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<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Dear Valerie and List,<br>
<br>
As this is a forum, I must put in my two cents worth. I will maintain
my websites as family-oriented material, and without obscene expression
as much as possible. Just because a language contains obscenity, as
all languages do, there is seldom necessity to put it to use. There
are signs for sex in it's numerous uses as a word, and there are signs
for obscenities which roughly express the same thoughts in a less
gentle manner. I think the point of the discussion is not whether such
terminology should exist, but whether it should become a standard of
expression. Vulgarity, for example, is merely the word meaning "the
common talk". However, in my upbringing, it was not polite to speak in
a vulgar manner in the general company of ladies and gentlemen. </font><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">I also understand that in
some settings and with some people's culture, what may seem vulgar to
"polite company" is common fare amongst them. And as long as it stays
within that culture, people are welcome to "have at it". </font><br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
As educators and public servants, many of us elect to refrain from such
language because it can be and usually is offensive to SOMEONE who
might be present. This varies with culture. What is OK to express in
Denver, Colorado is, in many instances, absolutely NOT OK in Salt Lake
City, Utah. <br>
<br>
Let us persevere to produce language that is acceptable to all who
would hear it, and know what the vulgarities are so that we can avoid
their use in "polite company". I think in this light, that there is a
place for such words in a general dictionary; however, this would
mandate that certain abridgement take place before providing that
dictionary for children's use. Considering this, perhaps a separate
dictionary of vulgarity and obscenity would serve the general good in a
better fashion than placing all signs, no matter what, inside the SAME
work. </font><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">It would be
similar to a friend of mine who teaches technical and mathematical
terminology to deaf students providing just those students who will use
such signs with them, rather than confusing the average person with
"useless" vocabulary. <br>
<br>
I pray that in our processes of developing and defining language, that
we learn to communicate decently and in good order while dealing and
expressing ourselves publicly. Please consider these things as you
develop your dictionaries and write rules for editing.<br>
<br>
Jerry Spillman<br>
Webmaster, Cyberjer.com<br>
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