[Lingtyp] Swearwords as a negator and/or minimizer: a cross-linguistic perspective

[Pun Ho Lui]

Dear linguists,

Swearwords/taboo words can function as a negator (1) or minimizer/“squatitive” (2):

(1) Cantonese 
     我    撚        知
     1sg  dick  know
   ‘I don’t know.’

(2) I learn fuck all/ shit.
‘I learn nothing.’

Other languages with these pattens include:

- Russian 
- German einen Teufel ‘a devil’
- Swedish så fan Heller
- French mon cul ‘my ass’ (?)
- Polish chuj ‘dick’; gówno ’shit’
- Serbian kurac ‘penis'
- Croatian kurac ‘penis’
- Colloquail Finnish “aggressive mood”

These examples are provided in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lingtyp/permalink/6751622964867235/ <https://www.facebook.com/groups/lingtyp/permalink/6751622964867235/>

I am wondering if there are other languages performing similar constructions. If so, is the any requirement for using them.

Thank you.

Warmest,
Pun Ho Lui


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