Record numbers of people are complaining about the use of foul language on TV and radio programmes. Ofcom, the communications regulator, received 500 complaints in the first three months of this year, and has been asked to rule on a further 1,159 complaints from 2009. These figures represent a significant increase since 2006 when there were 841 complaints.
Obscene
Critics have attacked the use of obscene language, and called on Ofcom to impose stricter guidelines. Vivienne Pattison, director of Mediawatch-UK, said: “This kind of language is not tolerated in the office or in the playground, so why is it on television? “Ofcom’s guidelines should also be tightened up so it is really clear what is acceptable and what is not. And when a company breaches the guidelines there should be real sanctions.”
One of the things I dislike the most, living in the West of Scotland, is the 'street language'. That's the name given for foul mouthed people, who speak about other foul mouthed people, as if it's an excuse or even a reason for swearing and cursing openly.
It's not too difficult to see the reasons for this unacceptable behaviour. We have come to tolerate much more bad language on TV, and it is even used in the home. No surprise then, when toddlers learn at an early age how to curse like the rest of the population, and the parents have the nerve to say, "I don't know where they picked that up". It's funny how they also know how to use the words, and what tone of voice to take!
It is also becoming evident that people who don't actually swear will substitute a word which sounds like swearing, rhymes with the real swear word, and can be used in the same manner. This is usually adopted by those who don't want to be said to swear, but want to 'join the club' of those who do, maybe making themselves appear bigger than they are, and don't have the nerve or backbone to be different, and speak without cursing! I find the non swearing 'swearers' harder to accept than those who swear outright. I think it is the pretence of 'goodness' that gets to me most.
I certainly would not advocate cursing and swearing at any age, or by any person, so my message to those who are on the fringes of having a foul mouth is, STOP IT, you are doing yourself no favours!!!
It is also becoming evident that people who don't actually swear will substitute a word which sounds like swearing, rhymes with the real swear word, and can be used in the same manner. This is usually adopted by those who don't want to be said to swear, but want to 'join the club' of those who do, maybe making themselves appear bigger than they are, and don't have the nerve or backbone to be different, and speak without cursing! I find the non swearing 'swearers' harder to accept than those who swear outright. I think it is the pretence of 'goodness' that gets to me most.
I certainly would not advocate cursing and swearing at any age, or by any person, so my message to those who are on the fringes of having a foul mouth is, STOP IT, you are doing yourself no favours!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment