• Afshin Soori

  Author

• Zahra Sherafat

  Author

This study is aimed to investigate the perception that Iranian EFL male and female
learners have of taboo words. Therefore, 100 Iranians EFL learners were invited to participate
in the study to see whether there is any statistically significant difference between Iranian EFL
male and female learners regarding the perception of taboo words in terms of gender
differences. Participants’ homogeneity was measured through Oxford Quick Placement Test.
The project used a researcher-made questionnaire to elicit data from participants. The results
suggest that there is a statistically significant difference with the effect size of 0.3 between
Iranian EFL female and male learners in the perception of English taboo words. i.e., Iranian
EFL female learners took taboo words more severely. Finally, based on the findings of this
study, gender difference plays a key role in offensiveness or inoffensiveness of English taboo
words.

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