Comment to Josh Noble's blog

Josh Noble's Original Entry

Fuck, well where do I start

Swearing can have both positive or negative effects on interactions, a lot of this difference comes down to context.
Social identity can resonate through the language used in interactions in social situations, it is evident that class, race and gender can be identified through language use in particular interactions. Therefore using bad language, profanities and expletives can be detrimental to an individuals social identity. If an individual was to swear and use bad language in a job application they would not get hired.. the same goes for constantly swearing in day to day social interactions.

I also believe (probably because I do it) that using profanities whist hanging out with friends in relaxed social settings, like going out for a few drinks, or hanging down at the beach, is acceptable. I mean you can throw a few words around in a conversation with your friends and the connotations do not necessarily have to be the same as when using the same word in another context. The most versatile word - 'Fuck' can be used so many different ways that in some cases its harshness or disrespectable connotations can be dropped. The same word can mean two extremely different things, but in context the prescribed meaning can be identified.

I found an interesting article that outlined the use of 'fuck' and 'cunt' in the Australian trade work place. It was interesting that it outlined why these words lost their connotations of being abusive and offensive nature. Instead they had a rapport-building function within their contexts. They (the tradies) also use these words to differentiate themselves from the rest of society, which i thought was quite interesting as I work at Bunnings and do see a lot of tradies using this type of language... now i know why (Mcleod, L 2011).

Comment:

I whole heartedly agree with Josh Noble’s Entry on the use of profanity and expletives. I too believe that the use of profane language is significantly dependent on the context in which it us used, therefore it can have both positive and negative implications depending on when, where and how it used.
In a positive and harmless context I could tell a close friend of mine to “Fuck off” when he or she divulges a piece of information that is humorously unbelievable. However the same two words could possess an entirely different meaning when my either of my siblings ask me to complete their chores.

I guess in many ways Josh’s article can be related to Wiersbicka’s study of the use “bloody” and how it holds many different unique meanings specific to the Australian culture. Profanity, swearing and expletives entail different meaning and can be interpreted in a multitude of ways depending on factors such as how the speaker uses and executes course language, in addition to how it is received by the respondent. Quite clearly, telling my Mum to “eat a dick” is very different from telling my friend to do so.

To be honest I am not a big fan of extra reading, but I found the additional text that Josh Noble mentioned by Mcleod (2011) to be very interesting, as I am an infamous user of the word cunt. From my experience, many of my female friends cringe at its mention. I however have no problem with dropping the C bomb like it’s hot. I guess it can be significantly attributed to the fact that I live in a house full of males and also grew up with 2 older brothers who also have no problems with the word cunt. Through own experience I can say that the messages I aim to convey through swearing, and specifically the word cunt is significantly dependent on whom I speak to, where I speak to them and the tone I use when I use such language.

Cyber Mania

Internet or cyber communication is paradoxical; whilst in many ways it keeps us connected with friends, family and colleagues by creating an easily accessible platform for intrapersonal communication, it is questionable whether it is doing more harm than good to our social interactions.

I guess being a frequent user myself I should mention the blatant benefits of cyber communication which encourages me to utilise it several times a day. The chief benefit of internet communication, via e-mail, Skype, and social networks such as Facebook is convenience. The internet provides the opportunity to reach multiple individuals at the one time, anywhere, anytime, irrespective of physical constraints such as weather or sickness. Cyber communication enables me to contact friends and family who I simply cannot get in touch with physically, it enables me to communicate with family and friends overseas at costs that are far less detrimental to my wallet than an international phone call.  

However cyber communication does at times confine me to my room, or the library or even prevents me from  participating in face to face interactions. Unconsciously I disregard my physical surroundings due to my fixation on Facebook or Skype.  Some instances, I find myself communicating to my friends over the internet not out of convenience but pure laziness. But is the internet taking over face to face social interactions?

A study conducted by Baym et al (2004) investigated university students’ communication online and compared it with face to face interactions. Findings of the study showed that while the internet was heavily incorporated into university students’ social lives, face to face communication persisted as the main form of interactions. Despite face to face communication still remaining dominant, internet communication was still perceived to be a significantly high percentage.

Bargh and McKenna (2004) reviewed several academic articles and found a general consensus that internet communication is an inferior and desensitising form of social interaction compared to traditional face to face, and thus will equate to negative consequences such as loneliness and depression for its users.

Cyber communication comprises of pros and cons, but one thing is certain, it plays a significant role in modern social interactions and in all honestly without it I would be lost at times.

References

Bargh J.A., Mckenna K.Y.A., 2004, “The Internet and Social Life”, Annyal Reviews of Psychology, vol. 55, pp. 573-590

Baym N.K., Zhang Y.B., Lin M., 2004, “Social Interactions Across MediaInterpersonal Communication on the Internet, Telephone and Face-to-Face”, New Media and Society, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 299-318

Ross, Drew. 2007. “Backstage with the Knowledge Boys and Girls: Goffman and Distributed Agency in an Organic Online Community.” Organization Studies vol. 28, no. 03: pp. 307–325