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shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

This sprang out of the thread on PC. Questions on words that usually have vulgar contained in their dictionary definitions:

1. Has anyone else reflected linguistically on how most taboo words begin with either a plosive or a fricative. Can anything be deduced from this observation such as whether diphthongs are more polite?

2. Why is a rude word rude? Who deems it so? How is it that, in the course of time, a perfectly acceptable word makes the transition to infamy?

3. Akin to the tree falling in a forest when no one's around, does a rude word of rudeness factor F, uttered in language L1, maintain F when uttered in the presence of speakers of language L2? If not, does F=0 in such a case?

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Smooj,

Not that i've reflected linguistically on this topic or anything, but i'd like to attempt an answer to one of your questions...

My response to question #2 is that maybe the reason a rude word is rude is because of where it's located in our brains? Apparently swear words are located in the deep brain (seriously that's what it's called! - this is in reference to aphasics) section where emotions and instinctual sounds/words are located. I know there's a need for more research but this is what "they" think for the moment.

As for the "who deems it so" question...could it be that no one actually deemed it so? Since language is alive and is evolving, perhaps the swear words did to. Out of all the words that have sprung into existance, or have died, swear words have survived which indicates that there is a function for them in language (this is being inferred by following Pinker's Language instinct theory which i hope i've interpreted correctly).

OR, i could just be blowing a lot of hot air outta my arse Wink

also, what in the world would make you put dypthongs and polite together?

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

speaking of swearing...

http://www.insultmonger.com/generators/index.htm

I'm really not proud of how long i spent generating insults for myself!
The "transmonger" was my favourite Shocked

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 2:30 pm Post subject: Well, I swear

Interesting web sites on the origins and history of some "bad" words.

( WARNING: Do NOT visit these sites if "bad" language offends/distresses you. )

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A753527

http://www.bizarremag.com/ask/words.php

And this main site, which also has a number of other ( I think ) interesting articles about language:

http://www.psyche.com/psyche/links/words.html

Regards,
John

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

My evening class have observed the frequency of F in everyday London usage, but it's not entirely appropiate for me to use it freely in the classroom.

So, occasionally, we use "flip" as a substitute. Let's say, for example, the sentence in the book says

"Maria told George that he really should see a doctor."

A conversion will take place, whereby "flip" is inserted in every available slot, as a way of demonstrating the different possibilities of usage...

"Flipping Maria told flipping George that he really flipping should see a flipping doctor."

Getting to shmooj's original point, "bad words" in English almost always have a "harsher" sound, but this isn't true of all languages is it?

"Puta" hardly has the same punch as "B*itch", and "Merde" sounds quite poetic compared to "Sh*t".

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

The preponderance of swear words in our languages underlines a need, at some fundamental level, to be rude.. to shock or offend others or just to let off steam. We credit these words as weightier than others when all that is needed,in most cases, is an adjective. I choose a language to cuss in that is unfamiliar to my students so that when they don't understand me there is a reason. In actual fact they do, but not the language.
What is wrong with Odd's bodkins or forsooth?
As for s.h.i.t', S.h.i.t.e has more poetic resonance with a longer sense of desolation than the shorter 'southern' version.
I have taught the swear word lesson. It is of interest and nice to know what some local is calling you while smiling sardonically. I equate these words to the pressure cooker before it explodes and as Shmooj states it is the close mouthed tightness that gives way to an escaping of pent up energy that culminates in a crunch of the tongue against the palate with only a short vowel to separate them.
Is anyone on board aware if there is a particular nation that is more prone to swearing than others? I do not mean the forty names for vomit or such diversions but more along the lines of Tourette's.
Did I just write that?
What a load of small bottles
(bollux)

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

dduck · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 422 Location: In the middle

george61 · Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 59 Location: china

Strange that most of the "worst" swear words in English seem to involve sex,its functions,and bits and pieces. Is it the same in other languages? It doesn't seem to be in Chinese,though I have only a limited "bad" vocab.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

THe English lingo is notorious for its wide-spread use swear words that connote sex or bodily functions not normally deemed acceptable in formal gatherings. It's to do with religious taboos.
And only the English lingo puts on asterisk figleaves to "hide" or disfigure swear words - interestingly, only native English speakers know pertinently what "f**k!" means!
A case that prolves that the more you ban bad thoughts the more they are going to haunt you!