Book contents
- Words that Wound
- Words that Wound
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Disclaimer: A Note to Readers
- Introduction
- 1 Setting the Scene
- 2 Understanding Offence
- 3 Data and Methodological Considerations
- 4 Navigating the Landscape of Offensive Discourse
- 5 Semantic Domains of Offensive Language
- 6 Patterns of Offensive Language Usage
- 7 Less Explicitly Offensive Language
- 8 Creativity and Offence
- 9 Conclusion
- References
- Index
4 - Navigating the Landscape of Offensive Discourse
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 April 2026
Book contents
- Words that Wound
- Words that Wound
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Disclaimer: A Note to Readers
- Introduction
- 1 Setting the Scene
- 2 Understanding Offence
- 3 Data and Methodological Considerations
- 4 Navigating the Landscape of Offensive Discourse
- 5 Semantic Domains of Offensive Language
- 6 Patterns of Offensive Language Usage
- 7 Less Explicitly Offensive Language
- 8 Creativity and Offence
- 9 Conclusion
- References
- Index
Summary
In Chapter 4, we focus on the discourse of offensive language. Drawing on Foucault’s concept of discourse, we examine recurring patterns, structures and meanings that convey offensive implications in our corpus. We identify linguistic categories that are overused or underused in comparison to our reference corpus. The key features identified reveal that offensive language is often personal, opinionated and judgemental, and includes intrusive and critical expressions. In this chapter, we also explore the implications of these linguistic tendencies and their role in shaping the discourse of offence. Chapter 4 further demonstrates that the overuse of symbols, such as asterisks, serves to obscure offensive language, indicating both self-censorship and attempts to potentially normalise such language.
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- Chapter
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- Words that WoundExploring Online Offensive Language, pp. 72 - 90Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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