Text 10 strong language

Task 1. Read and translate the text.

There are plenty of being rude in English. Here are some of them.

1. Tone of voice

It doesn’t matter what you say, it’s how you say it. Even the most polite phrases can sound rude if said in a certain way.

2. Threats and warnings for example

I’ll (tell him) if you do that. Do that and I’ll …Stop doing that or I’ll…Stop doing that or else …!Don’t you dare do it! You dare! I warn you (not do it).You’d better do it. /You’d better not do it.

3. Friendly/familiar terms used to strangers

Boy/son/mate/old chap/old boy/old fellow/my lad/chum/friend/luv.

4. Sarcasm

Polite formulas and ways of addressing people can be used sarcastically, sometimes by being too polite or too formal. Words like Miss/Sir/Madam can be used in this way.

5. Aggressive expressions

Hey, you! Look here.. Watch it! Mind you own business! Watch out! Just watch yourself!/your step. Don’t be stupid! Go to hell!

6. Use of taboo words

“taboo” words are words which are deliberately designed to shock and outrage people (see the text below).

7. Use of social role

In a conflict situation people try and establish some kind of superiority by making it clear what their social role is. A middle-class motorist might become very condescending in an argument, while a working –class motorist might play up his role as an honest but tough working man.

Task 2. Go through the two conversations and discuss how people are trying to insult each other.

Which of the seven categories of abuse are they using, and why? Are their any other ways in which they are trying to be rude?

Dialogue I

• Oh! You! I was waiting to back into that space.

• Were you? Bad luck, mate.

• But I was indicating…I’ve been here for ages…

• Well, you were too slow, weren’t you?

• Look, I’m not letting you get away with this. You’d better move or else.

• Or else what?

• Or else I’ll…

• Clear off, chum. I haven’t got time.

• Here, you’d better watch it.

• Leave it, mate. Don’t be so stupid.

• Just watch it … or I’ll…

• Will you? You, and whose army?

• Right, come on, then. I’ll give one.

• Is that a threat or a promise darling? Look, I’m off, I haven’t got all day.

• Come back here! I’ll… I’ll…

Dialogue II

• Excuse me, Miss…over here. Miss!

• Yeah?

• I wonder if you’d be kind enough to get me a size 18 in this …if it’s not too much trouble, that is.

• 18? We don’t do extra-large, lug. Sorry. You want the outsize department.

• Well, what have you got in size 18?

• Eh? I thought I’d told you we don’t do extra-large in anything.

• All right, but there’s no need to be so unpleasant, you know. I say…I’m talking to you. I said…

• Oh? I’m sorry, madam. I didn’t want to upset madam, did I, madam. I was listening to madam, madam…

Task 3. Read this extract from Practical English Usage by Michael Swan and translate it into Russian.

Many languages have words which are consider dangerous, holy, magic, or shocking, and which are only used in certain situations, or by certain people. For instance, in some African tribes the names of dead chiefs must not be said, in many cultures, words associated with religious beliefs are used only on religious occasions, or by priests. Words of this kind can be called “taboo words”.

Linguistic taboos are less strong than they used to be. How ever students should be very careful about using taboo words swearwords. There are two reasons for this. First of all, it is not easy to know the exact strength of these expressions in a foreign language, or to know what kind of people are shocked by them, and in what circumstances. One may easily say something that is meant as a joke, but which seriously upsets the people one is talking to.

And secondly, swearing generally indicates membership of a group: one most often swears in front of people one knows well, who belong to one’s own “social circle”, age group, etc. (children usually avoid swearing in front of adults, so as not to annoy or shock them, and adults avoid swearing in front of children for similar reasons). So if a foreigner uses swearwords, he may give the impression that he is claiming membership of a group that he doesn’t belong to.