saint-louise's Diaryland Diary
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Cleaning it up. And then promptly befouling it again.
Every once in a while, I start thinking that perhaps I ought to clean up my language a little. At least here in the diary. I mean, it's online and all. And what if some innocent child stumbles upon it and then has to be cleansed of the demons that possess his pure soul brought on by the fact that he has read the word "fuck"?
Um…repeatedly.
I wish I could explain my dilemma on this subject. I really do. But I fall so solidly between caring and not caring that I'm really rather wedged. So much so that I cannot move my arms to scratch my nose, let alone what contortions I'm having to pull off just to type this.
See…I don't have a problem with "harsh language." Personally, if in a few years my daughter starts saying "damn" or "hell" or "ass," it's not going to make my heart stop. It probably won't even make me blink. In fact, I'll probably say, "Yes, dear. I agree that this show is assy. Please move from in front of the television now, and I'll give you $50 for beer and cigarettes."
…
Oh, come on, people. Give me some credit.
Also, if she were to get much older and decide to shock the general population, as teenagers are wont to do, by saying "shit" and "fuck," well…I can't say that I can even picture such a thing occurring, but…
I quite like words. (Does this come as a surprise to anyone? Yes? Well, come here and let me hold your hand while you KEEP THE FUCK UP WITH US. Okay?) I think they are incredibly versatile. They are artistic. They shock. They please. They make people cry, for various reasons. In fact, one of my goals is to become fluent in at least two other languages, just to expand the amount of words I have to work with.
Swearing…they're words, too. And useful in their own right.
Sister o' Mine has her own take on the Use of Naughty Language. She isn't opposed to swearing, but she uses it only when truly needed. This way, people know when she's really, really, REALLY serious.
Or really tired.
Usually tired.
I agree with this approach. I think it is quite logical, and I'm a big fan of the logic. In fact, I tried out her tactic not too long ago, and found that I did not have much success. This was very frustrating to me, and I told her so.
Her response?
"Louise, think of it this way: swearing…well, it's kind of what you do."
I'm not sure that is particularly pleasing to me, but I had to admit that it was true. Is true.
No getting around it.
So, ultimately, I guess I can't stop with the language. At least, not in this type of writing. I constantly get the argument (or parental-flashback-type chastising): "People who swear just don't have the creative ability to find other, more suitable words to use."
Now that? No logic. Think about it.
And the only way I can see to reply to it is:
There are various orifices placed strategically all over your body. Find the appropriate one to jam that statement into, and then give it a vicious twist, just for me. Many thanks.
12:20 p.m. - 2003-04-18
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