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Taboos a n d
lssues
Richard MacAndrew Ron Martinez
T H O I V T S O N
=+--.-
H E I N L E
Australia Canada Mexico Singapore Spain United Kingdom United States
lntroduction
Introduction
T e a c h e r s o f t e n c o m p l a i n t h a t t e a c h i n g m a t e r i a l s a r e b l a n d a n d d e v o i d o f t h e v e r y t o p i c s w e d i s c u s s i n o u r d a i l y l i v e s . T h e t i t l e o f t h i s b o o k s u g g e s t s that the material covers controversial and difficult i s s u e s w h i c h s t u d e n t s m a y b e r e l u c t a n t to d i s c u s s . M a n y o f t h e i s s u e s a r e in d e e d c o n t r o v e r s i a l b u t t h e m a t e r i a l is i n n o w a y i n t e n d e d t o s h o c k . In f a c t , th e c o n t e n t s c l o s e l y r e s e m b l e th o s e w e f i n d i n o u r newspapers every day.
T h e r e a r e g o o d r e a s o n s w h y g e n e r a l c l a s s r o o m m a t e r i a l s a v o i d t o p i c s w h i c h m a y l e a d t o e m b a r r a s s m e n t o r f r i c t i o n i n t h e c l a s s r o o m . M a n y t e a c h e r s m a y b e h e s i t a n t t o u s e s u c h m a t e r i a l s . H o w e v e r , m a n y m o r e experienced teachers r e c o g n i s e t h e m o t i v a t i o n a l v a l u e o f m a t e r i a l s w h i c h m o r e c l o s e l y re f l e c t th e r e a l w o r l d .
T h i s b o o k p r e s e n t s ju s t s u c h s t i m u l a t i n g a n d r e l e v a n t t o p i c s . T h r e e b r o a d c a t e g o r i e s a r e c o v e r e d :
1 . te r b o o s s u c h a s s w e a r i n g , ta l k i n g a b o u t d e a t h a n d p r o s t i t u t i o n
2 . s e r i o u s i s s u e s s u c h a s r a c i s m a n d g e n e t i c e n g i n e e r i n g
3. personal matters such as appearance, hygiene and nudity.
The materiirl is not intended to form the basis of a course but a resource from which teachers can, with their students, select topics which interest them. The material should only be used with classes you know well and where the students are sensitive enough to respect and trust both you and t h e i r f e l l o w s t u d e n t s . E v e n t h e n , y o u m u s t u s e th e m a t e r i a l s e n s i t i v e l y . I n d i v i d u a l s t u d e n t s o r members of their family or close friends may have i m m e d i a t e , p e r s o n a l , e v e n p a i n f u l , e x p e r i e n c e o f m a n y o f t h e t o p i c s . In s o m e cases, y o u m a y want t o c h e c k w i t h a n i n d i v i d u a l s t u d e n t b e f o r e u s i n g a p a r t i c u l a r to p i c i n class. I t i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t t e a c h e r s remain alert for difficulties. If a particular issue b e c o m e s t o o s e n s i t i v e , t h e t e a c h e r m u s t b e w i l l i n g t o a b a n d o n th e t o p i c a n d b e p r e p a r e d t o m o v e o n to something completely different.
H o w a u n i t i s o r g a n i s e d
M o s t u n i t s io l l o w t h i s p a t r c r n :
left hand page: introductory discussion and one or more short texts
r i g h t h a n d p a g e : la n g u a g e w o r k and further d i s c u s s i o n .
The lcft hernd page usually provides the basic m a t e r i a l f o r a l e s s o n , w h i l e t h e r i g h t h a n d p a g e p r o v i d e s e x t e n s i o n o r f o l l o w - u p w o r k .
M e t h o d o l o g y
It is expected that this material will be used by e x p e r i e n c e d t e a c h e r s . T h e t e a c h e r s ' n o t e s , t h e r e f o r e , h a v e b e e n k e p t t o a m i n i m u m a n d c o m p r i s e o n l y s h o r t n o t e s , t h e a n s w e r s , a n d o c c a s i o n a l e x t r a i d e a s .
Bearing in mind the sensitive nature of many of the topics, we suggest it will usually be best to start by asking students to think silently about some of the questions before they are asked to say anything at a l l . T h e y t h e n w o r k i n p a i r s a n d s m a l l g r o u p s before the topic is opened up to the whole class.
In a similar way, with the reading texts, students often work in pairs, with each reading a different short text, which they then report to their partner, before the material is dealt with in the whole class.
During individual or pair work, monitor what is h a p p e n i n g . Y o u m a y w i s h t o h e l p o u t w i t h language where necessary, but you can also judge w h e t h e r a n d h o w t h e t o p i c ( s ) c a n b e o p e n e d o u t t o a w i d e r c l a s s d i s c u s s i o n .
It goes without saying that, as the teacher, you should remain neutral throughout any discussions, seeking only to encourage students to express their views.
Students will often have strongly-held views and possibly profound personal experiences which they are willing to share with the class. Indeed, trying to engage students in this way is perhaps the prime p u r p o s e o f t h e m a t e r i a l s . W h i l e e n c o u r a g i n g a n d h e l p i n g t h e m t o e x p r e s s t h e i r v i e w s a n d experiences, you must, however, never lose sight of the fact that it is a language lesson and they must b e i n n o w a y p r e s s u r i s e d in t o d i s c u s s i n g o r revealing things about themselves with which they are in any way unhappy. A student who wishes to remain silent must have their right to do so respected.
U s i n g th e i n t e r n e t
Because the topics are controversial and regularly in the news, it will almost always be easy to find related material by a quick search of the internet.
Usually typing two or three key words into a s e a r c h e n g i n e w i l l b e s u f f i c i e n t t o g i v e y o u contemporary examples relevant to the topic.
Richard MacAndrew Ron Martinez
Contents
1 . D e a t h
Talking dhout deatb, funerals, home burials
2 . N u d i t y
'V/earing
no clothes is natural. .Wby
do people get so upset about this?
3. Politically incorrect jokes
Is it OK to joke about disabled people, religion, deatb?
4. Taboo conversation topics
Questions you cdn't ask. For example: How much do you weigh /earn?
5. lt should be banned!
Bullfighting, human cloning, boxing, the Ku Klux Klan - ban them all!
6. Not my type
Bdd breath, bites his nails, thin legs - what do you auoid in a pdrtner?
7. Sex for sale
Prostitution - cdn we stoD it? Should we stctD it?
8. Swearing
Is it OK to swear? What swetr words do/could you use?
9. Torture
Does torture happen in your country? Is torture always wrong?
10. Sexual harassment
rYhat's wrong with telling a colleague she has nice legs?
11. Bribery and corruption
Rewards, gifts, bribes, perks - is there any difference?
12. Designer babies
Blonde hair, blue eyes - would yow like to design your children?
1 3 . C h i l d r e n w h o k i l l
.When
a child kills someone, who is responsible - the child, the parents, society?
14. Gays and jobs
Does it matter that d doctor, teacher, or tbe Prime Minister is gay?
