h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Many people speak English as a second language (studies, work, pleasure, ....). As someone's grasp of "international" English develops beyond the the minimum "need to know" they will often want to start using it as they would their own language. And so to swearing.... Swear words in a foreign language (learnt as an adult)don't seem as wrong/impolite as in your own language : perhaps because there is no memory trigger of some adult telling you off about swearing. So I wonder whether this is why the Fu** word seems to have become so prevailant in International English.

Even grannies who would never say sh** in their own language seem quite happy using the "F" word in English. The great majority of Americans/Brits I meet seem to swear very little. So how did this horrible F-habit catch on in the world ?

I blame television!
Serves [for the most part] the lowest common denomiator.
People also get lazy and forget there are more eloquent ways to express oneself.
I never swear in front of my children, and that's reduced my swearing in the rest of life. I try to explain to them that if they need to swear they should try to find a less rude alternative

Harpo

I agree but I find it hard to explain to adults (who should be making their own decisions) that what they are saying in English correponds to something they would never say in their own language.

Has any one else noticed this tendancy to use really strong language in totally unappropriate circumstances by people who are using English as a 2nd language

My Ukrainian friend took about 2 years to start saying 'bloody', although she's stopped using the Russian ones that she used to say all the time. I haven't heard her say all the really rude ones, but she does claim to know them all.

I know a Japanese woman (who incidently speaks beautiful French) and uses the most profane version of English I've ever heard .... (understand she works on the stock market)

REPLY TO THE FIRST POST:
I'm English mate, and believe me, we all get through our fair share of swear words.

As to the other point, I lived in France for a bit and my family all used the French equivalent Fu*k, Sh*t etc. all the time. Its definitly easier if you don't have the history to go with the swearword.

Take for example; My Old Girl (Mum for the Septics) always used to call me a BERK. She only just realised quite recently that BERK was rhymin slang for BERKSHIRE HUNT. She was horrified mate!!

REPLY TO THE FIRST POST:
I'm English mate, and believe me, we all get through our fair share of swear words.

As to the other point, I lived in France for a bit and my family all used the French equivalent Fu*k, Sh*t etc. all the time. Its definitly easier if you don't have the history to go with the swearword.

Take for example; My Old Girl (Mum for the Septics) always used to call me a BERK. She only just realised quite recently that BERK was rhymin slang for BERKSHIRE HUNT. She was horrified mate!!