Musical English Lessons International

TAILORING YOUR LANGUAGE-2 FOR ESL/EFL STUDENTS Exponents v Expletives By Bibi Baxter
More information will be added to this page from time to time
THE CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE Explanation (Scroll to next box) Telling someone to leave Telling someone to stop talking RELATED PAGES Tailoring Your Language-1 (Multi-syllable Verbs v Phrasal Verbs + One-syllable Verbs) Tailoring Your Language-3 (Talking About Bodily Functions)
Exponents v Expletives
IMPORTANT: It is not my policy to publish expletives willy-nilly on this website; however, due to the export of English and American films containing a proliferation of swear-words, I have noticed that students of English worldwide use swear-words indiscriminately, because they have difficulty in deciding which language is suitable to use. Furthermore, many current pop songs contain expletives. I therefore hope this page helps students to understand that English swearwords (which have no meaning to them) can be offensive to native speakers and that there are many English people who do not use swear-words in their everyday vocabulary. When using English, it is important to tailor your language according to whom you are speaking, otherwise you may offend. For example: in rough company, coarse language and swearing might often be acceptable. On the other hand, many people from 55 upwards are still offended by swearing in general conversation, because when they were growing up it was considered unacceptable unless used in anger. The following are general rules, but there will be occasions when stronger language is necessary. The art is to know how to tailor your language to the situation and the people with whom you are dealing. Use polite language in formal situations and to senior members of society If you are angry and polite language is ineffective, use swearing, impolite or coarse language as appropriate, especially if it is already being directed at you Younger generations and rough company often prefer to use coarse language and/or swearing when communicating with each other. Start with polite language if someone is pestering you, but it is possible that stronger language may be necessary. (NOTE: In England, innocent bystanders are more likely to help you if you are not swearing or being coarse.)
TELLING SOMEONE TO LEAVE
POLITE	IMPOLITE	COARSE	SWEARING
Leave me alone, please! Please go away! It's time you went! Please leave! Kindly leave! USED BY POLICE -Move along, please	Go away! Push off! Clear off! 'Op it! TO A CHILD Hop along now!	Piss off! Bog off! Smeg off! Go forth and multiply!	Fuck off! Bugger off! IMPORTANT: Swearing is offensive and could trigger a violent reaction
TELLING SOMEONE TO STOP TALKING NOTE: Telling anyone to stop talking may cause offence, even when said politely.
POLITE	IMPOLITE	COARSE	SWEARING
-Please be quiet! -You've done enough damage, please don't say anything more. -You've said (quite) enough! -Would you please shut up! -Sssssh! (often with finger across lips and no sound) -Hush, hush (said gently to a baby)	-Shut up! -Put a sock in it! -Button your lip! -Silence! -Zip it! -Be quiet! -QUIET! (shouted)	-Belt up -Shut your trap! -Shut the hell up!	-Shut the fuck up! -Shut your fucking mouth! IMPORTANT: Swearing is offensive and could trigger a violent reaction

Note from Bibi: More will be added at a later date; there are no plans at present