1 5 . A n i m a l r i g h t s
We eat them, we do experiments on them, we keep them as pets. Do you object?
16. Marriage - for better or for worse
What's the point of marriage these days? .Wbat's
wrong with diuorce?
17. Nobody needs a gun
Gun massacres in schools. .Why
do people carry guns? 'Would
you euer use a gun?
18. The sale of human organs
.Would
you let doctors remoue your orgdns? .Wbat
about people who sell their organs?
1 9 . A I D S
What do you know about AIDSi .Would
yow treat a friend differently if (s)he had HIV?
20. Telling lies
How honest dre you?
21. Abortion
Are you Pro-life or Pro-choice?
National stereotYPes
"They're lazy and'rlirhonrrt." Blind preiwdice, or is tbere some truth in stereotypes?
Cheating on Your Partner
tflhat is cbeating? Just looking dt someone else, fantasising' dn e-mdil relationsbip!
Are you haPPY with Your bodY?
Cosmetic surgery i, ,o ionger iust/or the rich and famous' Haue you thought about it?
lmmigration and racism
Ho* io you feel about people from other countries coming to liue in yours?
Ghanging sex
Transsexuals - would you feel uncomfortable if you sat next to d trdnssexual?
ls this news?
rwbat is the news for - to prouide facts or to sbock and entertain?
The right to die
Euthanasid - who has the right to choose?
Old enough to be her grandfather!
A 7T-year-ild *on with a 25-year-old woman? .V/hy not?
Big Brother is watching!
Are we losing our priuacy? Haue you got anything trt be woftied about?
Anxiety and depression
Do you get depressed? 'What
c(tn you do about it?
Gay families
f*L ,lacl, and no mum. rybat is a normal family these days?
Begging
Should we giue beggars money or lock them up?
Compensation culture
More pectple are swing than euer before. Is it right or is it iust easy money?
Sport and money
Are tolt sports professionals ouerpaid?
Vanity
Are men uainer than women?
Legalising drugs
Is it time to cbange the laws on soft drugs?
Turning the other cheek
Do you-find it easy to forgiue people or do you hold grudges?
The death PenaltY Are you in fauour of it?
Addictions
Alcohol, nicotine, drugs, chocglate, shctpping, football.'what dre you hooked on?
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Introduction
Do you find this conversation offensive?
I haven't seen Harry for months. How is he?
> D e a d ! He died just before Christmas.
Which would you prefer to say?
H e p a s s e d a w a y j u s t b e f o r e Christmas.
o r W e l o s t h i m j u s t before Christmas.
D o y o u use similar expressions in your language to avoid the words dead or died? lf so, what are they?
Discussion
l n y o u r country:
1 . W h e n someone d i e s , w h a t h a p p e n s t o t h e i r b o d y ? a. It is buried. b.It is cremated. c. Something else 2 . \ 7 h e r e do funeral ceremonies t a k e p l a c e ?
a. In a church b. At d sbrine c. Sometuhere else 3 . W h o u s u a l l y attends funerals?
d. Only men b. Men and women c. Anyone 4 . W h a t colour do people wear ro signify death?
a. Black b . W h i t e c. A different colowr
. 5 . W h a t d o p e o p l e usually do at funerals?
a. Cry openly and express strong emotions.
b. Keep their emotions under control.
c. Try not to cry, but cry quietly if they cdnnot help it.
When you die, would you prefer to be buried or cremated?
Reading
Read the two articles opposite. Then choose the best answers to these two questions:
1 . W h y do you think nobody sang the final song at the fur-reral <tf George Ramsbottom?
a. Because they didn't agree with George's brotber.
b. Becduse they were shocked hy what had happened.
2 . W h a t i s Maplethorpe council going to do?
a. Order the body to be re-buried in a cemetery.
b. l"lothing.
D i s c u s s the questions below in pairs:
1 . W a s F r a n k Ramsbottom right ro make the speech?
2 . " Y o u should never speak ill of the dead." Do you agree ?
3 . C a n y o u b u r y someone i n t h e i r g a r d e n in your c o u n t r y ?
4. Can you scatter their ashes wherever you like?
5 . H o w w o u l d y o u feel if your nexr-door neighbours b u r i e d t h e i r g r a n d m o r h e r i n their back garden?
"Die,
my dear doctor? That's t h e l a s t t h i n g I s h a l l d o ! "
Lord PctLmerstot't
SURPRISING HONESTY AT FUNERAL Family and friends at the funeral of George Ramsbottom in Honley, West Yorkshire, were stunned when his brother, Frank, stood up in the church and told everyone that his brother would not be missed.
Describing his brother as the meanest man he had ever met, he went on to list all the people who would be glad to know that George had died, and gave the reasons why.
He claimed that George was a liar, a cheat, a womaniser and a drunk. "He owed money to half the people in the village; he had ruined a number of marriages; and he was often incredibly rude for no good reason. No one will be sad that he has sone." said Frank Ramsbottom.
Mr Ramsbottom's unexpected speech was followed by complete silence. Eventually Margaret Dudley, the minister in charge of the service, stood to say, "Let us give thanks for George's life with our final song." She then sang on her own while everyone else stood in silence. The service ended shortlv afterwards.
HOME BURIAL CAUSES ANGER A family who buried a relative in their back garden have angered neighbours.
Residents of a care home were shocked to see the coffin of Daniel Stevens lowered into a grave in Chesterfield Road, Maplethorpe.
Staff at the Adamson care home, which overlooks the garden, want the body re- buried in a cemetery.
Geraldine Thomson, the manager of the home, said: "Someone
sent me a letter last week to say the funeral would happen on Thursday. I thought it was ajoke.
There were about 200 people in the garden for the service. When I called the police they said they couldn't do anything to stop it because it wasn't illegal."
Maplethorpe council said it was not able to prevent a burial on private land as long as certain rules were followed.
Death Iaboos and /ssues
Language
Use the correct form of these verbs below:
die kill murder
. . . f o r a 1 . I ' m j u s t g o i n g o u t s i d e . I ' m
c i g a r e t t e .
2 . D o y o u w a n t a d r i n k ?
> Y e s , I c o u l d . . . a c u p o f t e a . 3 . W h a t ' s y o u r n e w b o y f r i e n d li k e ? I ' m
. . . . t 0 m e e t h i m .
4 . I ' v e b e e n o u t s h o p p i n g a l l d a y . M y f e e t a r e . . . m e !
5 . T h e t r a i n d o e s n ' t le a v e ti l l 4 , s o w e ' v e g o t n e a r l y a n h o u r t o . . .
6. Just keep quiet. 'Whenever
you open your m o u t h , y o u . . . . . t h e E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e !
Add the following words to these sentences:
death murder
7 . W h e n i s i t g o i n g t o s t o p r a i n i n g ? I' m s i c k t o of this weather!
8 . S o r r v I ' m s o l a t e . T h e t r a f f i c w a s . .
Discussion
Answer the questions below on your own:
"'Will you please take your feet off *y best cbair!"
