Taboo language surrounds us in modern day English and what I want to know is: Why are they so bad? Swear words are simply arbitrary jumbles of letters considered the devil's language by many, yet we all find ourselves using them on a regular basis. Swear words are things you feel you shouldn't say, or restrict yourself from saying in certain contexts or situations. Personally I love swearing, there's nothing like a cry of "wanking shit nugget" to release some anger.
According to an online linguist; swearing is explained basically as representing the social group, social status and to express emotion in a negative situation. I disagree. Swearing is used largely to display a range of emotions; whether it's a stubbed toe or your country winning the world cup. There can be no social class label on using swear words, because most people use them.
In addition, many consider swearing to be a sign of a limited vocabulary, but I disagree. We all do it, so to criticise would be hypocritical. Muttering 'fuck' after receiving a paper cut doesn't distinguish whether you're lacking intelligence as much as not swearing doesn't make you a genius. Steven Fry opposes this strongly too. Here he explains why and how swearing is not a sign of limited vocabulary, and if Steven Fry has a limited vocabulary; then I am a moron.
Is it the phonetics of swear words which trigger distaste in our minds? For example, the most detested word in the English language, cunt – is made up of two short, sharp sounds and a glottle stop to allow the word to be spat rather than said. The explosion of letters leave the mouth to form distasteful a word, which people don't understand; but just don't like the sound of.
The words 'twat' and 'cunt' are simply synonyms for the female genitalia, so why do people find them so repulsive? And where did they come from? The 'C-word' is derived from the word 'quna' meaning 'queen' in ancient Iraq according to this website. So really being called a cunt can in fact be given, and taken as a compliment.
We live in a world inhabited by taboo language, and often we forget that our use of swear words does actually offend people. These words are used so frequently, I think we have become de-sensitised by them, so much so that calling your friend a 'good for nothing fucker' could now be considered funny and a joke by all that overhear. So think about this next time you are avoiding using taboo language; why? What is it about this jumble of random letters that is considered so offensive and why should I avoid saying them? Is it because it's unnecessary to use them. Bollox, it's unnecessary to wear stripy gloves and it's unnecessary to have an Action Man pillow case, but that's life right?
By Marcus Powell-Cullingford
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