught by the seniors to not use direct swearwords. Either the users of indirect or direct swearwords, even in an emotional state, a number of male and female participants would first consider the surroundings and the relationship with the listeners before making decisions on their choice of swearwords. The majority of participants, regardless of gender, seemed to share the same fear of being judged for swearing socially which seemed to restrain themselves from swearing in public. Only a minority, disregarded the judgment from the surroundings and still used swearwords to express their emotions. This was also the only gender difference trait that correlated to previous research on gender differences in the use of English swearwords by Lakoff.

Conclusion: Male and female Vietnamese English learners had similar ways in the use and attitudes towards English swearwords and swearing culture which were different from previous studies of gender differences in English by Lakoff. This suggests a different approach to English teaching in Vietnam which emphasizes a need to include cultural studies and language manners regarding swearing for cross-cultural communication.