Good and Bad Talk in Rap: Pragmatic Analysis of French and Polish Lyrics (2020-2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18778/1505-9065.20.1.13Keywords:
hip-hop, rap, lexicology, discourse analysis, insults, curse wordsAbstract
Hip-hop, represented by rap as its main voice, embodies a complex youth and serves as an urban countermovement drawing from various influences. This “street reality” emerges as a reaction to the living conditions imposed by a dominant system. Our research analyses recent (2020-2024) lyrics of French and Polish rappers to discern their views on moral values, distinguishing between what is considered right and wrong. We analyse the themes within their discourse to understand both the criticisms expressed and the positive aspects highlighted. A comparative approach is adopted, focusing on representative texts from both countries. Additionally, we study the lexical forms of “bad language,” such as insults, slurs, curse words, and vulgarities. The analysis will also compare perceptions of “good and bad” in these two countries where hip-hop has thrived for decades, shedding light on the evolution of values conveyed through rap over the past 20 years.
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