1. How do you feel when the subject of death comes into the conversation?
a. [Jncomfortable - I don't want to talk abowt it.
b. lt depends how other people redct.
c. Fine - it's perfectly natural to talk about death.
O r d o y o u h a v e a n o t h e r r e a c t i o n ?
2. You have to tell a close friend that a mutual friend of yours has died. You know that they were very close . How would you start the conversation?
a. I'm afraid we won't be meeting Mary for lunch on Friday after all.
b. Haue you heard? Mary's jwst died.
c. You'd better sit dotun. I'ue got some bad news about Mary. She died last night.
C)r would you say something else?
3. A friend of yours (a rather unreliable one) has just died, owing you a lot of money. After the funeral his sister comes to talk to you. Do you say:
a. I was hoping to meet one of the family so I can get my money back.
b. Poor George! He was such a good friend. (and forget about the money) c. I shall miss George - but not as much as the ["1000 he ctwed me!
O r w o u l d y o u s a y s o m e t h i n g e l s e ?
4. If the only work available was working with dead bodies - for example as an undertaker or a pathologist - what would you do?
a. Take the job. Somebody bas to do lobs like that. It's no big deal.
b. I could neuer do a iob like that.'What would my friends think? I'd rather starue.
c. I'd ask for a huge salary. It would be OK if I was paid a lot.
d. Please stop tall<ing about it. I feel sick.
C o m p a r e a n d d i s c u s s y o u r a n s w e r s in p a i r s o r s m a l l g r o u p s . ls it OK to joke about death?
9 . Y o u l o o k l i k e . . w a r m e d u p ! A r e y o u i l l ?
1 0 . I d o n ' t j u s t w a n t t o s i t o n t h e b e a c h a l l d a y . I'll be bored to . . .
D o y o u h a v e s i m i l a r id i o m s i n y o u r l a n g u a g e ? Do you know these idiomatic expressions?
He's kicked the bucket.
He's popped his c/ogs.
He's gone to meet his maker.
Iaboos and /ssues
Nudity
Vocabulary
Nude / Naked - both words mean wearing no crothes. For exampre:
H e w r r s completely n a r k e d . S h e was standing there, in the nude.
Naturism is the activity of not wearing any clothes because you believe it
The peopfe who do this are called nudists or naturists. is more natural or healthy.
4. You are ar the beach with your family. A man a n d a woman put their towels near you, take o f f a l l their clothes and lie down to sunbathe.
5. You are invited to dinner by some people you don't know very well. After dinner, they show you their holiday photographs. They had been to a naturist resort in the south of France. The p i c t u r e s l e a v e n o t h i n g to the imagination!
6. Your new boyfriend/girlfriend suggests gorng ro the beach. 'V7hen
you get there, it,s a nudist b e a c h .
a. 5,000 b. 25,000 c. 50,000 a . 1 0 b . 5 0 c . 1 0 0
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D i s c u s s i o n
H o w would you react in the following situations? would you laugh, be embarrassed, cover your eyes, h a v e a good look, or do something else?
l . Y o u are warching a football match when a n r r k e c l w o m a n runs onto the pitch and stops the garrnc.
2. Some ncw friends of yours have a sauna. After c l i n n c r , t h e y s u g g e s t y o u all relax and chat in the siruna. When you are getting ready, you c l i s c o v e r t h a t y o u are expected t o b e n a k e d . - 1 . Y r u rrre shopping in the main street of your
t o w n . You notice a man walking down the s t r e e t . H e i s not wearing any clothes, but is c a r r f in g a shopping bag.
R e a d i n g
Answer these questions. Then read the article to find out the answers.
l . H o w manv narlrrists d o y o u think there are in Britain?
2 . H o w many official nudist beaches d o y o u think there are in Britain?
. 1 . D . v..r think it is p.ssible to go on a nudist package holiday?
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EVERY BEACH SHOULD BE A NUDIST BEACH
This sunrmer British naturists are spokesperson fbr BN, the British planning kr swirn and bathe naked Naturism magazine. "we wilr on public beaches throughout the def'end our members in court ... as collntry to draw .ttention to public long as we are satisfiecl that they a n d o f f i c i a l o p p . s i t i o n to their have behaved reasonably and l i t ' e s t y l e . t h e r e ' s b e e n n o i n d e c e n t British Naturism. the leading UK behaviour."
o r g a n i s a t i o n f b r n a t u r i s t s . is n o t The Nucle Tolerance Campaign, only encouraging its members to which started quietty last b a t h e n a k e d w h e r e v e r they want, November, is building up as b u t i s a l s o p r o m i s i n g to clef'end summer arrives and Britain's the''in court if they iire arrestecl by 25,000 naturists arrive at beaches
the policc. and clubs all over the UK. There
"Basically.
.ur view is that every wiil also be a nude cross-Channel b c a c h is a n a t u r i s t s ' b e a c h , " s a i c l a r e l a y s w i m f i o m the south of
Nudity
England to France, which British N a t u r i s m h o p e s w i l l increase awareness of topless and nudist beaches in many parts of the world.
Britain already has I 70 clubs and l0 beaches where naturism is ofTicially p e r m i t t e d a n d , s u r p r i s i n g l y , the naturist lifestylc is becoming big business. Members of BN enjoy d i s c o u n t s o n f e r r y s e r v l c e s . car rental and breakdown insurancc and can enjoy f2,000 nudist Caribbean c r u i s e s . S e v e r a l l a r g e tour operators, including Virgin. offer natunst summer packages.
Taboos and /ssues
Politically incorrect jokes
D i s c u s s i o n
R e a d th i s j o k e a b o u t a b l i n d p e r s o n . ls i t f u n n y ?
A blind man and his guide dog went into a department store to do some Christmas shopping. Atl of a sudden, the man picked up his dog by the tail and started to swing it)round in a circle. A sales assistant shouted, "sir! Can I hellt yctu?" "No thanks," the blind man replied, "I'm
iust looking"'
Have you ever laughed at something that other people thought was not funny or told a joke which upset people? Describe the situation.
ls it OK to tel jokes about anything and everything? Would any or all of the following offend you? Why?
. a ioke about a physically disabled person . a joke that makes fun of women
. a ioke that makes fun of men . a loke that makes fun of the elderly . a ioke that ridicules a particular religion
. a ioke involving a particular country or nationality . a loke making fun of lawyers
. a ioke that makes fun of blondes
Do you know any jokes involving any of the above?
ls there a particular group of people in your country who are often the object of jokes?
Language
Use the correct form of these verbs to complete the jokes below:
pLtt h a u e
drown call
m a k e take
climb
retrdtn
say throw 1 . H o w d o y o u . . . a b l o n d e la u g h o n 6 .
F r i d a y ?
> T e l l h e r a j o k e o n M o n d a y . 7 . 2 . H o w d o y o u . . . a b l o n d e ?
> Put a mirror on the bottom of a swimming p o o l .
3. What's the difference between a blonde and a c o m p u t e r ?
> You only have to . . . information into a computer once.
4. Why did the blonde . . . over the glass w i r l l ?
> Tcr see what was on the other side.
