Foul Language

[Truronian]

One thing I have never understood is the phenomenon of swear words. The idea that a noise we can make is intrinsically offensive has always seemed ridiculous to me, I don't understand why such a taboo exists. I also see the censorship of such words bizarre, in that it seems the words remain offensive because they are censored.

Thoughts? What purpose does such censorship serve? Should there be fines for letting children hear such words?

I'm also interested about the status of curse words in other cultures... do they exist in all languages?

EDITTED to expand on questions.

 

[Tycoon101]

I have no idea why. I dislike swearing too much, but they help to convey a point.

Only if swearing is used with a malicious intent do I dislike it.

 

[Irish Caesar]

The noise is only intrinsically offensive because the only reason people use these words is to shock and offend.

 

[Elrohir]

They aren't intrinsically offensive; nothing is. They're offensive because everyone agrees that they are. If everyone agreed that the F-word was actually a nice word that could be used in polite society to refer to frog legs, (To use a totally absurd example) then it would no longer be considered vulgar.

No word is actually intrinsically good or bad. The "goodness" is just a common delusion that we agree upon to make our language more versatile and understandable. (Although it's rarely a conscious thing.)

 

[Truronian]

They aren't intrinsically offensive; nothing is. They're offensive because everyone agrees that they are. If everyone agreed that the F-word was actually a nice word that could be used in polite society to refer to frog legs, (To use a totally absurd example) then it would no longer be considered vulgar.

No word is actually intrinsically good or bad. The "goodness" is just a common delusion that we agree upon to make our language more versatile and understandable. (Although it's rarely a conscious thing.)

But why agree on having a word be offensive, whats the point? It seems to me if we simply stopped tiptoeing around swear words like landmines then they would eventually cease to exist.

 

[Tycoon101]

But why agree on having a word be offensive, whats the point? It seems to me if we simply stopped tiptoeing around swear words like landmines then they would eventually cease to exist.

But it wouldn't be forgotten, because SOMEONE would still swear with malicious intent. There's no use to try to forget about something. Just ignore the people who swear, and then you won't have a problem.

 

[Perfection]

Swear words exist because they are linguistically useful. They can express intense emotion and willingness to be offensive in a way that illicits an emotional response in the listener. It's actually a common feature to all human cultures.

 

[Narz]

What the **** kind of ****ty question is that? ****!

Seriously though, people like being offended. Most adults don't go around beating either other up (or even directly insulting each other) so the thershhold of "offense" has to be lowered so people can get their daily dose of outrage.

How offended someone becomes in a given situation is in direct proportion to their level of personal security. If someone gets offended by the word f*** they may have sexual problems. If s*** offends them perhaps their constipated. And obviously people who get upset about g*ddamn are worried they perhaps their God may actually listen to the heather (and damn their damned damn-object).

 

[Elrohir]

But why agree on having a word be offensive, whats the point? It seems to me if we simply stopped tiptoeing around swear words like landmines then they would eventually cease to exist.

I don't think we "agreed on them" like we actually consciously agreed that "These are the bad words, and these are the good words." What happened was some words just gradually became less acceptable in more polite society, and the words, and the culture changed.

They continue to exist because of inertia. You can say privately to yourself that curse words shouldn't be considered bad, or rude - but if you go out yelling and every other word is a curse, everyone is going to think that either you have Tourette's, or you're the most vulgar idiot that exists. And to a certain extent, I think it's just sort of drilled into us when we're little - "Don't let me hear you say that word again little Jimmy, or I'll wash your mouth out with soap!" I've noticed that even today, some "tough" punks, will nudge each other and stop cussing if a small child is nearby. Being told not to say that when they were little couldn't completely stop them from giving into peer pressure, but it often has some residual effect. But I think I'm drifting off a bit....

Anyway, that's just my take on it.

 

[Mathilda]

What the **** kind of ****ty question is that? ****!

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[Shadylookin]

I generally don't like foul language because people have a tendency to just string together a bunch of 'naughty words' instead of explaining the problem.

I don't like her because she's just a dirty blankety blank blank

instead of something more reasonable and detailed like...

I don't get along with that person because when we first met she was very rude and condecending. I felt like she talked down to me instead of treating me with the respect i deserve.

I don't actually get offended by the words, but I feel people that use them excessively are using them as a crutch for lacking a vocabulary that contains words longer than 4 letters

 

[Urederra]

well, words have meanings, and it is that the meaning of the word what it is offensive, not the sound of the word itself.

I find funny that most offensive words in English are four letters words, that doesn't happen in other languages.

 

[Masquerouge]

Another interesting thing is that curse words in French are mostly female-organ based, while in English it's the opposite.

 

[Red Door]

I use them when I'm really, really angry. But that's it. I know a lot of people just don't need to use them, and they do anyways.

 

[Truronian]

Ok then, I kind of get where Perfection is coming from. So why do we need to censor them from children?

 

[Mise]

Ok then, I kind of get where Perfection is coming from. So why do we need to censor them from children?

Because they don't understand the intensity of the words, and tend to use it willy nilly...

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Personally, as with most words, it really depends on the emotion behind it. There are people around here who use swear words every other sentence - some every other word! - but simply because it's being randomly put in there it means nothing.

Throw it in with an aggressive intent however, and suddenly it becomes completely different. It is there to provoke, and it's there to add effect to whatever is being said. Such is the nature of words.

 

[Tekee]

I'm against Foul Language
I don't think it's insulting since it's just generic after all
So instead of using Fould Lanaguage I express myself differntly

 

[Lotus49]

The words convey strong negative emotions, for example frustration. They have been traditionally frowned upon because it was considered rude to inject these emotions into the tranquil open public (disturbing the peace, sort of).

Each word has a meaning. If I were to say, "God F'in DAMMIT!" - then that would imply that I am frustrated to a great degree - everyone knows this. This is a strong negative emotion, which again is considered rude if I go around sharing it w/ everyone. Instead, it is the gentlemanly thing to do - to keep it to myself.

There's your history/tradition/reason. That's why it's especially wrong to swear around women, and children. -Because they are the "beautiful, delicate flowers" of our society. It would be most improper to disturb them as such, by introducing such negativity to them. Ultimately, bringing the mood down, for everyone.

But, nowadays people are completely different. Civilization has in some ways reverted, so feel free to go around and have no regard or respect (much less understanding) for civil graces.

 

[Kozmos]

I average around 4 swpm. (swear words per minute of conversation)