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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I agree, Laura. I have found this discussion very interesting, and
I certainly accept the cultural differences that are in play here, but my
concern was not about the language in terms of its ’foulness’; I’m
not particularly squeamish about letting a swear word fly, even in front of my four
year old daughter. But never *<b>at</b>* her, and I think it is the combination
of the actions and the language used as if directed at a person that made me
uncomfortable for the child.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>The language used and violence depicted does make the film
somewhat problematic if it is intended for use as an educational tool. I would certainly
not be allowed to show such a film in primary (elemental) school, and there may
be difficulties in getting it shown in secondary school. But I may well use it
with the tertiary education students I teach, and get their responses. I have
shown several of my colleagues, and they have each had a similar reaction to
mine, in that their concern for the child overshadowed their agreement with the
anti-abuse message contained within the film.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this discussion;
much food for thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Heather<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Australia<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> International Gender and Language
Association [mailto:GALA-L@LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Laura
Tolton<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, 4 May 2008 12:48 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> GALA-L@LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [GALA-L]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Several comments have
focused on "strong language" and how shocking this is depending
on what culture we use to understand it. Let's not lose sight of the fact
that this is a portrayal of abuse, both physical and verbal/emotional.
The individual words used may be strong or not, but the message, the actions
and the implications are essential to understanding the film. The words
used don't have to be particularly strong-there is a strong message. The message
from the girl to her doll is in fact quite typical of messages communicated in
abusive marriages, in examples I have knowledge of from both Colombia (Bogotá)
and the United States (small town, Midwest), as well as what I have learned
from readings about abusive talk in other places. *Swearing* (which
occurs in the English translation more than the Spanish version) is not what
makes something abusive or not! </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>"</span><span
class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Being
direct, argumentative and coming out strong is a positive thing and children
are exposed to and learn to use fighting words early</span></span><span
class=apple-style-span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>".
</span></span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br>
<span class=apple-style-span>In response, I have to say that I cannot believe
that this use of language somehow empowers the girl-she is acting out abuse, as
if she were her father! Sometimes the message communicated through
actions is easier to understand as abusive than a message communicated using
words. If we consider the girl rubbing the doll's face in the food, is
that empowering the girl? Whether she is supposedly learning to act like
her mother or her father, I do not see how this could be an empowering
experience for her. </span></span><span class=apple-style-span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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