S . W h a t d o y o u d o i f a b l o n d e . . . - a g r e n a d e a t y o u ?
> Pull the pin out and throw it back.
\fhy don't blondes get coffee breaks?
> It takes too long to . . . them afterwards.
'V7hat
do intelligent blondes and UFOs . . . i n c o m m o n ?
> You often hear about them, but you never s e e o n e .
8. How many blondes does it . . . to screw i n a l i g h t b u l b ?
> O n e . S h e h o l d s t h e b u l b s t i l l a n d t h e w o r l d revolves around her.
9. IX/hat do you . . . a blonde with half a b r a i n ?
> Gifted.
1 0 . W h a t w o u l d a b l o n d e ' . . i f h e r d o c t o r told her that she was pregnant?
> I s i t m i n e ?
Did you find these jokes offensive? Do you know anybody who would? Are they blonde?
Thi;k about a joke that you know and try to translate it into English. Write it down first and then tell it to a c l a s s m a t e .
Pol itically i n corre ct iokes Taboos and /ssues
Reading
The authors would like to make it clear that none of the following jokes has been written by them. They are typical of jokes which exist in books of jokes and on joke websites. The jokes printed here are among the least offensive! As you read the jokes below, rate each one for its level of humour and level of offensiveness:
HUMOUR A: very funny
OFFENSIVENESS A: verv offensive
loke 1
Q : H o w c a n y o u te l l w h e n a l a w y e r i s l y i n g ? A : H i s li p s a r e m o v i n g .
foke 2
A w o m a n w a s p a y i n g f o r s o m e it e m s i n a
s u p e r m a r k e t - a pint of milk, a packet o f b a c o n , a small bag of rice and a few vegetables. The man at t h e c h e c k o u t s a i d , " l bet you're single, a r e n ' t y o u ? "
" W e l l yes, I am," the woman replied. " H o w did you k n o w ? " " B e c a u s e y o u ' r e r e a l l y v e r y u g l y , " r e p l i e d t h e m a n .
foke 3
HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMAN
C o m p l i m e n t h e r , c u d d l e h e r , k i s s h e r , c a r e s s h e r , love her, stroke her, comfort her, protect her, hug her, wine and dine her, buy gifts for her, listen to her, respect her, stand by her, support her, go to the ends of the earth for her.
H O W T O I M P R E S S A M A N A r r i v e n a k e d . . . w i t h b e e r . foke 4
H o w d o y o u m a k e a d o g d r i n k ? P u t it i n a l i q u i d i s e r .
foke 5
Q : H o w d o m e n s o r t t h e i r la u n d r y ? A : ' F i l t h y ' a n d ' F i l t h y b u t s t i l l w e a r a b l e . ' foke 6
Q : W h a t h a s f o u r le g s a n d e i g h t a r m s ?
A : A p i t - b u l l t e r r i e r i n a c h i l d r e n ' s p l a y g r o u n d .
B : a b i t f u n n y C : n o t f u n n y
B: a little offensive C: not offensive at all
loke 7
How do you make a cat go 'woof'?.
Soak it in petrol and throw it on the fire.
foke B
There was a young man from Calcutta, Who had the most terrible stutter, H e s a i d , P a s s t h e h - h a m ,
And the 1r-ffjam,
And the b-b-b-b-b-b-butter.
foke 9
A y o u n g m a n w i t h a w i l d a n d m u l t i - c o l o u r e d hairstyle sits next to an old man on a park bench.
The old man stares at the young man. "What's the matter, old man?" says the young man. "Never done a n y t h i n g c r a z y i n y o u r l i f e ? " T h e o l d m a n r e p l i e s :
"Yeah. When I was in the Navy, I got really drunk one night and had sex with a parrot. I thought you m i g h t b e m y s o n . "
l o k e 1 0
Q: How do you know when you're too fat?
A: When you step on the scales and it says 'To b e c o n t i n u e d . '
f o k e 1 1
Q: If your wife comes out of the kitchen to nag you, what have you done wrong?
A : M a d e h e r c h a i n t o o l o n g . f o k e 1 2
Q : W h y d o l t a l i a n m e n w e a r l o t s o f g o l d c h a i n s a r o u n d th e i r n e c k s ?
A: So they know when to stop shaving.
Match the following reactions to the relevant jokes above:
a. Anybody who thinks setting fire to an animal is funny needs psychiatric help. They are sick!
b. That's in really bad taste. People who have a speech impedimenr can'r help it.
c . I d o n ' t t h i n k y o u s h o u l d jo k e about people's a p p e a r a n c e . I t ' s n o t t h e i r f a u l t ! d . I d o n ' t g e t i t . ( I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d t h e j o h e . )
D i s c u s s i o n
Did you find any of the jokes offensive or 'sick'? Which, it any?
Who would be offended by the jokes above? Consider each one with a partner.
Are there any categories of jokes that you would describe as offensive that were not included above?
Taboos and /ssues Pol iti ca I ly i n correct joke s
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Taboo conversation topics
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D i s c u s s i o n
W o r k i n p a i r s . D i s c u s s these questions:
W h e n y o u f i l l i n a f o r m , are you h"ppy to give this information:
Yottr age?
Your mdrital statusl Your income?
A r e t h e r e any other questions you don't like answering?
Reading
R e a d th r o u g h t h e f o u r c o n v e r s a t i o n s b e l o w . W h o a r e t h e p e o p l e a n d w h a t i s t h e s i t u a t i o n ? Conversation 1
A : Y o u r b l o o d p r e s s u r e i s a b s o l u t e l y f i n e . H a v e y o u b e e n e a t i n g n o r m a l l y ?
B : O h y e s . T h e same as normal.
A : A n d d o y o u t a k e a n y r e g u l a r exercise?
B : Y e s , I p l a y s q u a s h t w i c e a w e e k .
A : M m . T e l l m e , h o w m u c h do you weigh?
B : A b o u t 6 8 k i l o s . Gonversation 2
A: Hello, I'm Jean Walker. 'We've
just moved in nert door.
B : P a u l B u r t o n . P l e a s e d t o m e e t y o u . D o y o u w o r k l o c a l l y ?
A: Yes, I'm a solicitor with a firm on the High Street.
B : A s o l i c i t o r . T h a t ' s a g o o d j o b . H o w m u c h do you eirrn ?
Conversation 3
A : H e l l o . I ' r n l o o k i n g f o r a white tennis shirt.
B : O K . T e n n i s shirts are over here.
A : A s y o u c a n see, I ' l l n e e d a f a i r l y l a r g e srze.
B: Yes, I c:rn see that. How much do you weigh, i f y o u d o n ' t m i n d m e asking?
Conversation 4
A : G a r e t h , y o u w i l l be delighted t o h e a r t h a t w e w o r - r l d l i k e t o o f f e r y o u the job.
B : G r e a t ! T h a n k y o u very much.
A: \7e need tc'r talk a bit about salaries.
B : R i g h t , y e s , of course.
A : R e r n i n d m e , h o w m u c h do you earn at the m o m e n t ?
