Hi Everyone! Today’s blog is going to be a fun and interesting one as I am going to tackle the topic of swearing.
Swearing, Cursing, Cussing, Profanity, Lewd Language, Expletives, call it what you will.
Therefore please note, Warning: What you are about to read contains explicit language, may be unsuitable for children or offensive to some. Viewer discretion is advised.
In other words, if swear words hurt your eyes, this blog probably isn’t for you..
Generally, my questions about swearing included, what are swear words and why do we swear? Why is it considered wrong?
It’s just a word right?
Generally, swear words can include things like sexual references (fuck), those that are profane or blasphemous (goddamn), scatological or disgusting objects (shit), animal names (pig, ass), ethnic/racial/gender slurs (fag,nigga), ancestral allusions (bastard) and offensive slang (In Barbados, we like to use rasshole).
The words can range from being mildly offensive to extremely offensive and generally we make decisions about which words we used depending on different factors, like the company we are amongst, and the relationship we have with that group or company.
For example, we know that 14 year old Jimmy isn’t saying “son of a bitch” infront of his own mother (who might very well skin him alive for using that term), but he might be saying it amongst his friends from school who might just laugh a little harder at the joke he tells when he says it.
Swearing and use of these “taboo’’ words occur for a variety of reasons.
Persons swear to add clear and emotional components to a discussion they are having, usually to express frustration, anger or even surprise.
Sometimes, swearing is cathartic. Freeing us of negative feelings!
Or swearing can be used more positively, in the form of jokes, humor or story telling.
“I spent my entire childhood wishing that I was older and now that I’m older, I’m telling you this shit sucks”
Sure, we could say…”I spent my entire childhood wishing that I was older and now that I’m older I’m telling you, this sucks”…But it loses the humorous emphasis intended.
I remember in secondary school, our teacher made us write an essay about “Why we must not swear” because someone in the class used very “colourful” language and apparently we had to be taught a lesson. But when I sat to write the essay I realized that i didn’t actually know the reason and i spent extra time asking the adults around me at the time why we are not supposed to.
No disrespect, but some of the answers even at 13-14 years old, some of the answers I got sounded like shit to me. (Emotional Emphasis!)
“Because those are bad words and you must not say them”
“Because you are less intelligent if you must resort to swear words to speak”
“Because curse words were words created but not actually meant to be used..”
In the end, the essence of my essay was that swearing was the less intelligent way of expressing yourself when you lack the methods or words of other ways to say what you mean…
But now, I understand that swearing is not just for the uneducated or people of a lower socioeconomic class — it knows no social boundaries in its expression and swearing is more common than you may realize.
It’s a natural part of human speech development. We learn which words are taboo and which words are not through our normal childhood development. Young children hear “bad words” all the time and are trained to the “shock” response of hearing these words and then in turn are often shushed by adults and peers and told not to say them.
We also learn that not all swear words are equal.. as when you call your sister a “poopy-head” vs calling her a “bitch”. Mom might just tell you to behave/don’t do that vs yelling and telling you about going for the belt.
So what’s wrong with swearing?
NOTHING!
…But let’s qualify this statement…
Swearing at people, with the intent to verbally attack or abuse is where it is deemed as most offensive. The act of swearing is not morally wrong however the use of swear words in this way is.
Swearing in a normal conversation is unnecessary, and this is then when it becomes meaningless.
In everyday conversation and in front of young children (especially if they aren’t yours), it’s not acceptable. As a general rule of thumb, please note there is a time and place for everything. Swearing does make people uncomfortable, so if you are unsure of how it will be accepted, you probably shouldn’t say them..( or wear a shirt with a disclaimer so people who are bothered just know not to talk to you)
And evaluating swearing from a religious standpoint, (for those who follow the Christian bible) there’s Ephesians 4:29, and James 1:26… and I’m sure that there are equivalents throughout other religions and if you are one to follow your religious readings, I agree you probably shouldn’t be using foul language.
Swearing is not a new phenomenon, nor has it increased or decreased in popularity over the generations (or, indeed, centuries). So, as long as our swear words retain the power to shock and convey strength of emotion, more power to them they will continue to exist…Language is full of strength modifiers, and swearing is just one of them.
Anyway, this blog is SO much different to my regular ones and I really hope you made it to the end. It was interesting to think about and mention to you guys.
Today’s quote is basically something which carries my final opinion about swearing.
“Swearingly Sparingly”
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Thanks and catch up in the next blog!
Ciao!
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