1.
Łukasz Kowalik, MA
Why do
people use
profanity?

2.
profanity
KEY TERM
Profanity is socially offensive language, which may also
be called cursing, or swearing in British English, cuss
words in American English, swear words, or expletives.
Used in this sense, profanity is language that is generally
considered by certain parts of a culture to be strongly
impolite, rude, or offensive.

3.
English
TongueA SOUP OF SWEAR WORDS
the A-word,
the B-word,
the C-word,
the F-word,
the S-word,
the W-word
and many more.
Those of a sweary disposition can
draw upon:

4.
References
sexual,
profane or blasphemous,
scatological or disgusting
objects,
animal names,
ethnic/racial/gender slurs,
ancestral allusions,
substandard vulgar terms
and offensive slang.

5.
How do we
choose what
word to use
and when?
Our choices depend upon:
- the company we’re in,
- what our relationship is to that company,
- the social setting

6.
Why do people
swear?
to achieve a specific reaction from others,
to inject a direct, succinct emotional component
into the discussion, usually in order to express
frustration, anger or surprise,
to be name calling or wishing someone harm.

7.
What is profanity
often used for?
It’s no wonder it is often a defining feature
of hate speech, verbal abuse, sexual
harassment and obscene phone calls.

8.
Can swear
words be used
in a more
positive
manner?
Sure, in the form of jokes and
humor, sex talk, storytelling,
self-deprecation or even
social commentary.
“This concert is f***** awesome!”
@Willis_Cummings
Nov 29, 2019

9.
What are
the benefits
of swearing?
helps mitigate pain,
carries a bigger emotional punch,
makes a swearer more trustworthy
than those who are less potty-
mouthed.

10.
Using the F-with-asterisks
version acknowledges that
we are taking the feelings
of others into account. By
censoring the word we
show respect.
OLIVER KAMM

11.
ARTICLES:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-do-we-swear/
https://time.com/4602680/profanity-research-why-we-swear/
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-39082467
PHOTOS:
canva.com - database
Sources