B : A b o u t {35,000 a year.
A : Y e s , w e l l , w e w o n ' t be able to give you more than that initirrlly, but we shor-rld be able t<;
m a t c h i t .
"Good morning. I'd like to talk t o y o u a h o u t t h e B i b l e . "
D i s c u s s i o n
1 . I n e a c h d i a l o g u e th e r e i s a p e r s o n a l q u e s t i o n . Decide if the question is appropriate to the s i t u a t i o n a n d t h e s p e a k e r s . l f i t i s n o t appropriate, why isn't it?
2 . T h e q u e s t i o n s in c o n v e r s a t i o n s 2 a n d 3 d o n o t h a v e a n s w e r s . H o w d o y o u t h i n k t h e s p e a k e r s h o u l d r e p l y i n t h e s e s i t u a t i o n s ?
3. Have you ever been asked an inappropriate q u e s t i o n ? When and who by? How did you respond? Have you ever asked an inappropriate q u e s t i o n by accident? What happened?
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Taboo conversation topics Taboos and /ssues
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i= Language
i- Mark the expressions below in the following way:
O if they are polite ways of asking personal questions
E R if they are ways of responding to personal questions
F . ! l . l h o p e y o u d o n ' t m i n d m e a s k i n g , b u t . . . E r
2 . I ' d r a t h e r n o t a n s w e r t h a t ( i f y o u d o n ' t m i n d ) .
h 1 ' l
t - J . t K n o w t h i s i s a b i t n o s e y , b u t . . . - 4 . M i n d v ( ) r r r o w n b u s i n e s s !
I-r 5. wliv do you ask?
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6 . C a n I a s k y o u a p e r s o n a l q u e s t i o n ? 7. That's rrrther il personal question.
8 . I k n o w t h i s i s a b i t p e r s o n a l , b u t . . .
9 . I ' m a f r a i d t h e r t ' s r e a l l y n o n e o f y o u r b u s i n e s s .
D i s c u s s i o n
L o o k a t t h e q u e s t i o n s b e l o w . D e c i d e w h o h a s t h e r i g h t t o a s k y o u t h e s e q u e s t i o n s . l t m a y b e a p a r t i c u l a r person, for example, a doctor, a priest, a police officer, a partner/lover. lt might be anybody or it might be nobody. Write anyone. a particular person or no one next to each question.
H o w o l d a r e y o u ? H a v e y o u e v e r ta k e n d r u g s ?
H o w m u c h d o y o u w e i g h ? A r e y o u p l a n n i n g to s t a r t a f a m i l y ?
How tall are you? Who did you vote for at the last election?
H o w m u c h d o y o u e a r n ? H a v e y o u g o t a c r i m i n a l r e c o r d ? H a v e y o u g o t a b o y / g i r l f r i e n d ? A r e y o u g a y ?
A r e y o u a v i r g i n ? H o w m u c h w a s y o u r C D - p l a y e r ? A r e y o u m a r r i e d ? \ f h a t r e l i g i o n a r e y o u ?
\ r V e r e y o u r p a r e n t s m a r r i e d ? H o w d o y o u f e e l a b o u t a b o r t i o n ?
W o r k i n p a i r s . A s k y o u r p a r t n e r th e q u e s t i o n s . U s e t h e e x p r e s s i o n s in t h e L a n g u a g e w o r k t o h e l p y o u a s k a n d a n s w e r th e q u e s t i o n s .
Your best friend
G o u l d y o u s a y t h e s e t h i n g s t o y o u r b e s t f r i e n d ?
Y o u r b r e i r t h is t e r r i b l e . I t h i n k y o u ' v e h a d e n o u g h to d r i n k .
You smell nice. What is it? You look silly in that shirt.
Y o u n e e d a h a i r c u t . I t h i n k y o u s h o u l d r i n g a n d a p o l o g i s e .
Your boy/girlfriend's got nice legs. If you want to smoke, do it outside.
I wish you'd learn how to make coffee. Your fly is undone. (fly = 11611.er zrp) C o u l d y o u s a y t h e s a m e t h i n g s t o y o u r t e a c h e r o r y o u r b o s s ?
Do you have a friend you can say anything to?
Are you a tactful person or are you more blunt and direct?
D o y o u t h i n k b e i n g d i r e c t is a g o o d o r a b a d t h i n g ?
Taboos and /ssues Taboo conversation topics 4
It should be banned!
D i s c u s s i o n
H e r e is a l i s t o f s o m e t h i n g s w h i c h a r e b a n n e d in s o m e c o u n t r i e s , b u t a r e a l l o w e d in o t h e r s . In p a i r s o r s m a l l g r o u p s , d i s c u s s w h e t h e r th e y a r e b a n n e d in y o u r c o u n t r y a n d t h e n c o m p a r e w i t h o t h e r s i n y o u r c l a s s :
. smoking inside public buildings o s m o k i n g m a r i j u a n a
o parentS smacking children l f s o m e o r a l l o f t h e t h i n g s a b o v e a r e Why / why not?
Reading
Read these articles and answer the questions
WOMAN ARRESTED ON RIO BEACH
A young woman was amested yesterday tbr using only one part of her two-part bikini. Brazilians are famous fbr their love of the beach, and wear very s m a l l b i k i n i s b u t t o p l e s s s u n b a t h i n g i s s t i l l n o t allowed. Police used to have a 'look the other way' policy but local authorities have begun to enforce the controversial law which forbids nudity. The woman was unrepentant after her arrest: "This is Brazil - not England. not the US. We believe in fieedom and we bclieve in the right to show our bodies. This is absolutely ricliculous."
1 . l s t h i s l a w s e n s i b l e , i n y o u r o p i n i o n ?
2. What is meant by a 'look the other way' policy?
3 . " W e believe in the right to show our bodies."
Do you agree with her?
BAR FINED FOR ALLOWING SMOKING Popular bar O'Malley's was fined $1.000 on Friday night fbr disobeying the new San Francisct'r city order which prohibits smoking in any public building. The owner plans to appeal against the fine before a hearing this afiernoon. "l tell you. even if the fine stays. there's no way I'm going to make my loyal customers go outside in the cold to smoke." he said yesterday. His customers have of'fbred a lot of support.
"Has
the world gone mad'? This is a barl It's a place fbr vices." said one regular. "l
can't drink without s m o k i n g l "
1 . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k a b o u t t h i s l a w ?
2 . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k t h e b a r o w n e r s h o u l d d o ? 3. What was one customer's justification for
s m o k i n g in t h e b a r ? D o y o u a g r e e ?
. t o p l e s s s u n b a t h i n g . a b o r t i o n p i l l s
. s e l l i n g a l c o h o l o n e l e c t i o n d a y
n o t b a n n e d i n y o u r c o u n t r y , d o y o u t h i n k t h e y s h o u l d b e ?
below each one with a partner:
I'OX HUNT SABOTEURS ARRESTED
Two men and a woman were anested by police after pulling a man off his hclrse, causing him to break his arm. The incident happened as the three tried to stop a fox-hunt going ahead in the Sussex countryside in t h c s o u t h o f E n g l a n d .
