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“The Nature of Profanity”
Presented by Richard Dowsett

Profanity (A.K.A. cursing, cussing, dirty words, swearing, obscene language, strong language, foul language, obscenity, expletives, vulgarism, vulgarity, or simply strong words) involves the use of notionally offensive words for a variety of purposes, including:

1.       to demonstrate disrespect or negativity

2.       to relieve pain

3.       to express a strong emotion

4.       as a grammatical intensifier or emphasis

5.       to express informality or conversational intimacy.

6.       to signal a change in the current discourse.

In formal or polite social situations, undirected profanity can be considered rudeness (a violation of social norms), directed profanity can be the grounds for discipline or sanction (e.g. firing from a job), and in some religious groups it is considered a sin with punishments up to and including death. Profanity includes slurs, but there are many insults that do not use swear words.

Profanity has different sources in different languages according to what is taboo in the local culture. The main source areas for profanity are:

·       Religious based profanity. This involves desecration of the sacred, blasphemy or taking the Lord's name in vain, which is one of the Commandments. Many religions also prohibit the casting of a curse that generally wishes harm on another person. Christianity can also be seen as prohibiting oaths that invoke God’s name because, as fallible beings, we are likely to break that oath so now we have involved the deity in a lie.  

·       Human sexual activity. Depictions of acts related to sex and descriptions of genitalia or connecting either of these to targeted individuals is profanity. The profanity is intensified the more taboo the sexual act and the more graphic the description. Some particularly inflammatory profanity includes references to prostitution, incest, bestiality or phrases that question a person’s virility, purity or parentage.

·       Bodily Functions. Any language that brings taboo bodily functions or body parts into common parlance can be considered profanity, especially those which produce disgust, such as the foul odor of excrement.

The seriousness of the profanity (how “strong” the language is) is determined by many factors including:

1.       The specific word chosen – “Shit” is one of the most venerable English swear words that transgresses against the disgust taboo concerning. But one could lessen the impact by using “crap” or “poop” or “feces” to the point where it may not even continue to be profane.

2.       The Vocal Characteristics – The way a word is said in terms of tone, volume and emotional content, can alter profanity levels.

3.       Direction – curse words directed at someone are considered more seriously profane than words spoken generally. The ones personally targeted are the most serious of all.

Questions:

1.       What is your philosophy on swearing? How much do you use it, under what circumstances and for what purposes? Are there guidelines you follow?

2.       How does other people’s swearing affect you? What judgements do you find yourself making about the swearer, if any?

3.       As a Humanist what are the benefits and drawbacks of Profanity?

4.       How do you believe our Humanist Principles guide us in the use of Profanity?

5.       What words have lost all or some of their profanity in your lifetime? What words have become profane or more profane?

6.       Have you ever used a “Minced oath” like “Jeez” or “Cheese and Crackers”, “H-E-two hockey sticks”, or “Feck”? Why or why not?

7.       What’s your favourite non-English language profanity?