The joy of swearing | Geraldine Horan | TEDxUCLWomen

Summary

This engaging talk explores the art and science of swearing, examining its neurological roots, emotional expression, and social implications. It delves into the physiological effects of swearing, such as increased heart rate and potential pain relief, and discusses its role in bonding, affection, and offense. The speaker highlights the versatility and creativity of swearing, its cultural significance, and the ethical considerations of using offensive language. With humor and insight, the talk encourages a mindful approach to swearing, urging listeners to swear wisely while acknowledging its power and impact.

Takeaways

• 😯 Swearing is the use of offensive or taboo language for expressive purposes, often seen as a response to pain or frustration.
• 🧠 Research indicates that swearing is processed in the lower brain, specifically in the limbic system, which is linked to emotions.
• 👶 Children are quick to pick up and remember swear words, showing that swearing is a part of human development from a young age.
• 📈 Swearing can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can be beneficial as a release of tension.
• 🌡 Swearing has been found to act as a form of pain relief, helping individuals tolerate discomfort for longer periods.
• 🚫 Not all swear words have the same impact; frequent use can diminish the analgesic effect of swearing.
• 🤔 Swearing serves as a creative and versatile form of expression, with the potential to be used in various linguistic forms.
• 🌐 The 'f-word' has become a global phenomenon, being adopted and adapted by speakers of languages other than English.
• 🏛 English is seen as cosmopolitan and prestigious, which may influence the adoption of English swear words in other languages.
• 🤬 Swearing in a non-native language may not carry the same emotional weight, affecting the intensity of the expression.
• 👥 Swearing can have social functions, such as bonding with others or signaling group membership, but it can also be used to offend or insult.
• 🚫 The ethical dimension of swearing involves the potential for verbal violence and the importance of considering the impact on others' dignity.
• 📊 Attitudes towards swear words vary, with some words becoming more or less offensive over time, reflecting societal changes and sensitivities.
• 🚫 There is a societal hierarchy regarding who is allowed to swear and in what contexts, with different levels of tolerance for men, women, and children.
• 📺 Media and politics often restrict swearing, making its occurrence in these spaces notable and sometimes shocking.
• 🇩🇪 In some countries like Germany, swearing can have legal consequences, such as fines for swearing at a police officer.
• 📚 Swearing is a complex and powerful form of communication that requires responsibility and wisdom in its use.

Q & A

What is the speaker's definition of swearing?

Swearing is defined by the speaker as the use of offensive or taboo language for expressive purposes.

How does the speaker describe the neurological aspect of swearing?

Swearing takes place in a different part of the brain, specifically in the lower brain than the limbic system, which processes emotions.

What is an example of a German expression that relates to swearing?

The German expression 'schwein' is mentioned, which is a bit gross and can be related to a bowel movement, illustrating the speaker's point about the expressive nature of swearing.

Why do young children often quickly pick up on swear words?

Young children are quick to pick up on swear words because swearing is something that accompanies us from a young age and is processed in the emotional part of the brain.

What physiological effects does swearing have on the body?

Swearing can increase heart rate and elevate blood pressure, which is generally considered a positive release of tension.

How does swearing act as a form of pain relief?

Swearing can act as an analgesic, helping people tolerate pain better, as demonstrated in an experiment where participants could keep their hands in icy water longer when swearing.

What is the versatility of swearing in language?

Swearing is versatile and can be used in various parts of speech, such as interjections, exclamations, and even combined to create a treasure trove of expressions.

Why has the f-word become a successful export in other languages?

The f-word has become a successful export because English is considered cosmopolitan and prestigious, and the f-word is not considered as offensive by non-native speakers.

What is the ethical dimension of swearing mentioned by the speaker?

The ethical dimension of swearing is that it can be used to offend and insult people, committing an act of verbal violence and transgressing social interaction rules.

How have attitudes towards certain swear words changed over time?

Attitudes towards swear words have evolved, with some words becoming more offensive over time, such as the n-word, while society becomes less concerned with religious swearing.

What are some of the historical punishments for swearing?

Historical punishments for swearing included having one's tongue slit, ear chopped off, or even being put to death for the offense.

What is the speaker's advice on swearing?

The speaker advises to continue swearing but to do so wisely, acknowledging the power and responsibility that comes with using swear words.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ The Science and Social Aspects of Swearing

The speaker introduces the topic of swearing by defining it as the use of offensive or taboo language for expressive purposes. They discuss the neurological and physiological aspects, mentioning that swearing activates the limbic system, which processes emotions. The speaker shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how swearing is a natural response to pain or frustration and how it can serve as a form of social bonding and expression of affection. They also touch upon the potential health benefits of swearing, such as its role as a pain reliever, and note that the effects are more pronounced for those who do not swear frequently.

