Forum Language

[idb]

Because when posting on a forum one is "talking" to a (potentially) very large audience. And the exact composition is unknown. When posting I cannot know who is going to read what I post.

I regard KB as the cyber equivalent of the local pub (the public bar which OP so despises).I write as I would speak when chatting there to friends over a pint (Speights, of course) . I do not see why I should adopt a stilted and artificial mode of conversation , to please the whim of one person, who may not even read what I have written, when the tone is acceptable to the vast majority. The degree of vernacular on the site seems consistent across most of the members. It is only a few who have problems with it. Why should the many be constrained, forced to put themselves into a artificial and uncomfortable mode for the sake of a small minority.

If the small minority have issues with the conversational standards of the great majority, I suggest that the minority go elsewhere.

I note also that the OP did not complain on any high moral or religious grounds - he did not say that , for instance, blasphemy was hurtful to his religious beliefs (and even the Great Zed had no problems with the language of the site). rather his objections were that the tone of language was too "lower class" for his liking. If his gripe with the site is based on affected class discrimination, then the sooner he buggers off the better.

I thought you were the one to introduce class to this thread.
I can't see that he has mentioned it at all....but I'm happy to be corrected.

Are you saying that any conversation that you engage in without the use of swear words is stilted and artificial?
I'm sure I've seen plenty of posts from you without any profanities at all and I've found them to be free-flowing and natural in the main.

[Ixion]

..
My Mum used to say if you swear it shows your not smart enough; or have enough class to use another word.
..

I presume OP intended the negation in the preceeding phrase to apply also to that highlighted.

And of course no one is saying that swear words or profanity are NECESSARY to a conversation. But their use as markers of emphasis, of approval or disapproval, of intensification or diminuation provides the essential character of what is termed vernacular.

Compare :

"Well, bugger me, I'm deep in the shit now"
to
"Well, my goodness, I'm in serious trouble now"

Both say the same thing. The first has a vibrancy and richness that is completely lacking in the latter. Indeed the second almost has an over tone of facetiousness. Most members of this site, and most bikers, would find the first a far more "natural" response if they were indeed in such a situation.

An example of the artificiality that accompanies non natural speech can be seen in the "afternoon tea with the vicar" skits common on television. When forced into conversation with a priest most people find themselves ill at ease, and constrained from their normal free flow of speech, fearful least they accidentally utter a "bad word" .

Conversation is at its best when people are relaxed and speaking directly and straightforwardly without paraphrasing or hesitancy. Which they cannot do if they must constantly be monitoring their words and phrases.

[WarlockNZ]

LOL ... i would have quoted the post above but it's just to large ..

Of course profanity can have a lighter side as well, There are many words that have managed to make in into the modern lexicon, that can be taken either in or out of context, it is of course dependant on the inflection with which they are used.

I submit this video as a case in point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P57RmHg5DWs

[WarlockNZ]

Or perhaps this ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rX7-R54-Q8

[Big Dave]

be free-flowing and natural in the main.

I like a free flowing mane.

[onearmedbandit]

I was going to add to this debate, but decided it was pointless. The only person on this site who will possibly clean up the language here is SpankMe, and I don't see that happening in a hurry. Don't like it, don't read it. It's been said before, it's simple to do, and costs you absolutely nothing. But that's not all, it also reduces your stress levels leading to a longer more satisfying life. Call now, our operaters are standing by.

[Joni]

Actually OAB its the moderators task to ensure the language does not get too harsh - Spankme introduced an infraction for that specific thing

Yeah its a biker site and I reckon 90% of us swear in one way or another... however the over the top stuff should be kept off KB.

[Swoop]

In your mothers time someone who was Gay probably had lots of sex with those of the opposite sex.

Surely back then it would have been a term for a "jolly" person? As Homer Simpson says "You gays have stolen all our good words!"

Language like this has become acceptable in certain places and contexts. It's on TV...

I am preparing for the day when the "f" word becomes commonly used on the radio. We are getting closer...

To the original post. Thank you for allowing your children to view our forum. We will be sending you a bill for educating your children in a manner which is not provided by our education system.
Here they will be exposed to *gasp* NON-PC language, which is what most of NZ needs in our current nanny-state oppression.

[MSTRS:Me]

I couldn't give a toss if what my posting score is, or how well recieved my post is, I'm entitled to my opinion. I voiced it. If you guys can't come up with a better aguement than "If you dont like it go somewhere else"; and personal attacks on my character then I most certainly rest my case. In regard to the sites I quoted: visit them, try them out, maybe you'll like 'em, maybe you won't. One thing they aren't though is over moderated.
At the end of the day it looks as though democracy has won the day, most people posting in reply don't support what I'm saying - I have to accept that, and that the NZ biking community are generally speaking a bunch of potty mouths.
Anyway, I'm off to ride my bike.

Ha-Fucking-Ha.
You are the weakest link. Goodbye. (KB translation - You don't fit. Fuck off)

[Joni]

and for the record... keep it clean guys, yes this thread is about swearing... but no need to get abusive with each other. Everyone has different opinions.

[onearmedbandit]

Actually OAB its the moderators task to ensure the language does not get too harsh - Spankme introduced an infraction for that specific thing

Yeah its a biker site and I reckon 90% of us swear in one way or another... however the over the top stuff should be kept off KB.

Harsh yes, I understand that. But the odd swear word in a reply or post I don't think so. Saying something like 'I had a fucking great ride today, plenty of arseholes on the road however' is surely okay, or am I mis-informed?

[James Deuce]

Everyone has different opinions.

No they don't. At least they won't when I'm "Glorious Leader".

[Joni]

Thats what I said/meant... 90% of us swear and that wont change I reckon, its the over the top stuff that we as Mods are required to work on. No Nazi stuff required at all... and everything should be taken into context.

[Joni]

No they don't. At least they won't when I'm "Glorious Leader".

Im contemplating if im looking forward to or dreading that day hun

[Macktheknife]

Froth, you are almost certainly winding everyone up, if so well done.
If by some small perverse chance you are serious.... well its been said. 2 words, second one is off, you seem to be a smart fella, work it out.