Several minutes of arguing had preceded the attack when the small group anived with bells and whistles to confuse the dogs and horses. "Hunting fbxes is murder." screamed one of the group before being led away by police.
1. Do you feel sympathetic towards the offenders in this article? Why? Why not?
2. Do you have any animal sports in your country w h i c h y o u t h i n k s h o u l d b e b a n n e d ?
KU KLUX KLAN RALLY VIOLENCE
Four members of the Ku Klux Klan brotherhood were beaten up at a public rally in which KKK members were calling for "a cry fbr white freedom."
Tempers began to flare when the Klan members, clressed in traditional white robes, began their march t h r o u g h a p r e d o m i n a n t l y b l a c k n e i g h b o u r h o o d shouting "White power!" Locals took to the streets and showed their opposition. some using violence.
Four men were anested by the police.
"We
are a peaceful organisation with the right to speak our minds," said one Klansman. "It's not our fault these people are animals."
1. Do you sympathise with the offenders?
2. The man from the KKK said they had 'the right t o s p e a k o u r m i n d s ' . D o y o u a g r e e ?
3 . S h o u l d g r o u p s l i k e t h e K K K b e b a n n e d ?
It should banned! Taboos and /ssues
L a n g u a g e
Use the correct form of these verbs to complete the texts below:
stgn go on protest dgatnst I b e l o n g to an organisation t h a t ( 4 )
against animals being used ro test cosmetics. We ( 5 ) . . . p o l i t i c i a n s a n d c o n s u m e r g r o u p s a n d ( 6 ) . . t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c to (7) . c o m p a n i e s t h a t ( 8 ) . . . . e x p e r i m e n t s o n animals. Our aim eventually is for the
government to (9) . . . all forms of animal exploitation in the cosmetics industry.
a. attempt b. fight c. interview d. supports e. demand f. stop g. obstruct h. look for urSe
ban
cdmpatgn lctbby
boycott carry out
D i s c u s s i o n
Have you ever been on a protest march? What for?
Have you ever signed a petition? What for?
Have you ever boycotted a company or its products? Which ones? Why?
Do you think any of these actions make a difference? Which one is the most effective?
Newspaper language
Certain words are found almost exclusively in newspapers, particularly in headlines. Match the m e a n i n g s on the right with the underlined w o r d s i n t h e h e a d l i n e s b e l o w :
I ( 1 ) . . . . . a p r o t e s t march tomorrow with Greenpeace to (2)
. . . . the Japanese Government's policy on whaling. \7e are trying ro ger 5,000 p e o p l e t o ( 3 ) . . . . a p e t i r i o n , w h i c h w e plan to hand in to the Japanese Embassy. This is something I feel very strongly about.
I. POLICE OIJIZ ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP 2. NUDISTS SEEK MORE SUPPORT 3. MINISTER BACKS CANNABIS PLANS 4. FASCIST PARTY IN POWER BID .5. NEW CALLS TO HALT FUR TRADE
6. POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASH IN CAPITAL 7. BOXING BAN PLEA
8. GREENPEACE FOIL WHALERS
D i s c u s s i o n
I n s m a l l g r o u p s , decide whether any of the things below should be banned. Try to persuade the others in your group. Then take a vote for each one.
b u l l f i g h t i n g f o x - h u n t i n g c o c k f i g h t i n g f is h i n g
w h a l e - h u n t i n g s h o o t i n g
g u n c l u b s m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e n u c l e a r t e s t i n g b a l l r o o m d a n c i n g
g e n e t i c a l l y m o d i f i e d h u m a n c l o n i n g a l c o h o l
cigarettes m a r i j u a n a prostitution p o r n o g r a p h y b o x i n g
s o a p o p e r a s passports
( G M ) fo o d
Iaboos and /ssues It should be banned!
Not my type
D i s c u s s i o n
L H o w i m p o r t a n t i s i t f o r y o u t o h a v e a p a r t n e r w h o i s p h y s i c a l l y a t t r a c t i v e ? 2 . C o u l d y o u f a l l i n l o v e w i t h s o m e o n e w h o w a s p h y s i c a l l y u n a t t r a c t i v e ?
3 . H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n o u t w i t h s o m e o n e w h o h a d a d i s g u s t i n g / e m b a r r a s s i n g h a b i t ?
Reading
Here are two letters to the 'problem page' of a magazine. As you read them, think about this question:
Hdt,e J,tttt euer nlet on),one with the same or similar'prrtblems'?
D i s c u s s i o n
D i s c u s s th e f o l l o w i n g w i t h a p a r t n e r :
1 . F i n d w o r d s a n d e x p r e s s i o n s t h a t t e l l y o u h o w b a d T h o m a s ' s g i r l f r i e n d ' s b r e a t h is . 2 . D i d a n y t h i n g in t h e t w o l e t t e r s m a k e y o u l a u g h ?
3 . W h i c h p r o b l e m a b o v e d i d y o u t h i n k w a s w o r s e ? 4 . W h a t w o u l d y o u d o i n T h o m a s ' s o r E m i l y ' s s i t u a t i o n ?
6 Not my type Dear Bettv.
l've met this wonderful woman. She's t a l l , b e a u t i f u l , i n t e l l i g e n t , c h a r m i n g - nearly everything a man could ever want. There's only one problem. Every time she tries to kiss me I feel like b e i n g s i c k !
At first I thought it was a passing thing - that maybe she just needed to brush her teeth more. Now I realise that this must be some kind of permanent c o n d i t i o n . W h a t d o I d o n o w ? | c a n ' t g o o n h o l d i n g m y b r e a t h ( a s l ' m d o i n g now) every time she leans over to kiss me. lt's getting to the point where I don't even look in her direction when she talks to me! This is not your average morning-breath kind of smell - t h i s is m o r e li k e s o m e t h i n s h a s d i e d
i n s i d e h e r !
W h a t s h o u l d I d o ? Thomas
Dear Betty,
I h a v e o n e o f t h e m o s t th o u g h t f u l , k i n d , c o n s i d e r a t e m e n o n t h e p l a n e t b u t h e h a s th i s r e a l l y d i s g u s t i n g h a b i t th a t I c a n ' t s t a n d a n d I c a n ' t d e c i d e h o w t o t e l l h i m .
B a s i c a l l y , t h e p r o b l e m is h e p i c k s h i s n o s e . I d o n ' t m i n d s o m u c h w h e n w e ' r e a t h o m e , a l o n e , b u t w h e n w e ' r e i n p u b l i c , i n a n i c e r e s t a u r a n t , o r w o r s e / a t m y p a r e n t s ' h o u s e w h e n w e / r e h a v i n g d i n n e r , I j u s t w a n t t o d i s a p p e a r . H e s t a r t s d i g g i n g in a n d p u l l i n g th i n g s o u t a n d t h r o w i n g t h e m o n t h e f l o o r , o r e v e n w o r s e , p u t t i n g th e m i n h i s p o c k e t ! A n d t h e n a f t e r w a r d s w h e n h e w a n t s t o h o l d m y h a n d o r t o u c h m y f a c e I a v o i d h i s a d v a n c e s - and of course he gets u p s e t .
