Language serves to communicate ideas, although it can be perceived as beautiful or ugly, these qualities are of the most subjective nature. An alien mode of speech that at best sounds contrived to the auditor is really little more than wasted effort. The only appropriate use of any language is to communicate ideas with precision, florid arabesques serving merely as parlor tricks among the self-styled erudite. If one chooses to eschew gross terms, this choice should be a personal matter; not imposed by some elitist mob of cloistered scholars who in all fact are as far removed from the common mode of communication of the modern age as is the very deceased Mr. Shakespeare. Whereas I do advocate they study the works of Shakespeare for the enrichment of their minds, I do not wish to inculcate the use of his syntactical and grammatical mode on my students.

1)I also warned them that they’d be assessed and graded based on how judicious and mature they were with their choices.

and 2)The above opened up an interesting discussion on that wiki page in which I asked (typing with one finger because I was eating a sandwich, thus unable to capitalize),

is cordelia’s f-bomb realistic? think about it - would a loving, good daughter use strong curse words to her father, or would she express her emotions with different, more respectful language? how does your dialogue change the characterization of cordelia in the audience’s eyes?….Not a bad beginning for these discussions as the unit continues.

I think we see things the same. It’s all about “teaching” the social contexts through continuing conversations that don’t dodge the realities. I read your post on edubloggerworld (is that the Ning name?) - and would have commented but didn’t feel like joining in order to do so. What I would have said there I’ll say here: we’re on at least a similar page in our desire not to infantilize students.

But I do have a problem with your hypocrisy argument.

Yes, I curse/swear. Yes, I know that teenagers do the same. As I did when I was a teen.

However, it is because of boundaries set by adults that children learn when and how this language is acceptable or appropriate. I know now for example, that I use different language with my friends vs with my boss or in an job interview. Or even when I meet a person for the first time.

How will kids learn this? Only the hard way, when they don’t get a job?

Learning contextual language and how important it is is to understand your audience are elements of good communication. Kids need to learn this and it includes knowing when and how cursing is appropriate and when and how it isn’t.

It is up to adults to inform them of this as it has been for generations. Elders pass on the socially accepted norms.

If a student swears around me, I remind them that they should be aware of who is around them. For example, when I have my 4 and 3 year olds standing next to me, I consider it unfair that they are using that language and subjecting my kids to it.

Like I said…for that lesson, treating them like maturing young adults…awesome.

But I am not yet ready to stop providing guidance on socially accepted norms to guide their understanding of appropriate communication. It is a 21st century skill after all.

Fascinating “translations”!

I would humbly suggest that not all American homes permit profanity, although it does slip in now and again (my kids, now adults, still occasionally insert a graphic word to get a reaction from us - which it always does, even from my Vietnam-era sailor husband! My own parents were mortified if even a gentle “damn” or “hell” broke loose.)

One observation about Cordelia, the “good” child: if everyone else mouthes profanities and she doesn’t, that would set her apart and emphasize her uniquely compassionate and caring nature. Just a thought.

I’ll try to open your posting tomorrow at school, but since our filter routinely blocks sites with an unacceptable count of banned words (including “guns”, “violence”, and anything tagged “humor”!) I am not expecting much success.

Tell your students to keep up the excellent work!

Diane