Slang and Obscenity in the Media

By Melissa Tyndall Slang and obscenities are a common occurrence in this technological age in which media ranges from Direct TV to the Internet to satellite radio. Slang, or what some may deem as colloquialisms, is an ever-changing addition to the English language that, at times, disappears as quickly as those particular words enter the scene. Obscenities, on the other hand, seem to persevere throughout the ages and remain the same. While it seems many have turned a deaf ear toward these words in various media forms, and other people such as George Carlin poke fun at such subjects with his Seven Dirty Words skit, it is important to determine the public opinion about these deviations from appropriate language as well as Standard English. With technology constantly advancing at an unfathomable rate, it is important to survey the opinions of media users when considering slang and obscenities in various media forms. This matter is of importance in order to maintain the integrity of media and also to increase/maintain user confidence in that particular form of media. This study will investigate the effects of slang and obscenity in the media. The Literature Review will first define slang and obscenities (including how the FCC determines what is obscene). The review will also illustrate how the use slang and obscenities have expanded and become more culturally accepted as compared to past years. Evidence from the scholarly research collected will also examine the frequency of slang and use of obscene language in various media forms. Furthermore, this paper will propose ways in which to poll a random audience about their opinions concerning how slang and obscenities affect viewers/media users. Hypothesis 1: In the publics opinion, the media has become too lenient in its allowance of slang and obscenities. Hypothesis 2: In the publics perception, slang and obscenities in the media negatively affects viewership.

Definitions of Slang and Obscenity Before examining the specific effects of slang and obscenity in the media, it is important to first define these terms in order to deviate from the use of abstract terminology. An interview with J.E. Lighter, author of a slang dictionary, found that the typical definition, or opinion, of slang was that it is informal, casual, and often objectionable to most members of society most of the time; this also works in conjunction of Websters American Dictionary which defines slang as low, vulgar unmeaning language (Rawson, 2003). Yet, another author defines slang (or as he calls it, media Trendspeak) as a pastiche of pretentious abstractions, fad words, breezy syntax, overdone alliteration and sophomoric sociology jargon (Hart, 1993). Obscenity, vulgarity, or offensive language, often referred to as cussing or swearing, is often defined (broadly) as speech that is unacceptable in everyday conversation and public use (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004). The FCC, however, has three main categories that move certain words in the English language over into what is considered obscene: (1) level of explicitness, (2) degree of which the particular word or phrase depicts sexual/excretory organs and the activities of those organs and (3) degree in which shock factor is meant to affect media users (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004). Of those three criteria, the degree of which the particular word or phrase depicts sexual/excretory organs and the activities of those organs seems the most common. Slang Slang, often easily identifiable due to its blatant differences from Standard English, is thought to have originally referred to a language utilized by criminals. Though a great deal of slang has derived from specific groups, including racial and military colloquialisms, slang is also inspired by drinking, sex and money (Rawson, 2003). However, it seems that slang is furthered most by various media forms. While some, such as author of the Historical Dictionary of American Slang, J.E. Lighter, feel that the Internet is still too new to impact language, the media

form will be the most influential circulator of slang (Rawson, 2003). In the age of instant messaging and text messaging, textspeak (Crystal, 2003) or l33t speak (see Table 1), is an ever popular Internet form of slang. Textspeak and l33t speak slang, though sometimes considered an elite form of computer or youth savvy jargon, is often represented by acronyms or language shortcuts which leaves out letters in words or substitutes them with numbers. Textspeak, l33t speak and other forms of Internet slang have not only dominated emails and chatrooms, but also the world of text messaging via cell phone. Textspeak allows for abbreviations rather than typing in elaborate text, such as writing SWDYT? rather than typing, So what do you think? on a tiny keypad (Crystal, 2003). These abbreviations, which also include words such as U for you, CUZ for because, L8 for late, seem most popular with teenagers (Lee, 2002). Unfortunately, instructors have indicated that this form of slang slips from media into academic writing, resulting in papers which contain sentences such as B4 we perform, ppl have 2 practice (Lee, 2002). Table 1 L33t Speak versus Standard English L33t Standard English prolly Probably cuz Because msg Message n00b Newbie d00ds Dudes frag game term meaning kill, taken from war brb be right back lol Laughing out loud rofl rolling floor laughing r0X0rz Rocks nog Affirmative j/k just kidding P911 parents in the room
omg oh my god Source: Driscoll, Dana. Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2005, from http://www.kon.org/urc/driscoll.html.

