Taboo

A taboo is a strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared as sacred and forbidden;

breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society.

The term was borrowed from the Tongan language and appears in many Polynesian cultures.

In those cultures, a tabu (or tapu or kapu) often has specific religious associations.

Its first use in English was recorded by James Cook in 1777.

When an activity or custom is classified as taboo it is forbidden and interdictions are implemented concerning the topic, such as the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals.

Some taboo activities or customs are prohibited under law and transgressions may lead to severe penalties.

Other taboos result in embarrassment, shame, and rudeness.

Taboos can include dietary restrictions (halal and kosher diets, religious vegetarianism, and the prohibition of cannibalism), restrictions on sexual activities and relationships (miscegenation, homosexuality, incest, zoophilia, pedophilia, necrophilia), restrictions of bodily functions (burping, flatulence), restrictions on the use of psychoactive drugs, restrictions on presence of genitalia (circumcision, sex reassignment), exposure of body parts (ankles in the Victorian British Empire, women's faces in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, nudity in the US), and restrictions on the use of offensive language.

No taboo is known to be universal, but some (such as the incest taboo) occur in the majority of societies.

Taboos may serve many functions, and often remain in effect after the original reason behind them has expired.

Some have argued that taboos therefore reveal the history of societies when other records are lacking.

Taboos often extend to cover discussion of taboo topics.

This can result in taboo deformation (euphemism) or replacement of taboo words.

Marvin Harris, a leading figure in cultural materialism, endeavoured to explain taboos as a consequence of the ecologic and economic conditions of their societies.

Also, Sigmund Freud provided an analysis of taboo behaviours, highlighting strong unconscious motivations driving such prohibitions.

In this system, described in his collections of essays Totem and Taboo, Freud postulates a link between forbidden behaviours and the sanctification of objects to certain kinship groups.

Taboo and art

Many contemporary artists deal with taboo images and ideas including:

