Language is one of our most popular communication tools. We use it without thinking about it. We often use it without thinking!
Everyday, we chat, talk and exchange, wagging our tongues and engaging with others. Even more so now with texting, tweeting and instagraming, we cannot resist to communicate with others, even total strangers. We send out into the digital world our thoughts and feelings in a constant flow to tell everyone what is going on for us. And then, we wait for the replies, and the likes and the hearts as if our very breath depended on it.

In the process our language has evolved. We have added new phrases and abbreviations, new meanings and stolen half words from other languages. Last year, the Oxford dictionary added 500 new words and the Merriam and Webster dictionary are still asking for new phrases, senses and words. Language is growing and we are responsible for the changes. We invent and create new words all the time. Inspired by events, our children, what we hear and what we see, and often by how we feel.

And, we love to spice it up, to add flavour and colour to our verbal form of expression. In our uninhibited state, we enjoy ‘dirty talk’.  In fact, ‘Dirty language’ fills us with excitement, and although forbidden and prohibited, and even punishable in some locations, we humans find cursing and cussing a buzz. And then, when it is forbidden and the possibility that we can getaway with it, makes us double up the expletives.

– Swearing was invented as a compromise between running away and fighting – Finley Peter Dunne

To swear or not to swear, is it a question? Let me first add this to the mix. Political correctness (P.C.) has seeped into our lives…and our language. Apparently, it has tied our tongues, slapped our lips shut and curbed our free expression.

Many countries have put into place laws to punish those who invite or practise hate speech.  It has become necessary to enforce punishments to stop verbal and physical abuse. Our use of language has raced out of control. We cannot hold back our resentment, jealousy even our hatred of others, of those different to us. Ironically, freedom of speech did not have this included in its charter.

A study on swearing and language shows that people swear to cope with emotional stress, including pain, anger and aggression, surprise and shock. Mothers giving birth,  receiving bad news even good news. In moments of  truth, critical points, emergency and crisis spitting out some expletives is natural.  Swearing, as scientists have now proved is not about low intelligence or IQ but about expressiveness.

How do you add emotion to your vocabulary? Do you let rip your passion with ‘rude words’? Do you spice up your sentences with some colourful language? Have you let go of the ‘Rules from Schools’ around swearing? I love to add some fireworks to my speech, and I also sprinkle it with some tangy words from other languages!

Swearing is part of every language but we need to be imaginative, creative and somehow eloquent when we curse. Swearing releases emotions, adds passion, frees up tension, especially when we add humour to the mix. Here is a hilarious short video by Osho, Baba Rajneesh,  a highly respected author and healer. He talks about a most fascinating swear word.  (it has a slow start, get comfortable and enjoy!)

To Swear or not to Swear, is it a question?

If you feel you want to improve your written and spoken language skills, and the ability to express yourself with more passion and pep, Click on the chat button below and Let’s Talk. You can book in 30 mins free chat.