Russian vs. American politeness (was RE: [SEELANGS] =?EUC-KR?Q?=AC=B0_=AC=E1=AC=E0=AC=E4=AC=D6=AC=E2=AC=D6_=AC=E9=AC=E5=AC?= =?EUC-KR?Q?=D3=AC=E3=AC=E4=AC=D3=AC=D1_=AC=E3=AC=E4=AC=DA=AC=DD=AC=F1_?=(Raia Rozina RAN))

[Paul B. Gallagher]

Anna Ronell wrote:

> How about another worthwhile point this article is trying to make -
> the use of obscenities in everyday conversation. It's interesting
> that Rozina says that maybe the increased use of hardcore "mat" by
> women (which was previously unacceptable in polite society) is a sign
> of women's liberation. I see it every day in English. For example, a
> very well known phrase "Bitches get stuff done" is in my view an
> example of this linguistic phenomenon. It still boggles my mind
> though when I hear women refer to each other affectionately as cunts
> or call their friends "my best bitch" instead of "my best friend."

I've heard "bitch" used this way, and I can abide it though I would
never address a woman that way myself (I might do the equivalent with
male buddies, though). As for "cunt," for me that word is so harsh, so
obscene, that I couldn't possibly use it for anything but abuse, and
even then it would take a grievous offense to merit the term. There does
seem to be a difference in what's acceptable and how things are
understood within a gender and across gender lines; compare the usage of
"nigger" across racial lines (so offensive as to constitute a "fighting
word" in the legal sense) vs. its usage within the African-American
community.

-- 
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
--
Paul B. Gallagher
pbg translations, inc.
"Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
http://pbg-translations.com

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