Thread: Profanity?

Is this common in the dialogue or is it rarely used? The reason I ask is because although most cultures frown upon profanity, it's still widely used in some areas. For example in the US, in some neighborhoods it's very common while in others people avoid it.

Usually in the rural and poorer areas it's apparently more used, but that's not always the case. Some wealthy people have dirty mouths as well

I don't think I've ever heard a Panamanian use the "F" words. That being said, they have their own slang which is just as bad. However, throwing out f-bombs will definitely lower their views of you in Panama.

Matt

Interesting, I'll keep that in mind then, thanks. Although I don't think I'll have much problems as I usually don't use such language, and I tend to avoid it whenever possible. I instead should be worrying about understanding some of that slang you mentioned hehe.

The "f" word is interesting. It depends if one uses it as a verb (its more vulgar form) or if it's used as an adjective which has become more common, yet certainly not acceptable by most people.
Personally, 96.871 % of the time I'll use it as an adjective in conjunction with the "a" compund noun word which I usually direct at the drivers in this city. To make sure there's no misunderstanding, I'll use the universal finger sign that translates into the "f" word used in the imperative mood, which again is used as a verb.

Hmmm... even if I use any profanity while being in Panama, few people will be able to understand it. Rural Australian English will be very difficult for non-Australians to understand. Ga day cobber. What have you been up to? Come over to my place and we'll crack a tinnie!!!

Hi..hi....

Hah good one with the finger tactic, I'm sure that'll get the message across. It really amazes me how such a gesture became so popular, I think it might even be more universally accepted and well known than a handshake..

As for rural Australian English never heard it, but did talk to a guy online via voice chat who was Australian and didn't notice much of a difference. The British on the other hand are more easy to distinguish as their British accent is usually noticeable and I'm sure they detect our American one too.

Originally Posted by JustWow

As for rural Australian English never heard it, but did talk to a guy online via voice chat who was Australian and didn't notice much of a difference. The British on the other hand are more easy to distinguish as their British accent is usually noticeable and I'm sure they detect our American one too.

Surprised to hear that... Probably the guy you were talking to was using formal language or he was from major metropolitan areas. Anyway I find it very difficult to distinguish American English from British English... My bad... It seems that I'm not familiar with varieties of English spoken elsewere.

You know, my husband thinks it's funny when I use it, as English it's not my native language. I think this is the reason why I don't really think about it that much, it's just another word and it has no major impact. In my own language, I think I'd die of embarrassment using those words because it means more to me. It's sort of double standard I suppose, using profanity in a foreign language doesn't seem as bad as using it in your native language.

Originally Posted by crisella74

You know, my husband thinks it's funny when I use it, as English it's not my native language. I think this is the reason why I don't really think about it that much, it's just another word and it has no major impact. In my own language, I think I'd die of embarrassment using those words because it means more to me. It's sort of double standard I suppose, using profanity in a foreign language doesn't seem as bad as using it in your native language.

Depends on the area also. For example in rural Australia we use profanity all the time.... But I don't think you will be able to speak that freely if you go to rural areas of England. By the way I am a bit curious about your native language. Which one is it?

Originally Posted by ford007

Depends on the area also. For example in rural Australia we use profanity all the time.... But I don't think you will be able to speak that freely if you go to rural areas of England. By the way I am a bit curious about your native language. Which one is it?

Not at all, you'd be surprised to hear the kind of language being used in some parts of London Actually, I think it's much worse than in rural parts of England.
My native language is Romanian

Ah, interesting language although it's a bit too complicated for my needs. As for using profanity in your non-native language, yes it is a bit odd although to me it sounds humorous at times as my way of saying it is often way off from how a native speaker would say it thus it loses it's impact. But I'm sure if I used it against a native speaker they probably wouldn't find it as funny..

lol... yes I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate it, native or not. I generally use profanity against "things" I just realized. I don't think I have ever swore at a person, trying to think about it but I can't recall any occasion. Then again, if I was a guy it would probably be a different story Women have other ways of retaliation, and probably swearing would be a better option then some of our vindictive ways lol

Originally Posted by crisella74

Not at all, you'd be surprised to hear the kind of language being used in some parts of London Actually, I think it's much worse than in rural parts of England.
My native language is Romanian

Hmmm.. Actually we had a few Moldovian workers here in Kimberley last year working on an irrigation project. I think Moldovian is similar to Romanian. Anyway that language seemed too difficult to understand... Never had any Spanish speakers out here...

Up until the WWII Moldova was part of Romania. Following the treaty, Moldova was taken by Russia, thou it has always been romanian territory. After the fall of communism Moldova gained its independence but never returned to its "mother country", Romania. Now they are an independent republic and their official language is Moldovian, which is 100% Romanian language. With a russian accent thou lol
I'm sure they have their regionalisms, like any part of the country, but it's romanian language.