Article December 12, 1988 Issue

Words: a portrait of our thinking

As we continue to work for a cleaner environment and a healthier life style, isn't it important for us to clean up our speech as well?

Beryl J. Osborne

The language we use tells a lot about us. After all, speech is our thoughts put into words. Because these words create an image that describes us to others, our choice of words is important and worthy of thoughtful consideration.

There is a current hypothesis that obscene language is a sign of "maturity" and worldliness. Vulgarity in films, television, and print is defended by the excuse that "real" people speak that way and that profanity is appropriate and necessary to an accurate portrayal of character. Vulgarity is also promoted as providing freedom of expression—freedom against taboos laid down by supposedly outdated codes of decency and good taste. And many individuals may adopt vulgar language as part of their everyday speech pattern simply because they don't see any harm in doing so.

Does the use of vulgarity and profanity have an influence on our lives? Do we profit from this "freedom of expression," or are we subtly corrupted by it?

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