Curse words- they’re everywhere. In book titles, songs, movies, even “kid appropriate” TV shows. Somehow, these unbecoming words have become too commonplace in our society.
English teacher Ashley Markesbery believes that cursing is extremely common in today’s world, and it is used too nonchalantly. “I think that people use these words to stress something, and now they’re so common that the shock value has diminished, so people are using more extreme things to get their message across. I think that even some things that are permitted on TV should not be allowed to air,” Markesbery said.
Along with cursing becoming prominent, “text talk” and abbreviations are used more often, even in student’s formal emails and essays. “I don’t see slang in papers as much as I do in emails. I always try to write out whole words, even in texts,” Markesbery said.
AP English teacher Julie Muething said that she has had students ask if they can curse in their essays to get their point across. “I think that this language is definitely more accepted now, and since it’s used so much, it has lost its effect,” Muething said.
Senior Shelby Scott believes that cursing has always been common; it’s not just today’s society. “These words have always been said. They are used to create emotional impact, so I do not think that they are used too often. I find myself cursing without thinking quite often,” Scott said.
As some think that curse words have become a large part of our language, some may believe that our language has deteriorated. “I do not think that our language is breaking down, but we do not always use words to the extent that we are capable of. I think that we are becoming desensitized to it,” Markesbery said.
Scott thinks that the spread of technology has affected the way that we talk. “Our language has evolved exponentially because of texting and social media. We are communicating faster and all the time. Just because it is different does not mean that it is deteriorating,” Scott said.
Muething also does not think that our language is breaking down. “Language is always changing, it’s different, but not worse,” Muething said.
The McNicholas Milestone 