What's your take on foul language in books and movies?

[jongibbs]

When I'm reading, there are some swear words (like the 'c' word) which kick my eyes off right the page. On blog posts, if I see that word (or even the less-offensive 'f' word), I stop reading right there. If the 'c' word's in a book or movie, or it feels like every other line of dialogue contains an 'f-ing', there's a better than 50/50 chance of

Comments

[queenoftheskies]

I think you're right that they're generally over-used, but I do think they can be effective used sparingly. It might tell us the character's frame of mind if they rarely use strong cursewords and then pop out with one.

However, having said that, there are some that I find particularly offensive and if I see them multiple times within a short span of time/pages, I'll stop reading and set the book aside.

And, I'm not a prude either.

[jongibbs]

For me, the trouble with overusing swear words, is they lose their shock value.

[mutive]

Some people swear in real life. A lot, really. If it's a character who should swear, I want them to swear. But if it's someone who doesn't, I want them to avoid it. (Or at least be really choosy.)

It seems like in some books, swearing is thrown in for shock value, which I dislike. But it also throws me if I have a really rough character who should swear and is like, "oh, gosh darn it" or whatever. Or "golly" or even just "ouch" when he/she hits his/her thumb with a hammer and I know he/she really would have said "s$%t".

I agree on blog posts, though. There is a reason to swear on some, but it's something that ought to be done very sparingly.

[jongibbs]

A fair point, Julia. However, with the possible exception of my old gran, I'd say the vast majority of people who swear a lot are really just saying the words as opposed to cursing out of anger. Where the average person might say 'bloody' or 'damn', these folks throw in the 'f' word without a second-thought.

From a storytelling point of view, the trouble comes when the foul-mouthed character is faced with a situation worthy of a more offensive outburst. I should think it'd be difficult to portray that.

[temporus]

Okay, but what happens in that situation in real life Jon? I know plenty of people who use vulgarity like punctuation in their conversations. At some point even those people have to be put into a situation worthy of a more offensive outburst. What do those people do then?

Whimper?

[jongibbs]

I think it depends. If the person who swears all the time is angry all the time, then I should think some form of violence would take place.

On the other hand, if it's someone who just swears for shock/cool dude value, or because they've done it for so long they barely notice themselves, I'm not sure.

[mtlawson]

I don't mind the usage of profanity, although the characters have to dictate the situation. Does it make sense for that character to drop f-bombs is something that has to be wrestled with.

[jongibbs]

For me, it's more when the swearing seems unnecessary. All too often, I get the feeling the writer put it in to show what a rebel he/she is, if that makes sense.

[saetter]

I never put up with language when it's just someone talking (a blog or verbal conversation). Coarse language is usually a backup for lacking vocabulary (or at least, I usually let it slip when I don't have the words to express frustration...). On tv or movies, it depends on the show. Sometimes it builds character and setting. Other times it gratuitous. It's hard to define the fine line that differentiate them

[msstacy13]

The first season of "Rome" was superb,
but it lost me halfway through the second season.

[maryjdal]

I would second your recommendation for Rome - Atia is one of my all time favourite anti-hero/heroine.

[jongibbs]

Re: HBO's Rome

Shows like Rome, and that Henry VIII thingy they made, always struck me as an attempt at intellectual soft porn. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I've always preferred the more I Claudius type of show.

then again, I am gettiing old :)

[knittingknots]

Doesn't bother me as dialogue, especially if it fits the character and is appropriate to the situation. I guess I've known too many people who've talked that way. In a blog post, it ought to be for extreme situations, although I know some bloggers who write like they probably speak, or just want to be edgy. My opinion of such writers is not as high as of other people...I see it as a person who has adjective deficiency.

[jongibbs]

I know some bloggers who write like they probably speak, or just want to be edgy.

True enough, on both counts. Thanks for sharing, Sue :)