Sorry if the lyrics at end of the mail offend anyone. Stop now if you feel uncomfortable with c-words, f-words etc. I think this song illustrates that context is all-important in deciding what (kind of ) language is appropriate to use with what target audience and in what circumstances. Whether anyone chooses to use these 'taboo' words is up to the individual and I would respect that, although I would also defend another person's right to use the same words. I would also hope that the 'offending' speaker would take note of the feelings of the others and the social situation and be conscious of the effects that these words might have on some people. When I was a teenage member of the working class in a heavily male-dominant society I never gave a second thought to using this kind of language in the public sphere but never at home, very rarely at school and very infrequently at work, depending on the job I had at that time. All-male workplaces obviously had a higher degree of 'bad language'. Now, many years later and after thinking about the matter for many years and especially after learning to swear in two new languages it has been very difficult to know when such language is inappropriate or not. It is curious to see my peers using these words in Spanish and Catalan amongst themselves and yet when I use the same words I get really strange looks as if I am not entitled to use this language for some reason. Having fewer English speaking friends here means I swear less in English too and it seems like years since I was able to let rip with an expletive. I can't say I miss it but it seems that I've lost a little of my power of expression, and that's a matter of regret, I suppose. The point about the song is that it is sung and written by a woman about a very emotive subject, sexual betrayal, and her language is as raw as her emotions. Would it be more acceptable to hear these words from the mouth of a man? Would Prince's Sexy MF have been accepted so easily if it had been by, say, Queen Latifah? Why does Minnie Ripperton change Joni's 'fuck your strangers' line to 'lay with strangers'? Would we feel any different about Joni (or Rikki Lee or Carly or whoever) if they used the words that slip so easily out of the mouth of male singers? I can still remember the shock of hearing Al Pacino calling Kevin Spacey a 'cunt' in Glengarry Glen Ross, although this was surpassed by Woody Allen in (I think) 'Deconstructing Harry' or maybe 'Small Time Crooks'. The title is unimportant. Are there any examples of women using the c-word in the movies? I don't remember ever hearing it. I think we are in the field of double standards again. Remember when Martina Navratilova made her remark about Magic Johnson; something like if a man has slept with 20,000 women he's a stud, while any woman with the same number would be the biggest slut on the planet. I'll stop here for the moment but to those who wish to use taboo words 'safely' I would say just this: other people have different degrees of sensitivity to these words, especially 'cunt'. Not because it is any 'harder' than any other word in itself but because its usage has become associated with the most extreme exclamations. It is unfortunate, but probably not coincidental, that the very worst thing you can call a man or a women refers to the sexual organs of a woman. I am all for reclaiming language and support Lori's stand on this. Personally I wouldn't have sent the fish joke to the list. Personally, I stress. Personally, I would be embarrassed to watch my parents see the clip, but in another context (crowded bar after half a dozen pints in an all-male group) I suspect I'd react differently. Cultural differences between class and gender communities are tricky enough within any single language culture/community but Debra's feelings about the matter show that in another, superficially similar, speech community the words carry a meaning that I am sure were not implicit in Colin's post.
mike in Barcelona NP Ella Fitzgerald 'Insensatez' (How Insensitive) from Ella sings Jobim. Why'd ya do it? Marianne Faithful, Barry Reynolds et al When I stole a twig from our little nest and gave it to a bird with nothing in her beak. I had put my balls and my brains put into a vice and twisted around for a whole fucking week. Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd ya let that trash get a hold of your cock? Get stoned on my hash? Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd ya let her suck your cock? Aw, do me a favour. Don't put me in the dock. Why'd ya do it? She said. They're mine, all your tools. You've just tied me to the mast of the ship of fools. Why'd ya do it? She said. When you know it makes me sore. 'Cos she had cobwebs up her fanny and I believe in giving to the poor. Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd you spit on my snatch? Are we out of love now? Is this just a bad patch? Why'd ya do it? She said. Ain't nothing to laugh. You just tore all our kisses right in half. Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd you do what you did? Betray my little oyster for such a low fig. Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd you do what you did? You drove my ego to a really bad skid. Why'd ya do it? She said. After all we've said. Every time I see your dick I see her cunt in my bed The whole room was swirling. Her lips were still curling. Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd you do what you did? Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd you do what you did? Why'd ya do it? She said. Why'd ya do it? She said Why'd you do what you did? Oh big grey mother. I love you, forever. With your barb-wire pussy and your good and bad weather. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: Click Here