05:04

🌍 The Versatility and Global Impact of Swearing

This paragraph delves into the creative and versatile nature of swearing, using the 'f-word' as an example of how a single word can be employed in various grammatical forms. The speaker highlights the global influence of English swear words, particularly the 'f-word,' which has been adopted by non-English speakers and integrated into their languages. They discuss the reasons behind this adoption, such as the prestige associated with English and the varying levels of offense taken by different cultures. The speaker also explores the phenomenon of swearing in non-native languages and its reduced emotional impact.

10:06

🤔 Ethical Considerations and Attitudes Toward Swearing

The speaker addresses the ethical dimension of swearing, noting that it can be used to offend and insult, constituting a form of verbal violence. They emphasize the importance of being aware of the potential harm caused by discriminatory swear words based on race, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. A survey from the UK is mentioned to illustrate changing attitudes toward different swear words, with a particular focus on the increasing offensiveness of racist or homophobic language. The speaker also discusses societal norms and restrictions regarding swearing, including gender differences and media regulations.

15:09

💸 The Consequences and Control of Swearing

In the final paragraph, the speaker discusses the historical and contemporary consequences of swearing, ranging from physical punishment to fines for swearing at authorities in some countries. They also comment on the persistence of social disapproval and the stigmatization of frequent swearers. The speaker concludes by acknowledging the power and fascination of swearing while advocating for responsible use, encouraging the audience to swear wisely and with consideration for its impact.

Keywords

💡swearing

Swearing, as discussed in the video, is the use of offensive or taboo language for expressive purposes. It is a multifaceted concept that serves various social and emotional functions. For example, it can be a response to pain or surprise, as illustrated when the speaker recounts hitting their thumb with a hammer. It is also associated with the brain's limbic system, which processes emotions, indicating its deep-rooted role in human expression.

💡neurological and physiological

The neurological and physiological aspects of swearing refer to the scientific study of how the brain and body respond to and utilize swearing. The video mentions that swearing is processed in a different part of the brain, specifically the limbic system, which is linked to emotions. This aspect is crucial for understanding the instinctive and emotional nature of swearing.

💡expressive purposes

Expressive purposes in the context of swearing refer to the use of language to convey strong emotions or reactions. The video emphasizes that swearing is not just about using offensive language but is a way to express intense feelings, such as frustration or surprise, which is evident when the speaker talks about the immediate response to stubbing one's toe.

💡social activity

Swearing as a social activity highlights its role in bonding and signaling group membership. The video points out that swearing can be used to establish camaraderie or to show affection in a playful manner, such as greeting a close friend with a mild swear word, which signifies familiarity and comfort within the relationship.

💡pain relief

The concept of swearing as pain relief is explored through an experiment mentioned in the video, where participants who used swear words were able to tolerate cold water for longer periods. This suggests that swearing can have a physiological effect, acting as a form of analgesic to help manage pain.

💡creative activity

Swearing as a creative activity underscores the versatility and inventive ways in which swear words can be used in language. The video gives the example of the f-word, which can be adapted into various grammatical forms to create a wide array of expressions, much like the adaptability of a black dress in fashion.

💡cultural export

The term 'cultural export' in the script refers to the adoption of English swear words, such as the f-word, by speakers of other languages. This is demonstrated with a German TV advert example, showing how the f-word has been integrated into different linguistic and cultural contexts, reflecting the global influence of English.

💡ethical dimension

The ethical dimension of swearing addresses the potential harm and offense that can be caused by using swear words. The video discusses how swearing can be a form of verbal violence, infringing on social norms and potentially hurting others' dignity, especially when it involves discriminatory language.

💡attitudes to swear words

Attitudes to swear words are the societal perceptions and judgments about the use of offensive language. The video references a survey that ranked swear words by their offensiveness, reflecting changing social values and increased sensitivity to certain types of offensive language, such as racist or homophobic slurs.

💡verbal violence

Verbal violence is a term used in the video to describe the act of swearing at or about someone, which is considered an aggressive and disrespectful form of communication. It is likened to a 'face threatening act' in linguistics, indicating that it breaks social norms and can damage a person's self-image.

💡swear wisely

The advice to 'swear wisely' encapsulates the video's final message, which is to acknowledge the power and impact of swearing while using it responsibly. It suggests that while swearing can serve various purposes, it is important to be mindful of its potential to offend or harm, aligning with the ethical considerations discussed earlier.

