Evaluation of Factors Causing Verbal Convergence and Producing Taboos in Football Spectators based on Age and Education Variables

Despite differences in social factors such as age, education, ethnicity, and social status, a kind of linguistic convergence is formed among football spectators. The linguistic manifestation of this convergence is the production and repetition of slogans. Many of these slogans are considered taboo in Iranian culture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the verbal convergence between spectators and the formation of taboos in the stadium and also the effect of age and education on the convergence and use of taboos. The research data were collected through questionnaires and interviews with 52 spectators in 4 matches in Azadi Stadium. The participants were of different ages and had different levels of education. The results show that there is a significant relationship between age and linguistic convergence and taboo production. Education has a significant relationship with linguistic convergence, but it does not show a significant relationship with the use of taboos. Finally, the research classifies the 76 slogans expressed in the stadium, based on their structure and function in 7 different groups. The results of this study can help linguists, sociologists, senior managers, and researchers to better identify culture and language in Iran and in weak social networks.