• Matthew Barney

• Maurizio Cattalan

• Damien Hirst

• Joel-Peter Witkin

• Bill Viola

and

• Pedro Almodóvar

• Luis Bunuel

• Derek Jarman

• Tom Green

A taboo is a strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared as sacred and forbidden; breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society. The term was borrowed from the Tongan language and appears in many Polynesian cultures. In those cultures, a tabu (or tapu or kapu) often has specific religious associations. Its first use in English was recorded by James Cook in 1777. When an activity or custom is classified as taboo it is forbidden and interdictions are implemented concerning the topic, such as the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals. Some taboo activities or customs are prohibited under law and transgressions may lead to severe penalties. Other taboos result in embarrassment, shame, and rudeness. Taboos can include dietary restrictions (halal and kosher diets, religious vegetarianism, and the prohibition of cannibalism), restrictions on sexual activities and relationships (miscegenation, homosexuality, incest, zoophilia, pedophilia, necrophilia), restrictions of bodily functions (burping, flatulence), restrictions on the use of psychoactive drugs, restrictions on presence of genitalia (circumcision, sex reassignment), exposure of body parts (ankles in the Victorian British Empire, women's faces in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, nudity in the US), and restrictions on the use of offensive language. No taboo is known to be universal, but some (such as the incest taboo) occur in the majority of societies. Taboos may serve many functions, and often remain in effect after the original reason behind them has expired. Some have argued that taboos therefore reveal the history of societies when other records are lacking. Taboos often extend to cover discussion of taboo topics. This can result in taboo deformation (euphemism) or replacement of taboo words. Marvin Harris, a leading figure in cultural materialism, endeavoured to explain taboos as a consequence of the ecologic and economic conditions of their societies. Also, Sigmund Freud provided an analysis of taboo behaviours, highlighting strong unconscious motivations driving such prohibitions. In this system, described in his collections of essays Totem and Taboo, Freud postulates a link between forbidden behaviours and the sanctification of objects to certain kinship groups. Taboo and art Many contemporary artists deal with taboo images and ideas including: • Matthew Barney • Maurizio Cattalan • Damien Hirst • Joel-Peter Witkin • Bill Viola and • Pedro Almodóvar • Luis Bunuel • Derek Jarman • Tom Green °	TESTO PARALLELO INCASELLATO Scopri come è facile capire l'inglese se c'è a fianco la traduzione parallela incasellata!
	A taboo is a strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom declared as sacred and forbidden;	Un tabù è una forte proibizione sociale (od interdizione) attinente a qualche area dell'attività umana o consuetudine sociale dichiarate come sacre o proibite;
	breaking of the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society.	la violazione di un tabù è considerata dalla società di solito ripugnante o disgustosa.
	The term was borrowed from the Tongan language and appears in many Polynesian cultures.	Il termine fu preso in prestito dal Linguaggio di Togan ed appare in molte culture polinesiane.
	In those cultures, a tabu (or tapu or kapu) often has specific religious associations.	In queste culture, un tabù (o tapu o kapu) ha spesso specifiche associazioni religiose.
	Its first use in English was recorded by James Cook in 1777.	Il suo primo uso in inglese fu registrato da James Cook nel 1777.
	When an activity or custom is classified as taboo it is forbidden and interdictions are implemented concerning the topic, such as the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals.	Quando un'attività od un'abitudine è classificata come tabù, è proibita ed i divieti sono effettuati in merito all'argomento, come il terreno separato come un santuario per i criminali.
	Some taboo activities or customs are prohibited under law and transgressions may lead to severe penalties.	Alcune attività o consuetudini tabù, sono proibite dalla legge e le trasgressioni possono portare a punizioni severe.
	Other taboos result in embarrassment, shame, and rudeness.	Altri tabù hanno per risultato imbarazzo, vergogna, e violenza.
	Taboos can include dietary restrictions (halal and kosher diets, religious vegetarianism, and the prohibition of cannibalism), restrictions on sexual activities and relationships (miscegenation, homosexuality, incest, zoophilia, pedophilia, necrophilia), restrictions of bodily functions (burping, flatulence), restrictions on the use of psychoactive drugs, restrictions on presence of genitalia (circumcision, sex reassignment), exposure of body parts (ankles in the Victorian British Empire, women's faces in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, nudity in the US), and restrictions on the use of offensive language.	I tabù possono includere restrizioni dietetiche (diete halal e kasher, vegetarianismi religiosi, e la proibizione del cannibalismo), restrizioni nelle attività sessuali e nelle relazioni (incrocio di razze, omosessualità, incesto, zoofilia, pedofilia, necrofilia), restrizioni delle funzioni corporali (rutto, flatulenza), restrizioni nell'uso di droghe psicoattive, restrizioni nell'aspetto dei genitali (circoncisioni, riassegnazione sessuale), esposizione di parti del corpo (le caviglie durante l'Impero Britannico Vittoriano, i volti delle donne nell'Arabia Saudita ed in Afganistan, la nudità negli Stati Uniti), e restrizioni nell'uso di un linguaggio offensivo.
	No taboo is known to be universal, but some (such as the incest taboo) occur in the majority of societies.	Nessun tabù è conosciuto essere universale, ma alcuni (come il tabù dell'incesto) ricorrono nella maggioranza delle società.
	Taboos may serve many functions, and often remain in effect after the original reason behind them has expired.	I tabù possono fungere molte funzioni, e spesso rimangono in vigore dopo che la ragione originaria dietro di loro si è estinta.
	Some have argued that taboos therefore reveal the history of societies when other records are lacking.	Alcuni hanno argomentato che i tabù quindi rivelano la storia delle società quando sono mancanti altre testimonianze.
	Taboos often extend to cover discussion of taboo topics.	I tabù spesso si estendono fino ad includere una discussione su argomenti tabù.
	This can result in taboo deformation (euphemism) or replacement of taboo words.	Questo può risolversi in una deformazione del tabù (eufemismo) o la sostituzione di parole tabù.
	Marvin Harris, a leading figure in cultural materialism, endeavoured to explain taboos as a consequence of the ecologic and economic conditions of their societies.	Marvin Harris, la figura principale nel materialismo culturale, si è sforzato di spiegare i tabù come una conseguenza delle condizioni ecologiche ed economiche delle loro società.
	Also, Sigmund Freud provided an analysis of taboo behaviours, highlighting strong unconscious motivations driving such prohibitions.	Inoltre, Sigmund Freud fornì un'analisi dei comportamenti tabù, svelando le forti motivazioni inconsce che portano a queste proibizioni.
	In this system, described in his collections of essays Totem and Taboo, Freud postulates a link between forbidden behaviours and the sanctification of objects to certain kinship groups.	In questo sistema, raccolto nella sua collezione di saggi Totem e Tabù, Freud postula un collegamento tra i comportamenti proibiti e la santificazione di oggetti da parte di certi gruppi di affinità.
	Taboo and art	Tabù ed arte
	Many contemporary artists deal with taboo images and ideas including:	Molti artisti contemporanei si occupano di immagini ed idee tabù, inclusi:
	• Matthew Barney	• Matthew Barney
	• Maurizio Cattalan	• Maurizio Cattalan
	• Damien Hirst	• Damien Hirst
	• Joel-Peter Witkin	• Joel-Peter Witkin
	• Bill Viola	• Bill Viola
	and	e
	• Pedro Almodóvar	• Pedro Almodóvar
	• Luis Bunuel	• Luis Bunuel
	• Derek Jarman	• Derek Jarman
	• Tom Green	• Tom Green