Highlights

Swearing is the use of offensive or taboo language for expressive purposes.

Swearing takes place in a different part of the brain, specifically the limbic system that processes emotions.

Young children are quick to pick up and remember swear words.

Swearing can accompany us from childhood to old age, even when suffering from dementia.

Swearing can increase heart rate and blood pressure, releasing tension.

Swearing can act as a form of pain relief, but only if not done frequently.

Swearing is a creative and versatile activity, with many different uses and expressions.

The F-word has become a successful export, used and integrated by speakers of other languages.

Swearing in a non-native language doesn't have the same emotional impact as in one's first language.

Swearing can be used for social bonding, signaling group membership, and expressing affection.

Swearing can also be used to offend and insult, committing an act of verbal violence.

Swearing attitudes vary, with some words becoming more or less offensive over time.

Swearing is more tolerated when done by men and less accepted when done by women or children.

There are restrictions on swearing in media and politics, making it shocking when heard.

Swearing can be costly in some countries, with fines for swearing at authorities.

Swearing is powerful and carries responsibility; it should be done wisely.

Transcripts

and what am I gonna swear what am I

gonna swear about what am I gonna speak

about I wasn't just giving that away I'm

going to speak about swim I'm going to

talk about wine we swear and how we

sweat the joy of swearing or to some

follow-on from a previous talk this girl

can sweat so I must warn you I am going

to know the total bit this evening and

strong language has been made or used in

the making of this talk so you have been

involved I am sorry about that

so my first question is what is swearing

well I would say the swearing is the use

of offensive or taboo language for

expressive purposes we swear for example

if we experience take think about what

you do and what you say if you hit your

thumb with a hammer or think of what

happens if you stub your turn now I work

with the German language quite a lot and

in German there is the expression swim

a little bit gross but if you think

about it if you stop that turn and shut

it does look a little bit and sound a

little bit and possibly even feel a

little bit like about similar to a bowel

movement you feel much better once exact

so quite a lot of research has been done

on the neurological and physiological

side of swearing so a currently swearing

takes place in a different part of the

brain two other types of swearing takes

place in the lower brain than the limbic

system the part that processes emotions

and that's perhaps one explanation why

swearing is something that accompanies

us from the cradle to the grave if you

think about young children they're often

very very quick to pick up on swear

words and to remember them now to give

you an example from from my own

experience I remember several years ago

driving along in the car with my younger

son in the back and somebody pulled out

in front of me unexpectedly and I yelled

that great a few seconds later for my

son to chime in with yay douchebag

not only is swearing a response to a

deacon silliness it's also a social

activity we've got what happens when

we're done and before I move on to that

as I said accompanies us in old age so

we often have the example of people who

suffer from dementia and they're not

able to talk otherwise but they are able

to swear so we have examples those very

sweet little old ladies who have never

been known in their entire lives to say

anything dirty suddenly begin to swear

like so that's that's the the other part

on the end of our lives what happens to

us when we swear and by that I mean what

happens to our bodies well when we swear

our heart rate increases and our blood

pressure is elevated but that's

generally considered to be a good thing

because that means we're releasing some

sort of tension swearing is also

considered to be good for you because it

can act as pain relief as an analgesic

now you might have heard of an

experiment that was carried out a few

years ago in which participants were

asked to plunge their hands into an icy

container a container of icy water and

those that uttered swear words were able

to keep their hands in them in water for

longer and were able to tolerate the

pain more but this only works if you are

not a frequent swear it's like me you

swear perfectly then the benefit will

not be able to greatly so swearing is

good for your health being either health

campaign

another question is how do we sweat

how can languished language help us

express our emotions now I've put here

swearing swearing and another word for

it describes an idiot it's a little bit

stronger

and it just goes to show but sometimes

the c-word alone just isn't enough so we

have swearing as a creative activity

swearing is also very versatile if you

can bear it

think about the f-word why not all the

different ways any kind of parts of

speech you can use it as an interjection

exclamation you can shout [ __ ] it you

[ __ ] my job use reaching vacation you

can take the f-word and you can put it

together and you treasure of expressions

you use you can actually think of the

f-word is the suddenly mystic equivalent

of the black dress

so we have the f-word now what's really

interesting is that the f-word has

become an extremely successful export

you will find that speakers of languages

other than English will often use the

f-word and integrate into their own

language as I hope this particular

example from a German TV advert for a

range of low-calorie foods will

demonstrate this estudia of Mississippi

disease such as him implying level devar

and even on a la mode of Sagada lost

