After channel surfing a few Canadian reality shows I noted something of minor concern, allot of the dialog is bleeped out.

Canadian reality shows differ slightly from US ones. Tallent shows aside Candian reality shows do not realy pit one person against a group, we use a topic of challenge. The most popular being Mantracker (team of two in bush covering some 40 km with two guys on horseback tracking them), Canada's Worst Driver (obstical courses run by spouses in passenger seat who recomended their spouse as a crappy drivers) and Canada's Worst Handyman (same as driving but with building projects).

If I can over simplify I have noted US reality shows (their participants) rarely swear at their compeditors, probably not condusive to the game, the odd time it slips out and looks out of place. I have noted Ausies like their very quaint sayings to get them through verbal expression. I have no access to other countries TV....so what is it like where you live?

Again probably oversimplifying it but buy pitting Canadians against tasks and objects it becomes very easy to just call that garbage can you should have missed with your car a *#!'in mother @*&%. Yes mothers are not even safe. Silly thing is they only bleep the bad words leaving in the mothers and we are all lip readers so nothing is lost.

But if you want down in the dirt swearing check out Mantracker (good website). Two crusty cowboys on horseback who love their horses more than their prey and can string some colourfull dialog when the prey messes with them 'darn' horses. Or the prey bellying through a swamp, shivering in a cave at night or being surprized in the bush by a charging horse....good for some real descrptive comments. AS for the other two shows I can loose track of the point of the conversation because of the high percentage of bleeped words.

Problem is I can not say this is not typical Candian talk, Eh? How about in your country?

Swearing or not swearing is, as you say, cultural and also personal. This week the top authority on language and use of words in Norway, Finn Erik Vinje, said swearing is great. Because young people swear a lot, and it is part of a living language. Personally I don't like swearing. I was raised to know the fact that swearing means lack of words in your personal language. A couple of weeks ago I was walking far away in the deep forest, ended up in the mud, up to my feet, and all by myself, I used the number one swearing word in Norway, because I needed it right there and then. But in normal life, I don't need it, and I would be offended if someone used it. Swearing is ok when you have an accident, or if the Stones peak at some extreme level, like when Ronnie or Keith is just fantatic at a show, but day to day, I can live without it.

Bjornulf

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bv
I used the number one swearing word in Norway, because I needed it right there and then.

faen ass?

Have you watched "Real Housewives of Atlanta" (or Orange County)??? Hostility has been encouraged on so called reality shows since MTV intro'd their X-ers sharing an apartment show (name escapes me). I recall the debut season of the latter, with Puck the Pinata for the rest of the kids.

as a brit living in the states i've noticed a massive cultural difference regarding the level of acceptable swearing. It is part of my vocabulary (which is simply vast), a more active and versatile corner of which you will not find!

OLDKR

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oldkr
as a brit living in the states i've noticed a massive cultural difference regarding the level of acceptable swearing. It is part of my vocabulary (which is simply vast), a more active and versatile corner of which you will not find!

OLDKR

so which is it--is swearing more acceptable in the UK or the US? I have a hunch this is one area where the stereotype is inaccurate and that Brits swear more profusely than Americans.

I think the standards are dropping fast in both UK and USA, and swearing is on the rise. It does not bother me a bit, but I am aware it is offensive to many people so I avoid it in public. Children are less sheltered than they used to be, and less disciplined generally, I think this is where it starts.

it's a question of place. you swear when and where it's considered appropriate and acceptable. and i don't think it's cultural so much. plenty of swearing in the usa - but try it for instance in a corporate staff meeting, for instance, and see how long before you get a call from HR and a likely escort out the door....

far less tolerance here in the north eastern united states. I tell all of my staff at the point of hiring - profanity prevails, if that's an issue - say now, and go or forever hold your...

OLDKR

For the more scientifically minded, which I am not, here's an interesting article:

[pinker.wjh.harvard.edu]

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T&A
i - but try it for instance in a corporate staff meeting, for instance, and see how long before you get a call from HR and a likely escort out the door....

I think a good way to start off a meeting is to get up and say "Where the Bithces At???"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008-11-26 03:59 by ryanpow.

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ryanpow

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T&A
i - but try it for instance in a corporate staff meeting, for instance, and see how long before you get a call from HR and a likely escort out the door....

I think a good way to start off a meeting is to get up and say "Where the Bithces At???"

this is fine so long as you work for the SPCA

I have always kind of thought that their has always been too much made about swearing. I don't know much about the cultural differnces. Haven't been to very many countries to know. But I think intent is morw important than content. You can use a supposed swear word in jest. But the way you address someone and the meaning behind it,is more important than the words IMHO.

"It's just some friends of mine and they're busting down the door"

@#$%& @#$%& shit @#$%& of a @#$%&-damned @#$%& thread if you ask me

but no one @#$%& did i know so @#$%& you

love, beely

Recently I tip-toed into my 11 year old son's room late one night as he slept. He has a habit of kicking off the blankets while he sleeps, and because it was cold I wanted to pull the blanket back up over him.

But I accidently woke him up. He's doesn't swear and he's usually respectful and polite. Except that night... when I accidentally woke him up... in his half-sleep/half-awake state he exclaimed: "What the %$#! Dumb f*ck!"

He fell right back to sleep, and I tip-toed away laughing to myself.

We do certainly like to swear over here! It has become a lot more common to hear the dreaded c*nt in public. One of my Irish buddies used to use c*nt a lot.

You can into a pub and hear the usual Tourette's cases who just can't stop saying f@ck. Everyother word is f@ck. Again, some people do take offence but the days are long gone when people stop you in the street and say "Young man, wash your filthy mouth out with soap and water."

B@ll@cks, cr@p, sh@t, t!ts, p!ss, tw@t are all in common usage. Motherf*cker is not so common here. Also common are phrases such as 'flaps', 'beef curtains' and 'hairy axe wound' which is not strictly swearing but many find offensive.