Language and swearing in posted pieces.

[HenryIX]

Good morning, and my apologies if this question has already been asked. I did search the forum, but couldn't find any results that answered my question.

Having read the rules on prohibited behaviour, I noticed that swearing is included. My question is: does this apply only to our discussions and forum replies? Or does this also apply to any work we may post on the site? If it does, is it sufficient to censor the words, or should we edit the swearing out/post on another forum?

 

[pmmg]

Typically, swearing is discouraged on the forums.

In stories, there is more freedom, but the site does not really have a great tool to post up stories. If you post things in the story showcase, or critique request, they are not open to the public, and some will look at them. I dont think I've seen anyone balk at profanity, but then, I dont think anyone posts it gratuitously.

IMO, you would be fine unless its like every other word.

 

[Prince of Spires]

IMO, you would be fine unless its like every other word.

Pretty much this I think. If you're unsure, then you can always check with a mod before posting. And you can always add a content warning at the top of the post (though this isn't a way to get around the forum rules of course, just to let readers know what they get into).

 

[HenryIX]

Thanks both. If I get around to posting anything I'll make sure to follow your advice. Really appreciate the advice both of you.

 

[Davey MacDonald]

I was thinking this exact same thing. It is my first time on a writing forum. So I am not sure on what happens here. Swearing, in my stories, does not appear every time I open dialogue, but certain characters have their traits. And they are rather rude to put it mildly.
Mabye, I should post this as my own question… How does posting your work for criticism work. Is there a designated area or do we just find writers who are like-minded, and create a writing group with them?

 

[HenryIX]

Yeah I'm in a similar boat. My characters don't swear often, but they are adults so they do sometimes.

As far as posting work for criticism, there is a separate channel called "Critique Requests." I haven't posted yet, but from what I can see, you post a short excerpt (recommended at less than 3K words), and members may be kind enough to critique it for you. The channel is locked until you reach "acolyte" status, which I see you have, so you should have access to it.

 

[TheCrystallineEntity]

I was thinking this exact same thing. It is my first time on a writing forum. So I am not sure on what happens here. Swearing, in my stories, does not appear every time I open dialogue, but certain characters have their traits. And they are rather rude to put it mildly.
Mabye, I should post this as my own question… How does posting your work for criticism work. Is there a designated area or do we just find writers who are like-minded, and create a writing group with them?

You can post your stories in the Story Showcase or Critique Requests sections. [PSA for any super new members who might be around: these are unlocked along with the Writing Challenges and Character Q&A sections once you make 5 posts].

 

[ThrillhoBaggins]

I'm assuming if swearing absolutely most be used we would be able to substitute our own made up swears to create the same effect?

 

[pmmg]

Yes, you can make up swear words in your stories.

 

[ThrillhoBaggins]

I just feel like that's such a good work around. Writing is at its core communication, so as long as you are getting the point across it does not matter how you did it. Like you can say anything and make the reader can go "oh clearly theyre using the f word" without needing to actually use it.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I'm assuming if swearing absolutely most be used we would be able to substitute our own made up swears to create the same effect?

You'd be surprised how many fictional worlds use fictional swears. But it's generally oh so obvious what they're substituting.

But if I'm using real swears typically the only ones I use are the ones allowed on TV. Probably a good metric if you're writing a teen novel.

Occasionally the F word but even my pottiest potty mouthed characters don't use that often except in extreme cases. Or well, if they're using it for the actual meaning. (which I think is understandable if the character is 'loose lipped' as they say)

For fictional swears I have a few. But they're based on the cultures they come from and not anything 'real'

My favorite fictional swears are the ones that are almost the real word, but with a few letters swapped around/replaced. Fire Emblem does that with a couple of them, but uses 'lesser' swears just fine.

 

[ThrillhoBaggins]

I don’t think I’d be that surprised. Many fiction authors create their own language and swears are a part of that.

 

[pmmg]

I just feel like that's such a good work around. Writing is at its core communication, so as long as you are getting the point across it does not matter how you did it. Like you can say anything and make the reader can go "oh clearly theyre using the f word" without needing to actually use it.

While I do personally understand the function of masking or inferring swear words, it always seems silly to me. If I write F**K, even though the word is masked, I still put the word in your brain, and so...did the mask really accomplish anything? It seems like just an exercise in silliness to me.

But...I do not prefer to use or read those words. Sometimes they are the right one, but if much of what someone writes is just spattered with them, well, I start to think things about the poster--(All we do projects something about ourselves--just sayin..)

I do, however, prefer the world unfiltered. Just used responsibly, if that is possible.

In spite of all of that though, the forum has its own rules, and it curtails our use of those words if we follow them. I will support the rules.

 

[Prince of Spires]

While I do personally understand the function of masking or inferring swear words, it always seems silly to me. If I write F**K, even though the word is masked, I still put the word in your brain, and so...did the mask really accomplish anything? It seems like just an exercise in silliness to me.

One interesting thing I find is that by censoring things, you're making it worse than it actually is. If you censor something, people notice and they get taught (even subconciously) that it's a bad word. You shouldn't say it or write it. As a consequence, it becomes a bad thing to say.

Of course, you can't undo a generation of censoring words by yourself. It's now embeded in the public consiousness. But it is how different words end up having a different feeling in different languages. Swear words as such never translate 1-on-1 for this specific reason. What's a swear in one language (because parents have been telling kids not to say it for years) is a perfectly normal and everyday word in another language.

Doesn't mean you should just throw them around of course. Follow the forum rules and all that. It is however, something to think about for your everyday life.

 

[ThrillhoBaggins]

If swearing is discouraged, or worse penalized, then censoring it becomes necessary.