have to ask analysts color inserts in

the last of alpha metal dust cans to

invest at kinesin Tendo dusted for a

loom Thomas garnets life and pursue such

a diet

and I think [ __ ] the diet is essential

but the question is why do you use the

f-word well one reason is that for

German speakers English is considered a

very cosmopolitan language it's very

prestigious that's very cool the other

reason is but German speakers don't

consider the f-word should be

particularly offensive it's a bit

cheaper but it's not particularly

shocking and with me but when you swear

in a language that is not your first or

native language swearing doesn't tend to

have the same effect as it does your

first language and this is particularly

interesting if you learn another

language formally say at school or in an

evening class why is it but when we

learn a new language we're taught how to

say no polite phrase is Mikey excuse me

look you possibly tell me the way to the

station but we're never taught hey you

just drink you just spilled my drink you

bastard it would not be helpful I'll be

depriving language learners of the

ability to express themselves fully or

perhaps we should leave well alone the

jury is still out on this question for

for those of us that teach language now

another perspective swearing so we can

see that it's used for expressive

purposes it also has a social function

we can use swear words to bond with

other people we can signal that we are

part of a particular group swearing and

also we use to express affection so if

you greet a close friend or a family

member with something like hi there face

wanker

oh really say is I really pleased to see

you so it is important in that sense but

and there is a big but and now I say

that that sounds really rude we mustn't

forget that swearing is used to offend

people and insult people and here is

where we have come to be the ethical

dimension of swearing if you swear at

someone or even about someone you are

actually committing an act of verbal

violence it's what we call in

linguistics a face threatening act and

what that means is you transgress the

usual rules of social interaction and

you impinge upon someone's self-image

and their dignity so it's worthwhile

remembering that while a lot of swear

words draw on sex and bodily functions

and parts of the body they can also use

words that are racist homophobic

misogynistic and discriminate against

people on the basis of religious faith

and discriminate against the disabled is

something to bear in mind now what are

our attitudes to swear words well a few

years ago a survey was conducted in the

UK and people were asked about their

attitudes to certain swear words and

then the fun part is they were asked to

rank them in terms of severity which

ones were the most offensive and which

ones release offense and here is an

example from that list rather

unsurprisingly the c-word makes the top

of the list followed closely then if we

scrolling down on the box now we have

Jesus Christ crap now what is

interesting about this list is not only

that these words are active but also

that actually a person yes some changes

have taken place the n-word for example

has moved up in terms of effectiveness

it's now considered quite rightly more

offensive than it was just a few years

ago and from that we can see but in the

UK we tend to - or we're becoming less

worried about profanity about religious

swearing and we're becoming more aware

of the fact that using swear words which

are racist or homophobic or discriminate

against the disabled or people's

religious or ethnic identity it's just

not acceptable however we remain

slightly afraid of the c-word so as we

can see swearing is a violent act in

some respects but it is also an

expressive need we often seek to control

swearing and to punish it in some shape

or form now in the past people were

punished for swearing by having their

tongue slipped for example you could

have your ear chopped off or you could

be put to death no we don't do that

anymore thankfully but our disapproval

remains we still think of swearing

something dirty something that

contaminates our song our mouths and our

minds we call people who swear a lot a

potty mouth or we tell people to wash

out their mouths with soap so we still

don't regard very highly we also have a

sub hierarchy of who is allowed to swear

and who isn't

so swearing is generally more tolerated

amongst men than it is or when it's done

by men and when it is done by women we

don't generally like to hear children's

swear that's at the time we also have

restrictions on swearing in the media

and in politics which means that when we

hear it in the media it is quite

shocking as I hope this example will

demonstrate what's happening in the

course of the next hour well first up

after the news are going to be talking

to Jeremy come and hunt the culture

secretary about broadband a very

strategic and finally swearing is

expensive in Germany for example if you

swear at a police officer or any state

employee that you are facing a fine

websites will very helpfully provide

examples of swear words that your sort

of financial fine that you were looking

at and I've actually translated a few

examples my ass in German you might say

when heroes and you need to think you

can get away with being clever even if

you say I would really like to do

you're still

so we've seen that swearing we have a

need for swearing Romans expressive its

creative it's sometimes funny always

insulting and endlessly fascinating if

you have ever found yourselves looking

up swear words in a dictionary you

aren't the first I you certainly won't

be the last but it's important to

remember that swearing is powerful and

that means that when we swear we carry

herself that certainly responsibility so

my advice is to you carry on swearing

but remember to swear wisely

you

you