[QUOTE=Brock Poling] you are an unrefined brute --
[/QUOTE]
Somebody call???
I am with Paul, there is a certain satisfaction in being able to apply a measured level of abusive expression in order to allow one's self to communicate effectively across the full spectrum of Aussie society.
Indeed profanity has an important roll in our day to day communications here in Australia. I know some guys that simply could not comprehend anything you were trying to say to them unless you punctuate with profanities at regular intervals.
It was mentioned that to a lot of cultures this sort of language is considered disrespectful and crass, therefore it's use is limited within those societies.
It is interesting to observe however when meeting one from such a culture when after newly migrated here to Australia and joining the workforce, just how quickly they embrace this particular part of the language.
A few years latter, having now assimilated into multicultural Australian society, most would have retained their traditional religions, culinary taste and custom and unless it's too (according to your level of sensitivity, please insert none offencive expressive word here) hot, even part of their traditional costume.
But now, despite their upbringing, most no longer consider the profanities as disrespectful or crass. Rather they have identified them as very important tools of expression without which they may face malnutrition and or dehydration at a BBQ and certain excommunication in the work place.
Indeed they have now learnt that in the spoken word, the exact same profanity can be deliver a dozen times and convey a dozen different moods and emotions from endearment to abuse depending on just how it was expressed. Profanities have therefore become their pigeon, their stepping stone that will allow them to learn to communicate with ever increasing fluency in the most difficult of all languages to learn.
But of course that is Australia and this is the OLF so when in Rome.... I am with Todd and Brock, even if profanities were acceptable here this is the internet and the written word, the benefits are lost, it simply will not deliver the desired effect.
More importantly profanity is just not wanted here, it is simple as that so lets not do it.
Cheers
Kim
