Bad Language and Restrictions of Swearing - Essay Example

Bad language Introduction There are many forms of indecent language such as swearing, use of abusive terms and even use of slang. Swearing as a form of vulgar language is a term that is considered as a taboo in various cultures. The term is also used for showing strong emotions and expressions. Bad language is used in various situations and places by people either knowingly or unknowingly. Bad language has been used by many people, and it is even being used by young children during their conversations. Swearing It is difficult to define the term swearing because it is universally used by individuals. It can either be defined as a language that is considered as a taboo. It is also a term that is used to express emotions and feelings of individuals (Anderson & Trudgill, Pp 53). Some swearing terms refer to a taboo of a certain culture but when used they illustrate emotions of individuals. For instance, a word like shit refers to a taboo, but when used represents emotions of an individual. Swearing terms are sometimes used to represent the emotions of individuals at certain situations. For instance, a person may use the word damn it when he misses a bus, and he is late for work. Swearing is used when blasphemy words are used in conversations. This is a form of vulgar language since people use religious words disrespectful. This occurs when individuals swear by heavenly creatures, and hell. Some people also commit blasphemy through swearing by body parts and functions. Words that are used to swear with body functions include piss off and sod. Sod is used to represent homosexuality, which is a form of vulgar language. Swearing words are used to illustrate taboo behaviors and words in different contexts. There are words that are not supposed to be used by individuals in public. A word like mother fucker is a taboo word yet people use it anyhow when expressing their emotions (Anderson & Trudgill, Pp 67). There are many taboo behaviors and words that are connected to food, religion, death and many other aspects. Some actions are taboo, but this does not mean they are entirely forbidden. Sex is a taboo action, but when done at the right time and place it becomes a motivating factor. There are commandments in the Bible that do not tolerate swearing and cursing. These commandments warn people on swearing and cursing because it may result in punishment. People who disrespect religious terms should be punished according to versus in the Bible. For a person to be accused of using vulgar language, it depends on the situation and context he has used this language. There are some bodily functions that are shameful and should not be mentioned without compelling reason (Battistella, Pp 73). These functions help individuals because they are necessary for healthy living. When individuals talk about them should follow certain rules for them not to be accused of using vulgar language. Individuals should not use words like piss and shit instead they should use polite words like urine and faeces. Many people in the society used vulgar language knowingly or unknowingly because it has become a habit for people to utter these words. Cultures perceive the use of vulgar language to be a taboo differently. This may be perceived differently since some cultures take it as an obligation, prohibition or a taboo. For instance catholic countries swear by use of the terms Virgin Mary but this is extremely rare in Protestant countries. Swearing by the term Virgin Mary is an obligation to the Catholics, but it is prohibited by Protestants. There is a difficult relationship between taboo words and behaviors. It is not correct to say that all taboo words results to taboo behaviors (Battistella, Pp83). Some words when used, represent taboos depending in the context they have been used. Words like shit and fuck represent taboos. In some cultures, these words are not taken as taboo because they are used as a prefix to complex words. These words have positive meaning as they express the idea of complex issues. Grammatical Swearing There are some grammatical expressions that denote swearing when used with words that illustrate swearing. For instance a phrase like who the hell is that is a phrase that expresses swearing. Native speakers comprehend these phrases as grammatically incorrect, but they are consequently perceived to be socially correct. Swearing terms give different meaning according to the context they have been used. For instance, the word shits, you bastard are abusive swearing terms. Jesus Christ is a swearing term that illustrates cursing because an individual is using a religious term disrespectful. Restrictions of Swearing It is extremely difficult to differentiate the frequencies of swearing in various cultures. It is difficult to understand swearing in totality in a certain culture. This is because swearing manifests itself differently in certain groups of a society. When people are asked to compare and contrast swearing arguments they give linguistic reasons (Edmonds, Pp 56). Religious and social arguments suggest that people use swearing terms because they are short of words. Other people suggested that swearing words are used because there are no proper words to be used in that context. There is an argument that suggests swearing words give the social structure of certain societies. The way people live is much connected to the way they use their language. Families that keep their housed clean and their clothes clean are likely to use good language, as opposed to families that keep their houses and clothes unclean. Use of language reflects how people conduct their home and social affairs. Well organized families are likely to use good language, as opposed to disorganized families. Swearing is used differently depending on the role of a society. Societies that have personal roles and conscious control are likely to use swearing terms, as opposed to families that do not have personal roles and conscious control (Edmonds, Pp 76). The type of language we use is dependent on the situation it is being used. Swearing language is likely to be used in an informal situation when people are talking casually. During