While slang seems to pervade the World Wide Web, slang has also seeped into other forms of media. Examples of slang entering the news was illustrated in 2002 when a memo circulated at CNN Headline News that encouraged anchors to use slang in order to attract younger viewers. After a slang dictionary failed to bring some staff members up to speed, rapper Snoop Dogg was hired to work a morning shift. This attempt spawned a quote from the cable channels general manager, Ronaldo Santos: You gotta give us props. Peeps know we got da 411 (Rosen, 2002), illustrating the affects of slang in the media. Furthermore, slang (or imprecise language) has entered mainstream newspapers via alternative newsweeklies which some researchers believe are merely fad phases that real people have no true interest in (Hart, 2003). Obscenities/Offensive Language Though the FCC has three main criteria concerning the labeling of certain language as offensive or obscene, it seems that many researchers half-jokingly employ comedian George Carlins Seven Dirty Words (shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker and tits) as the scale for whether or not language is offensive (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004). However, in recent years, the seven obscenities, or versions of them (such as friggin, freaking and suck), has occurred more and more on television (Wachal, 2002). Proof of this is evidenced by the an episode of Comedy Centrals South Park, where characters uttered the word shit (unbleeped) 162 times during a thirty-minute program (Grimm). While one study indicated that profane language increased in the four years between 1997 and 2001 to one obscenity every eight minutes (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004), a study performed by a professor at the University of Iowa in 2002 also examined the increase of obscenities in television from 1989 as compared to 1999. The study found the use of ass increased from 12 rimes to 265 times, bitch went from two to 60 times, son of a bitch from 12 to 54, bastard leaped from 15 to 43 and the infamous f-word jumped from one to 29

(Wachal). Furthermore, studies by the Center for Media and Public Affairs tallied over 4,000 instances of obscenities on 284 cable on broadcast channels throughout the 1998-1999 season. Strong profanity, such as the f-word accounted for 18 percent of all words used while coarse language (23 percent) and mild (59 percent) profanity such as hardass and hell was used even more frequently. Overall, broadcast network programs averaged (separately) 11 incidents of profanity per hour, most of which were mild words (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004). With shows such as Undergrads, Celebrity Death Match and The Andy Dick Show filled with dozens of utterances of foul language (Absher, 2002), as well as the Parents Council reports that foul language had tripled on network television between 1996 and 2001, the researched material on obscenity naturally led to public opinions on profanity in the media (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004). NYPD Blue, for example, was boycotted, blacked out by affiliates and experienced public outcry against the series after first airing in 1993 due to its innovation of sexual content and language that had never before been seen on television (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004). While some broadcast networks argue that foul language is necessary to compete with cable programs, some viewers seem to disagree. Legislators and watchdogs groups seem to be some of the most concerned when considering profanity in the media, as they claim it causes a decline in moral and social values and will negatively effect viewers, such as children (who learn behavior by example) (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004). Though it seems that advocacy and watchdog groups are the majority of the protesters, television demographics also illustrate a possible disinterest or disgust with the obscene in the media. American Demographics claims that the general target audience for more obscene, bawdy language is 18 to 34-year-old men. However, those demographics drop eight percent each year, meaning that 750,000 men are missing from their parking place in front of the television during

prime time. While some believe this is due to an increase in video game play among men, others believe men are pursuing more intellectual and beneficial pursuits such as going to graduate school or working a full-time job. Though this research shows a decrease in viewership, the article also indicated that 72 percent of American men and 55 percent of American women claim to curse in public (74 percent of 18 to 34-year-olds do it compared to 48 percent of those over 55) (Grimm, 2003). Other research uncovered the frequency of which women swear compared to men as well as 30 men and womens opinions on the severity of particular obscene words (see Table 2 and Table 3). The most frequent reasons for swearing included humor and story telling, to create emphasis within speech or due to anger and/or tension release. However, women and men agreed that certain words are more acceptable for men than for women. However, men and women both claim they avoid certain obscenities because they are/can be perceived as sexist, offensive, can give a negative impression, is inappropriate, shows a limited vocabulary and make feel uncomfortable (Stapleton, 2003). Table 2: Numbers of women and men who judge each expletive to be 'obscene' Expletive Derivation Women Men Bitch Bastard Shit/Shite Arse Fuck Screw Shag Bollocks Prick Cock Cunt Fanny Tits Wanker Ancestral Ancestral Scatological Scatological Sexual Act Sexual Act Sexual Act Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Masturbatory 2 5 4 4 8 5 4 5 0 8 12 14 10 1 2 3 4 2 7 4 3 4 0 5 8 6 0 0

Source: Women and Language. (Fall 2003). Retrieved March 9, 2005 from the InfoTrac OneFile database.

Table 3: Numbers of women and men who regularly use each expletive Expletive Derivation Women Bitch Bastard Shit/Shite Arse Fuck Screw Shag Bollocks Prick Cock Cunt Fanny Tits Wanker Ancestral Ancestral Scatological Scatological Sexual Act Sexual Act Sexual Act Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Sexual Anatomy Masturbatory 14 15 14 11 12 10 13 12 15 9 1 2 5 14

Men 15 15 15 15 13 14 15 15 15 13 13 12 15 15

Source: Women and Language. (Fall 2003). Retrieved March 9, 2005 from theInfoTrac OneFile database.

