‘Swear words’ are still often censored. The thing I find most odd about this is that it is the words themselves that are censored rather than the context. And what makes that odd is you can be just as offensive, if not more offensive by using a phrase that has no swear words in an unpleasant context. So I think the concept of them being offensive in an absolute sense is just false. It is far more to do with the context.
Swear words themselves are often useful in describing emotive situations beyond that of other words. While for the most part I don’t swear, I often swear if I am communicating an emotive situation. Is it really logical or healthy to censor words in an absolute sense? Is it not dreadfully authoritarian to censor valid words?
I am not saying it is ok to be rude to people, I am saying that these censored words are simply tools like any other word, and can be abused like any other word, so why do we discriminate against those particular words?
Stephen Fry probably puts it better than I do:
Is it time we should stop censoring ‘swear words’?
Interesting topic. Strangely, considering their prevalence in US films and TV, censoring often seems to be a very American thing to do. Many Brits and Australians are more casual about swearing, I can’t speak for non-English speakers though.
I think in certain audiences it’s OK, but it is of course worth noting that it’s generally a lazy use of Language even if I do like using it myself.
It can be, it does irritate me when people swear every other word, where it sounds like they are struggling to articulate themselves. But for instance if a crocodile just grabbed your ankle in it’s mouth, “owch I’m being eaten” doesn’t quite cut it as an expression of your current emotional state. It’s even more bizarre that if it was filmed and made it on tv, the thing the broadcasters would be most careful about it making sure no one hears you saying a ‘naughty’, expressive word. Here is someone being attacked by a crocodile, but don’t worry, we have covered up their shocking language, so you can comfortably enjoy the far less shocking nature of the video…
Overuse of swear words usually relates to a limited vocabulary and they quickly lose their effectiveness. When used sparingly the effect can be profound and funny.
In America, it seems to often be tied to a morality issue - foul language is wrong, largely because someone’s church tells them that it is, if we’re being candid. Yet no one can point to a definitive source, religiously or otherwise, that says it’s wrong.
The reason certain words are taboo is simply because society makes them that way. Personally, I say what I want, and I choose my context. In my parents’ home, where it’s “wrong”, I don’t often use the words they find offensive. In my home, I do, but my daughter is forbidden to repeat certain words until she is old enough to understand social ramifications and make intelligent choices. At work, again, I’d more often than not constrain things. I’m willing to sacrifice a portion of my ability to speak freely to retain a job, or a good relationship with someone, even if it is a bit silly in my opinion.
But should we censor everything we don’t like? I don’t like seeing bad things in the news, but I want to see them as they are a part of the picture of reality. I think it’s important to absorb the objective reality of the world in order to maintain a realistic view of the world.
Don’t you think there is a difference between you choosing to not express yourself in a certain way, and being authoritatively prevented/blocked from doing so?
Absolutely! I’m 100% on board with you. And if things weren’t authoritatively blocked, then I think over time the language would just normalize for the most part and we’d stop worrying about such pettiness. Why vilify random words? I can absolutely see vilifying a racial or sexist slur, for example, but most words that are considered profanity don’t seem to fit the bill.
I don’t think you would ever get away from it. If current swear words became the norm people would look to find a new word to shock and cause an emotional response.
There is already a hierarchy of swear words… You can call someone an Ass without too much of issue but if you call them a ‘see you next tuesday’ then the level is completely different.
I personally think the use of swear words is a bit lazy particularly in music. I love music and listen to songs for their lyrics and meanings and use of clever language. When a band resorts to swearing to convey a message it just says to me that the ‘song writer’ isn’t a lyricist. They aren’t building a picture using words in the same way and making me think, they are just trying to get a cheap rise from kids that still think swearing is cool. If you listen to any of the great metal bands very few use swear words, they just don’t need to.
It is also a societal thing. There seems to be a move to everyone for themselves these days. In nature there is a pecking order and respect has to be earned and rules obeyed. We have somehow moved towards a society where the rudest people thrive over well mannered people. Whilst the class system isn’t great either we are now left in a situation where people don’t aspire to be gentlemen(or women) but would rather be like the idiot off ‘big brother’ or ‘the kardashians’ who can barely communicate at a reasonable level at the best of times.
Just because you can say it, doesn’t mean you should…
Right, but what makes those words lazier or more rude than any other words?
now left in a situation where people don’t aspire to be gentlemen(or women)
That’s quite true in a lot of cases - most people’s definition of gentlemanly is antiquated or else would be considered chauvinist or something similar today. Not saying I agree or disagree, just saying that the term “gentlemanly” - whether taking on women or not - isn’t so well received anymore, as far as I’ve seen.
but would rather be like the idiot off ‘big brother’ or ‘the kardashians’ who can barely communicate at a reasonable level at the best of times.
Hopefully you’re not implying that everyone who doesn’t meet your particular gentlemanly standards wants to be like the Kardashians (or similar). That’s a bit absurd
ha obviously generalizing to an extent. I do swear on occasion usually when i can’t think fast enough to find another suitable range of words to explain my thoughts.
As for what makes one word ruder than another it is purely social. There are many words that are purely scientific and explain natural functions but i probably wouldn’t strike up a conversation about a woman’s menstrual cycle at a dinner party. Why not? it’s a perfectly natural occurrence isn’t it? Same goes for many natural and medical issues, but social convention says it is not something that should be discussed in that situation. (Perhaps it would be better for health if we did who knows.)
Swearing is the same in that in certain social situations it is considered rude, it is just part of the rules. The same reason i don’t stick my finger up my nose and have a pick whilst i’m talking to someone.
The letters themselves have no meaning, but the word has a lot of meaning. if you make one word ok, people will just find another to replace it. Look through history and you’ll see words which have little affect now were once considered to be the rudest.
ha thankfully i don’t think (at least i hope not) that everyone wants to be the kardashians but there seems to be more and more TV shows that follow so called ‘important’ people and i am not quite sure why they are considered important. TV is now the role model for a large proportion of society. monkey see monkey do. I swear more around people who swear that’s for sure
ha thankfully i don’t think (at least i hope not) that everyone wants to be the kardashians but there seems to be more and more TV shows that follow so called ‘important’ people and i am not quite sure why they are considered important. TV is now the role model for a large proportion of society.
Too true.
As for what makes one word ruder than another it is purely social
I agree. I guess that’s my point - it’s a seemingly meaningless social convention. Some of those types of social etiquette rules just seem to make more sense than others, to me.
The issue is more to do with censorship, so “Just because you can’t say it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t” might be more appropriate. I agree swear words can be used in ways they shouldn’t but so can lots of words, so why pick on swear words which are particularly useful for expressing significant emotion?
For instance, the words ‘black’ and ‘inferior’ are not swear words but in the wrong context can be extremely offensive.
Expounding on this point - in many a media outlet, it’d be allowed to post an article/song/video/whatever promoting misogyny, racism, defaming someone, violence, or other dubious types of topics, but if there was excessive cursing, that part might be censored.
Is that not missing the mark a bit? Why wield censorship power on a few randomly selected words when it should either be not used (Freedom of expression, no censorship) or it should be used for good (remove actual harmful content). Either way, that’s a fail?