formal situation, people are less likely to use swearing words. Slang Slang expression is sometimes used to denote neutral terms. There are some terms that were considered as slang, but today are part of the official language (Langer, Pp 44). The media have changed its ways of writing because they have used slang terms as official language words. There are many English words that moved from slang to official English words. Words such as phone, bike and pub are used as official languages, yet they were slang words. These words were officially known as bicycle, Public house and telephone. It is evident that slag changes with time and place. Slang appears to be different in various generations and societies. The degree in which formal language is used depends in a situation. Formal language is likely to be used in formal situations while informal language is used in informal situations. Slang language is likely to be used in the locker rooms but not during diplomatic meetings. Language formality changes as time passes and from different places (Langer, Pp 89). This is evident by the relationship of students and professors in England and America. Students and professors in America have an informal relationship as compared to students and professors in England. The connection between formality and situations is not automatic, and it changes with time. For instance, the first few minutes of a new relationship are extremely formal, but as time passes, this formality loosens and the relationship becomes informal. Research has illustrated that people at the same level at work tend to use informal language, as opposed to people at different levels at work. When a boss and his junior are having a conversation it appears to be extremely formal. Incase the boss uses slang language or swears with the junior employee, the junior will take this as a sign of respect. Slang language is used a lot while speaking than while writing. When applying for a job or deduction of taxes individuals rarely use slang language. Slang is mostly used in public places such as movies theaters and at football matches. During a football match, a person is expected to hear lots of slang language, but when reading the newspaper about this match slang language is not used. Slang is mostly used in words but not language. Every language has vocabulary combined with grammar, but slang does not have grammar and language. Slang is different from swearing since swearing use expressions from sex and body parts, but slang does not use expressions from these areas. Slang words are used from innocent expressions such as house and food. Different occupations have different slang terminologies they use in their fields. The current generation has more specialized occupation compared to earlier generations. This has resulted to more specialized vocabulary terms. The market places have contributed in many slag words that are used today. Market places do not only provide us with clothes but with various clothes that need names in to be sold. Conclusion Bad language is used in various situations and places by people either knowingly or unknowingly. Bad language involves the use of swearing phrases and slang in different situations. Swearing is defined as language that is used to illustrate a taboo or express the emotions and feelings of a person. Consequently slang is used to illustrate neutral terms. Swearing is used when blasphemy words are used in conversations. This is a form of indecent language since people use religious words disrespectful. Swearing words are used to illustrate taboo behaviors and words in different situations. It is extremely difficult to differentiate the frequencies of swearing in various cultures. It is difficult to understand swearing in totality in a certain culture. Slang expression is sometimes used to denote neutral terms. There are many English words that moved from slang to official English words. It is evident that slag changes with time and place. Slang appears to be different in various generations and societies. Slang language is likely to be used in the locker rooms, but not during diplomatic meetings. Slang is mostly used in public places such as movies theaters and at football matches. Field Notes On March 5th 2012, I was at a bus station where I witnessed a person swearing after missing the bus because he was late for work. The phrase he used when swearing was shit I am fucked. The same day I went to visit the locker room of a certain school where I heard lots of abusive swearing. Some students were quarrelling, and one of them used a swearing phrase. The swearing phrase he used was get the fuck out of here! On March 7th, I visited a football pitch to watch a football match. People were using lots of swearing phrases and words. The person sitting next to me uttered the word shit when the team he was supporting failed to score a goal. Other people used phrases like oh my God when a player failed to score a penalty. On March 10th, I went to a neighboring pub where I heard lots of abusive swearing. People were using abusive swearing such as mother fucker, get the fuck out of here and fuck off. I was surprised to see the people who were told these words were extremely calm and did not react negatively. On March 15th, I heard my neighbor lamenting that he had lost his keys. The phrase he used to express his emotions was God damn it. At a traffic jam in the city, a driver bumped into another driver’s car. I heard the driver come out the car uttering the phrase hell shit! On March 17th, I visited a school where student were sitting for their exams. Just after the students completed the exams, I heard a student complaining that he was confused during exam time and he uttered the phrase what the fuck? Works Cited Anderson, Lars & Trudgill, Peter. Bad Language. 2010 Battistella, Edwin. Bad Language: Are Some Words Better Than Other? New York: Oxford University Press. 2005 Edmonds, Graham. Bad Language: Words and Phrases To Avoid In Business. New York: South Ban Publishing. 2009 Langer, Nils & Davies, Winifred. The Making Of Bad Language: Lay Linguistic Stigmatizations In German, Past And Present. New York: The University Of Michigan. 2006. Read More