HE LINGUISTIC TABOO IN THE DUSUN COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICT OF RANAU, SABAH

This paper aims to discuss the existence of linguistic taboo in the Dusun community at Bundu Tuhan village, in the district of Ranau, Sabah. The main objectives are (i) to describe the types of linguistic taboo in the Dusun community and strategies to avoid the violation of the linguistic taboo and (ii), to discuss factors that influence of linguistic taboo and the implication to this community. Data are collected through interview technique, which involves 12 informants. The findings show that there are ten types of linguistic taboo in Dusun community which are related to curse and expletives, death event, hygiene, addressing system in the family, the supernatural, body parts, female issues, agricultural and hunting activities and those related to animals. To prevent the violation of this linguistic taboo, the Dusun community uses euphemism. The main factors that linguistic taboo is practiced in the Dusun community are because of the custom and belief that have permeated over the years. There are both positive and negative implications of linguistic taboo in this community.