Communication That Matters

I've had an interesting learning experience over on Straight from the Barrel... these past few days. I've been interviewing Quill Award nominee Patrick Rothfuss, author of the magnificent novel The Name of the Wind. In a few of his answers, he used a word or two that might be considered "uncouth" in certain circles, albeit less and less in this day and age. He was in no way derogatory; he used the terms merely to express strong emotion.

I don't use "bad" language in my own posts. It's not something I'm comfortable with. Normally, I would ask an interviewee or contributing author to shy away from doing so, but in this case, Mr. Rothfuss was clearly expressing genuine feeling.

It made me ask myself, "What's so bad about 'bad' language?"

I'm not sure I have a good answer to that. I don't think there's anything "bad" about it except our own definitions. Yes, there are certain terms that have a derogatory meaning toward certain groups of people, but that's not the kind of "bad" language I'm talking about. I'm just talking about good old-fashioned cussing. Why should I shy away from "cussing" on my site? Why should anyone?

My own preference derives mostly from my upbringing. My parents didn't use that kind of language, so I never became inured to it. There are also several half-remembered remonstrations from various English professors. (Things like, "A good writer can convey strong emotion without resorting to vulgarity.") As though cussing were a failure of creativity.

Well, maybe it is. But then again, maybe it isn't.

In the end, I decided that getting caught up in particular words is a great way to lose sight of the bigger picture--failing to see the forest for the trees, if you will. Or failing to see the dialog for the vocabulary. The point, I think, is not the author's words, but the intention behind them.

Is the writer trying to offend, or trying to convey a feeling? Is the intent merely to antagonize? Or is it to grab one's attention, to stress a certain depth of emotion?

I don't think it's as important to ask what words we choose, as it is to ask why. If the choice is in any way furthering the dialog, if it is allowing us to express our deepest feelings, to communicate more honestly with each other, then surely it's justifiable.

I still don't prefer to use "vulgarity" on the site, but I've become more open to the possibility. In fact, I'll be posting a cuss or two on the blog for the very first time this coming Monday. I can't say I'll always agree to publish this kind of language, but from now on I will certainly consider it, as long as it's communicating something that matters.

---

EM Sky is an author of science fiction and fantasy. She regularly interviews other speculative fiction authors and posts book reviews on her website, Mind Unbound.

Comments

[Rosa Say]

This is interesting to me EM; when I read your interview with Mr. Rothfuss it appeared you did edit out any colorful language he may have used, and I’m wondering, how did he feel about being censored? (Or is your Monday installment a part two where it appears?)

Like you, we were raised without cussing being permitted in our home, and to let any foul word slip would have meant a pretty quick swat from one of our parents (for some reason, that was fine…) However I know you have spent time in Hawai‘i, enough to know that “colorful” language happens pretty regularly here, (particularly in comedy and within pidgin) and many people do think of it as an emotional expression and kind of local street language. There’s quite a double standard … many people would not dare to be that unprofessional at work, but at a backyard party with the neighbors or sitting around a cooler of beer it’s a very different sounding scene between the very same group of people.

I guess I’m somewhat talking my way through the thinking about this … I tend to forgive it quite generously and can easily ignore it (and not judge someone) when it slips out verbally in the spontaneity of someone’s emotion, but in print? I do expect the writer to edit it out, and respect the more beautiful variety of expression in our language, or, in answer to the censorship question, to print a short preface alerting the reader that profanity will appear in my direct quotes --- and I’d be sure the context was quite clear, that the words used were not of my choosing!

[EM]

Hi, Rosa. The post refers to part two, which will be published early Monday morning (EST), July 23.

I often find myself making the same distinction you do between verbal and written language. I will be posting part 2 verbatim, but I will also be including a brief preface to the post regarding the language, just as you mentioned you would--mostly for the sake of my readers, who have probably developed certain expectations regarding the site.

[EM]

It's also worth mentioning that this is an issue to which Pat has devoted considerable thought and attention. He has studied the use of obscenity as an anthropological inquiry and spoke on the topic at worldcon last year.