bad language

metrovelvet

Can someone explain the reasoning behind bad language being bad/taboo?

looksee

I think most of it started off with the social undesirability of cursing - literally asking God to smite someone. Also by using religeous ideas to swear by - God's wounds (zounds - now gone but once a 'swear' word) and bloody - referring to the blood of Christ.

If you read Chaucer and Shakespear there was not nearly the same concern about using descriptions of bodily functions/sexual activities, it was done quite naturally. Presumably it was the superficial prissyness of the 18th and 19th centuries that turned these words into swear words, and we are only just getting over the taboos.

I would not have any great objection to the use of 'bad language' in circumstances where it expresses your feelings, but now it is used to avoid the trouble of thinking of a more appropriate adjective, or to shock or offend in an immature way.

metrovelvet

looksee wrote: »

I think most of it started off with the social undesirability of cursing - literally asking God to smite someone. Also by using religeous ideas to swear by - God's wounds (zounds - now gone but once a 'swear' word) and bloody - referring to the blood of Christ.

If you read Chaucer and Shakespear there was not nearly the same concern about using descriptions of bodily functions/sexual activities, it was done quite naturally. Presumably it was the superficial prissyness of the 18th and 19th centuries that turned these words into swear words, and we are only just getting over the taboos.

I would not have any great objection to the use of 'bad language' in circumstances where it expresses your feelings, but now it is used to avoid the trouble of thinking of a more appropriate adjective, or to shock or offend in an immature way.

I can appreciate that it can be a lazy way of expressing your frustration, but I dont know how it is BAD, other than it being a violation of some middle class code.

Permabear

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Donkey Oaty

donegalfella wrote: »

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"Bodily matters" is important here, because when you accidentally bang your finger with a hammer and say "****!" the word does not have the same connotations as it has in "I'd like to **** that girl".

This is why the BBC generally bans (as I understand it) the word "****ing" as a verb, but not as an intensifier.

(We're talking about the F word here, which is apparently taboo in this forum.)

Permabear

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looksee

metrovelvet wrote: »

I can appreciate that it can be a lazy way of expressing your frustration, but I dont know how it is BAD, other than it being a violation of some middle class code.

I'm not sure about the reference to a 'middle class code', I don't think that is relevant. I think the reason why it is bad is in some cases because of offence against religious sensibilities, but mostly, I think, because of the intention to offend. Any word said in the appropriate tone of voice could be read as offensive - if for example someone swears at you in a foreign language you know you have been sworn at!

I'm open to argument on that last point

metrovelvet

looksee wrote: »

I'm not sure about the reference to a 'middle class code', I don't think that is relevant. I think the reason why it is bad is in some cases because of offence against religious sensibilities, but mostly, I think, because of the intention to offend. Any word said in the appropriate tone of voice could be read as offensive - if for example someone swears at you in a foreign language you know you have been sworn at!

I'm open to argument on that last point

Well yes and no. For example C U N T is a really really bad word for Americans.

But in spanish its not a big deal [I forgot the word}. However, to call someone a cabrone [your wife cheats on you know it and you do nothing about it] could get you punched in the face.

Donkey Oaty

donegalfella wrote: »

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Yes. That was my point. Although fuck is allowed.

pickarooney

Of course you can post the word 'fuсk'. You just need to press the keys really hard.

The most bizarre aspect of bad language I find is that adults try to avoid using it around children and children try to avoid using it around adults.

What counts as taboo in one language as opposed to another is quite fascinating. Off the top of my head Dutch has barely any swear words (they use English ones, which were of course originally derived from ancestral Dutch, more often than not) whereas Russian has an entire meta-language of swearing.

Dude111

pickarooney wrote:

The most bizarre aspect of bad language I find is that adults try to avoid using it around children and children try to avoid using it around adults.

This is true....

One time about 15 yrs ago or so,i was @ a friends sitting on thier front porch and someone came by on a Bike (He had to be around 6 or 7 yrs old) -- Oh my,f this,f that,etc.... I couldnt help but laugh like crazy!! (@ that age they dont know what those words mean) but i wondered where he learned all that??

I just hope he didnt ever use them round his parents!! (Although some dont care)