Swearing

Swear words also known as profanities are words, gestures or expressions that are socially interpreted to be insulting and rude as a sign or disrespect. According to Steven Pinker in his book 'The stuff of thought', there are five different types of profanities; dysphemistic, abusive, idiomatic, emphatic and cathartic. Pinker also believed the content of profane language can be broke down into categories of negative emotions including supernatural, bodily effluvia and organs, diseases deaths and infirmity, sexuality and disfavoured people or groups. http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/go-pinker-yourself

Personally I believe it could be questioned whether one type of profanity is worse than another. For example carthartic profanities are used when something bad happens such as dropping a plate. In this instance no other person is being directly insulted in comparison to abusive profanity. Therefore is all swearing bad if it means no harm to another person. In comparison, if to this idea, if a person was to use cathartic profanities in the presence of for instance my grandparents or younger siblings I would be offended.

In 1939 'Gone with the wind' by Margaret Mitchell was the first to use profanity in a major American film. "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Aj7lkIHp0&feature=related This was voted number one movie line of all time by the American film Institute. From media attention such as this I believe it presents why swearing is somewhat socially acceptable because when famous actors who are role models to many are doing it, it reinforces the behaviour and people are more likely to do it.

When looking at individual words that are said to be swear words it is found that many priginate from other meanings. For example bastard and bitch both have a non offensive meaning, therefore should these words be labelled bad when it is still the same word but in a different context for a double meaning. An example of this could be rather them naming a female canine a bitch a person may state "Life's a bitch", does this then become bad? Another example is the term 'Crap'. 'Crap' is said to originate from the name of the person who created the toilet Thomas Crapper. Therefore if it is simply a last name which refers to excrement, is it really bad as there is not much difference therefore between "crap" and "poo"!!

Even though there are many arguments to why swearing should not be deemed bad there are cases which would argue against this. For example according to religion it is a sin to swear therefore should all swear words be deemed bad. Another example includes, when in an interview it is very unlikely that a person would choose to swear. To know not to use profanities in situations such as these does it not insinuate that there is a bad factor attached to it's use.

Personally I believe when a person chooses to swear due to the discovered shock value reaction it can create through it's usage. Personally I would prefer someone to swear then act out physically on emotions, however there is a time and place when it should be used, out of respect for people whose religion or culture is against it. Generally I believe people need freedom, the Government and law already try to restrict people from doing so much therefore if swearing gives a person freedom of speech, why not.