2006-12-19 21:31:38 · 20 answers · asked by spannerwoodspanner 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Languages are constantly changing with the times, but I don't think enough people speak English with the precision and creativity that they used to. In a way, I think it is to do with linguistic 'laziness' - they can't be bothered to think of a more accurate word, so resort to the obvious.
2006-12-19 21:35:01 · answer #1 · answered by Funky Little Spacegirl 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The tired idea of swearing being indicative of a poor vocabulary is a sweeping generalization that has never been proven true.
People who use swear words profusely may indeed have a poor vocabulary but not everyone who swears is a functional illiterate. If anything, people who would exclude any type of words - be it swear words or agricultural terms - are purposely dwindling down their vocabulary, that in itself would be more indicative of a wilted vocabulary than the appropriate use of select words.
It's a swear word's power that makes it so irrepressible and indispensable. Writers have used swearing throughout the years to get a point across and so-called 'gutter language' is no stranger to the realm of classical literature. Shakespearean plays, for example, were considered beyond bawdy and downright offensive when first released. Shakespeare seemed particularly smitten with throwing the word "Zounds" around, as it appears some 23 times in his works, with 10 of those occurring in 1 Henry IV alone.
Of course, now Zounds sounds like something you might expect to find in a dog eared crackerjack crime fighter comic from the 1950s but, at the time, it was one of the most offensive words of the day.
2006-12-20 05:36:03 · answer #2 · answered by dollydealer1 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The standard of English in the UK has dropped. When I was at school the word 'nice' was forbidden, not because it's a swear word, but because it shows a total lack of imagination and knowledge of the language. So, if one now says, 'It's f***ing brilliant!', one could also say, 'It's fantastic!' And way back when, if I wrote 'We had a nice day' I could just as easily have written,'We passed the day pleasantly and in good company.' That may sound a bit Jane Austen, but I sometimes think there is only one adjective in the English language and that's the 'F' word used positively and negatively. 'F great' or 'F awful'.
I've used the F word. Useful for getting free from unnecessary porters in foreign lands.
2006-12-20 06:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There has always been swear words. They change with the times and fashions. The French swear a lot too, they can be quite creative in that domain. So the English language hasn't reverted to F words and the like, just moved on.
2006-12-20 13:12:12 · answer #4 · answered by Stef 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What makes you say "reverted?" The word can be used in many ways, including as a noun, verb, adverb, and adjective. If anything, the English language and its speakers are making progress--it goes to show that people nowadays are sophisticated enough to pick up on subtle variations in context and still understand the meaning of a sentence.
With the four obvious grammatical errors in your question, I'd say YOU'RE the one moving backwards. You should have asked: "Why has the English language reverted to the f- word and the like?"
2006-12-20 05:38:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, in the country of England my friend, people have scrapped punctuation, and other suchlike things. In the northern region, people have resorted to the easy way (possibly the lazy way) such as: 'innit, bruvv, man,'...you get the picture.
Note: This is only a proportion. Everywhere in England, there are people who keep the traditional English language strong.
P.S. I am not english, but i have lived there for a while, before moving back to my homeland, Ireland.
2006-12-20 05:42:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Everybody uses the F word. Tv personalities such as Lorraine Kelly have used it on the telly.
Sarah O - f@*k off back to Ireland and listen to how many irish use the F word.
2006-12-20 05:59:05 · answer #7 · answered by Tabbyfur aka patchy puss 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
People use it who have a problem communicating and expressing their feelings to others. Usually uneducated people who can't find the proper word or those with absolutely no society skills what-so-ever.
2006-12-20 05:43:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I suggest you change the crowd you hang with, to a group with better language skills.
2006-12-20 05:34:01 · answer #9 · answered by Jolly1 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
English have always been fond of Adjectives. What can I say.
2006-12-20 05:33:51 · answer #10 · answered by soniaatcalifornia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