However, despite the use of foul language on television (and the use of foul language by the audience), news sources seem to be the only form of media which refrains from obscenities as much as possible. The Associated Press advises newspapers not use [obscenities, profanities, vulgarities] in stories unless they are part of direct quotations and there is a compelling reason for them (Robertson, 2000). Newspapers generally attempt to refrain from foul language in order to avoid offending family readers, however, newspapers such as The Tennessean have accidentally published the f-word. In addition, newspapers have allowed vulgarities to run by replacing letter with dots (f..k) when the language was absolutely pertinent to the storysuch as a womans narrative essay about the murder of her husband, the head of a state lottery commission (Robertson, 2000). Methodology The best way to determine the results of the hypotheses would be through a random survey. I plan to poll both men and women of varying age, as some of the literature indicates

that younger generations are more accepting of slang. I also plan to poll those of varying education so that educated persons do not taint the results due to bias against slang and/or obscenity. The following is a possible 25-question survey, which would be used to test the hypotheses (surveys would either be distributed or completed in person or via mail/email):
Q1: I am less likely to watch a television program with constant obscenities. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q2: Shows latent with vulgarities would be just as good or appealing without such language. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q3: Offensive language in the media negatively influences viewers/users of that particular form of media. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q4: I feel that obscenities and vulgar words take away from the validity of media rather than add to it. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q5: When sending or receiving text messages, the message often contains slang or Internet lingo such as, Call me b4 u go 2 work. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree

Q6: How many times per week do you use an online messenger such as AIM? A) 0-2 B) 3-5 C) 6-8 D) 9-11 E) 12 or more Q7: How many times per chat session would you say you see Internet lingo/shorthand such as b4 (before), kewl (cool), or u (you)? A) 0-5 B) 6-10 C) 11-15 D) 16-20 E) 21 or more Q8: How many times per chat session would you say you see Internet lingo or l33t speak such as ROFL, LOL, BRB, or TTYL? A) 0-6 B) 7-12 C) 13-20 D) 20 or more Q9: L33t speak is an elitist form of language/computer jargon. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q10: L33t speak seems like an uneducated way to communicate. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q11: There is a large increase in slang and obscenities used on television. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q12: When news officials, announcers, or other figures meant to inform the public use slang, I feel it affects the validity of his/her statement. A) Strongly agree B) Agree

C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q13: When news officials, announcers, or other figures meant to inform the public use obscenities, I feel it affects the validity of his/her statement. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q14: Those who use slang in various media forms are perceived as more uneducated than those who do not use slang. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q15: Those who use obscenities in various media forms are perceived as more uneducated than those who do not use obscenities. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q16: Slang and obscenities are not appropriate for media forms intended to inform, such as newspapers and news broadcasts. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q17: When providers of various media forms (whether on the Internet, magazines, newspapers, radio stations or television) use slang frequently, I feel the source is less reliable. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q18: When providers of various media forms (whether on the Internet, magazines, newspapers, radio stations or television) use obscenities frequently, I feel the source is less reliable.

A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q19: Slang and obscenities bother me less when incorporated into media meant for entertainment (i.e. television programs, music, movies, etc.) than media meant to be informative. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q20: I do not view slang as trendy or a colloquialism, but as a deviation from Standard English. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q21: Words or phrases that depict sexual/excretory organs and the activities of those Organs (other than in a medical sense) are obscene (Example: the f-word). A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q22: The use of L33t speak is too frequent. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q23: The media is not as strict as it should be with obscenities. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q24: I have been surprised due to some of the words I have heard in the media because I did not think that word was allowed by the FCC.

A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree Q25: Media standards have become far too lenient. A) Strongly agree B) Agree C) Neutral D) Disagree E) Strongly disagree

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Kaye, B. & Sapolsky, B. (2004, December). Offensive language in prime-time television: four years after television age and content ratings. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 48, 554. Retrieved March 9, 2005, from InfoTrac OneFile database. Lee, J. (2002, November). U rite GR8. New York Times Upfront, 135,7. Retrieved February 10, 2005, from InfoTrac OneFile database. Rawson, H. (2003, October). Slang and interview with J.E. Lighter by Hugh Rawson. American Hertiage, 54, 69. Retrieved February 15, 2005, from InfoTrac OneFile database. Robertson, L. (2000, November). Language Barriers. American Journalism Review, 22, 38. Retrieved January 25, 2005, from InfoTrac OneFile database Rosen, J. (2002, November). Talk the talk, Yo: use of slang in television news. American Journalism Review, 24, 18. Retrieved February 1, 2005, from InfoTrac OneFile database. Stapleton, K. (2003, Fall). Gender and swearing: a community practice. Women and Language, 26, 22. Retrieved March 10, 2005, from InfoTrac OneFile database. Wachal, R. (2002). Taboo or not taboo: that is the question. American Dialect Society, 77, 195. Retrieved March 10, 2005, from InfoTrac OneFile database.