CURSES

The study investigates insults and swear words among some Uselu market women. The study investigates language patterns among some market women in Uselu, revealing how frustration or anger is expressed through swearing. The study seeks to examine how the everyday use of curses and swear words shapes the environment and experiences of market women in Uselu market. The study employed qualitative method to capture the actual curses and swear words used among some market women. The study utilized both primary and secondary sources. Data was also collected from six (6) Uselu market women. Participants were recorded during their naturally occurring price negotiations using audio/video recording. This study adopted Ethnography of communication(The SPEAKING model) by Dell Hymes as the theoretical framework for data analysis. The findings reveal that swear words serve not only as a means of emotional expression and stress relief but also understanding language as a tool for social interaction, and price negotiation within the market place.