I w a n t t o t e l l h i m a b o u t i t b e c a u s e I d o n ' t t h i n k h e r e a l i s e s t h a t h e d o e s it , b u t l ' m a f r a i d l' l l e m b a r r a s s h i m a n d I d o n ' t w a n t t o l o s e h i m . I m e a n , I d o n ' t w a n t t o s o u n d li k e l ' m h i s m o t h e r . P l e a s e h e l p .
E m i l y
Taboos and /ssues
Sex for sale
D i s c u s s i o n
1 . M a t c h the words l . a p r o s t i t u t e
on the left with the definitions on the right:
2 . a p i m p
3 . a r e d - l i g h r d i s r r i c r 4 . a brothel
-5. a kerb-crawler 6 . a n escort
a. someone paid ro go out socially with other people b. a house where men pay to have sex with prostitutes c. a person who agrees to have sex in return for money d. part of a town where there are many prostitures
e. a man who controls prostitutes and lives off their earnings
f. a man who drives slowly along a road looking for a se"ual liaison ls prostitution a problem where you live? ls there a red-light district in your town?
R e a d th e information in the box and discuss the questions in pairs or small groups:
Read the two articles to see if these statements are correct:
1 . T h e p o l i c e officer would like to have srricter laws on prostitution.
2 . T h e local councillor would like to relax the laws on prostitution.
Should we legalise brothels?
" l t ' s
r i d i c u l o u s t o t r y a n d eliminate a practice w h i c h h a s b e e n g o i n g o n s i n c e th e b e g i n n i n g o f c i v i l i s a t i o n . T h e r e a l w a y s h a s b e e n , and arways w i l l b e , a d e m a n d fo r p r o s t i t u t e s . y o u can,t stop rt b y m a k i n g i t i l l e g a l . T h e p r o b l e m s we have are b e c a u s e p r o s t i t u t i o n i s n o t r e g u l a t e d . T h e w o m e n i n v o l v e d a r e a t r i s k o f b o t h p h y s i c a l and emotional a b u s e fr o m t h e p i m p s w h o , e m p l o y , t h e m . T h e i r w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n s a r e often poor and there are c o n s i d e r a b l e h e a l t h r i s k s . L e g a l i s i n g i t w o u l d g i v e w o m e n m o r e c o n t r o l over their lives _ their h e a l t h , th e i r s a f e t y a n d their finances. From the p o l i c e p o i n t of view, it would also mean ress o b v i o u s p r o s t i t u t i o n o n t h e s t r e e t s a n d a r e d u c t i o n i n r e l a t e d c r i m e s u c h a s d r u g d e a l i n g . The current I a w s a r e c o n t p l e t e l y impractical. lt,s time thev w e r e c h a n g e d . "
Helen Maddocks, senior police officer At present, in Britain, a woman who sells sex on her own in a single property is not breaking the law.
However, it is illegal for a prostitute to work, or to ask for work. in a public place. If two or more women sell sex in a single property, it is technically a brothel, which is illegal.
o What is the law in your country?
. Do you think it is too strict, too lenient or about r:ight? \fhy?
o How would you feel if you found our rhar a close friend or a member of your family was working as a prostitute?
" T h i s
i s n o t a p r a c t i c a l is s u e a t a l l , i t ' s a m o r a t o n e a n d l ' m d e a d a g a i n s t a n y c h a n g e in t h e l a w . I n f a c t , I t h i n k t h e l a w s s h o u l d be tougher. I agree we s h o u l d b e c o n c e r n e d a b o u t th e h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y o f t h e w o m e n , b u t t h e p l a i n f a c t i s , sex for money is w r o n g . S e x s h o u l d n o t b e f o r sale. The laws we h a v e a r e n o t ju s t fo r s t a t i n g w h a t i s a l l o w e d a n d n o t a l l o w e d , b u t a l s o t o s h o w u s w h a t is good and w h a t i s b a d . L e g a l i s i n g p r o s t i t u t i o n creates the i m p r e s s i o n t h a t i t i s a g o o d t h i n g . lt ' s a s i g n of great m o r a l w e a k n e s s i n o u r s o c i e t y . P r o s t i t u t i o n m a y D e t h e ' o l d e s t p r o f e s s i o n ' , b u t t h a t d o e s n ' t m e a n t r s h o u l d b e e n c o u r a g e d t o c o n t i n u e . "
J a n e t B o y c e , l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t councillor
w i t h . S p e n d two minutes thinking about these questions, then discuss them with a partner:
l . W h i c h argument is closer to your own opinion? Underline the statements y o u agree 2. Are you surprised at the police officer's attitude? why? / \7hy not?
3 . D o y o u agree that prostitution is a 'sign of great moral weakness i n o u r society'?
7 Sex for sale Taboos and /ssues
Language 1
Look at this extract from the text:
This is not a practical issue at all, it's a tnoral one.
Discuss with a partner. ls prostitution:
a p r a c t i c a l is s u e o r a m o r a l i s s u e ?
a c o m p l i c a t e d i s s u e o r a s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d i s s u e ? l n i m o o r t i - r n t i s s u e o r r n o n - i s s u e ?
Which verb does not collocate with issue.'
avoid I
complicate I address I
discuss I the issue d o
tackle resolve
W h i c h i s s u e s i s y o u r g o v e r n m e n t a d d r e s s i n g a t t h e m o m e n t ? W h i c h i s s u e s i s i t a v o i d i n g ? W h i c h issues do you want your government to tackle?
D i s c u s s i o n
What would you say in reply to these people? Discuss with a partner.
"I believe that sex is one of the most beautiful, natural,
wholesome things that money can buy."
Steue Martin, actor
Language 2
D i v i d e t h e s e e x p r e s s i o n s w i t h / a w i n t o t h r e e g r o u p s :
1 . W h a t t h e g o v e r n m e n t o r t h e p o l i c e d o . 2. What offenders or criminals do.
3. What good citizens do.
a. tighten the law b. break the law c. defy the law d . o b e y t h e l a w e. observe the law f. relax the law
g. comply with the law h. enforce the law i. ignore the law j . abide by the law k. change the law l . d i s o b e y th e l a w
I can earn {,1000 a week as d prostitute. 'lbat's
about four times ds much as I would get doing a different iob. So why should I stop?
I don't belieue tbdt sleeping with a prostitute is being unfaithful to my uife. lt's only sex - nothing else.
Marriage is abont loue.
Lots of girls are fctrced into prostittttion. Often they are illegal imnrigrants. They can't go to the police because they dre not in the atuntry legally.
Prostitution is a problem caused by men. There aren't any prostitutes for women.
It's men who credte the problem dnd men wbo mdke tbe laws.
lf someone wants to accept my money to haue sex with me, what's thc prohlem?
It's their life and tbeir body. It's my money and
it's none of your business!
It's the only way dirty old m e n c d n g e t s c x , P r o s t i l u l i o t r is for sad, sad 1teo1tle. Tbe women are sdd and the men dre euen sadder. I'd ban it!
Taboos and /ssues Sex for sa/e
Swearing
"When angry, count to a hundred; when very angry, swear."
Mark Twctin
D i s c u s s i o n
Work in pairs and compare your answers to the f o l l o w i n g q u e s t i o n s :
1 . H o w o f t c n d o y o u s w e a r ?
2 . W h a t s w e a r w o r d s d o y o u u s e m o s t o f t e n ? 3 . A r e t h e r e ir n y s w e a r w o r d s y o u w o u l d n e v e r
u s e ? W h y ?
4 . I n w h a t s i t u a t i o n s w o u l d y o u t r y t o a v o i d s w e a r i n g ?
- 5 . A r e y o u e v e r o f f e n d e d , u p s e t o r a n n o y e d w h e n o t h e r p e o p l e s w e a r ?
Reading
Read the articles below. Tick (/) the true sentences.
l . M a r t h : r Johnson was sacked from her job.
2 . M r S l a t e r fe e l s t h a t h e h a s t o s w e a r a t w o r k . 3 . l o h n A s h f o r d w a s a r r e s t e d f o r s w e a r i n g . 4 . H e i s g o i n g t o j a i l f o r 9 0 d a y s .
What would you say?
W o u l d y o u s w e a r in t h e f o l l o w i n g s i t u a t i o n s ? W h a t would you say?
1. You take some milk out of the fridge, but drop it on the floor.
2. You are carrying two pints of beer in a bar.
Someone bumps into you and you spill the beer down your trousers.
3. You miss the bus to work by a few seconds.
4 . S o m e b o d y d r i v e s in t o t h e b a c k o f y o u r b r a n d new car.
5 . Y o u r o h o n e b i l l i s d o u b l e t h e n o r m a l a m o u n t .
A B I G S P L A S H
T h e b a d l a n g u a g e u s e d b y J o h n A s h f o r d a s h e f e l l o u t o f h i s s a i l i n g b o a t i n t o a r i v e r i n M i c h i g a n h a s la n d e d h i m i n b i g t r o u b l e . H e a p p e a r e d i n c o u r t for breaking a '1OO-year-old
state l a w w h i c h f o r b i d s s w e a r i n g i n f r o n t o f w o m e n a n d c h i l d r e n . F a m i l i e s w e r e p i c n i c k i n g n e a r b y w h e n t h e a c c i d e n t h a p p e n e d . His defence team argued that standards over the years have c h a n g e d a n d t h a t i t i s n o w p e r f e c t l y a c c e p t a b l e t o s w e a r i n e x t r e m e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , s u c h a s f a l l i n g i n t o a r i v e r .
Mr Ashford, who faces up to 90 d a y s in j a i l a n d a $ 1 0 0 f i n e , w a s caught by two sheriff's deputies.
T h e y w e r e f i s h i n g fr o m t h e s i d e o f t h e r i v e r w h e n h e f e l l i n . PART OF HIS PERSONATITY
A sales executive has taken her e x - b o s s t o a n i n d u s t r i a l c o u r t c l a i m i n g t h a t h i s s w e a r i n g f o r c e d h e r t o q u i t h e r j o b . F o r o v e r s i x m o n t h s M a r t h a J o h n s o n , 4 3 , p u t u p w i t h t h e f o u l l a n g u a g e o f J a c k S l a t e r , m a n a g i n g d i r e c t o r o f a t r a n s p o r t c o m p a n y , a n d h is d e p u t y , D a r r e n W i g g i n s . B o t h m e n s w e a r c o n t i n u a l l y , t h e c o u r t w a s to l d .
Y e s t e r d a y M s J o h n s o n o f W o r t h i n g , S u s s e x , w h o h a s r e c e n t l y t a k e n u p a n e w jo b , s a i d :
" l had a really wonderful job with t h e c o m p a n y b u t I j u s t h a d t o d o
s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e a w f u l language. At least now I am in a place where people show respect for each other."
Mr Slater told the court that bad l a n g u a g e w a s p a r t o f h i s p e r s o n a l i t y a n d a l s o c o m m o n i n t h e t r a n s p o r t b u s i n e s s . " l can't s t o p s w e a r i n g , " h e s a i d . " l ' m t h e fucking boss. My workers would a l l t h i n k I w a s f u c k i n g s o f t i f I stopped swearing."
D u r i n g th e h e a r i n g t h e ju d g e h a d to warn Mr Slater several times a b o u t h i s l a n g u a g e . T h e c a s e continues tomorrow.
D i s c u s s i o n
Work in pairs or small groups. Discuss these questions about the texts above.
Do yolr think Martha Johnson was over-reacting? If so, what do you think she should have done?
D o y o u t h i n k M r A s h f o r d s h o u l d b e i n c o u r t ? I f n o t , w h a t d o y o u t h i n k s h o u l d h a v e h a p p e n e d ?
8 Swearing Taboos and /ssues
Language
Look at the sentence below from the second text:
It is now perfectly dcceptdble to swear in extreme ctr cumstances.
fn these sentences one of the words in italics is w r o n g . C r o s s i t o u t .
1 . S w e a r i n g i n c e r t a i n s i t u a t i o n s i s c o m p l e t e l y un a c c e p ta b I e / r u de / inap p r op r i at e.
2.1 foLrnd his language deeply upsetting/
off e n s iu e / o b s cene / s h o c kin g.
3 . U s i n g th a t k i n d o f l a n g u a g e i s p e r f e c t l y acceptable/OK/good in some situations.
4. Some words that people use are actually uery funny/rude/terrible.
D i s c u s s i o n
Discuss the statements below. Do you agree or not? Why?
l . S w e a r i n g c a n l r e c r e a f i v e a n d e x p r e s s i v e . 2 . l t ' s r - r s e f u l t o b e a b l e t o s w e a r in E n g l i s h .
3 . l t ' s d i f f i c u l t t o k n o w h o w t o u s e E n g l i s h s w e a r w o r d s . 4 . Y o u c a n s o u n d s i l l y i f y o u s w e a r in E n g l i s h .
5 . P e o p l e w h o s w e a r a l o t a r e ju s t u n e d u c a t e d . 6 . C h i l d r e n s h o u l d b e t a u g h t t h a t s w e a r i n g i s w r o n g . 7. You can upset people by saying 'Jesus
Christ'.
8 . P e o p l e s h o u l d n ' t u s e s w e a r w o r d s i n t h e s t r e e t .
Language
The list below shows that swear words vary in strength. Different people of different ages find some words more offensive than others. Here is a r o u g h g u i d e t o s o m e o f t h e m o s t c o m m o n E n g l i s h swear words and expressions:
Weaker Stronger
D a m n ! H e ' s a r e a l s h i t .
B l a s t ! S h i t !
H e l l ! P i s s o f f !
B l o o d y h e l l ! B a s t a r d ! I t w a s b l o o d y a w f u l ! B i t c h !
C r a p ! B o l l o c k s !
I t w a s r e a l l y c r a p ! H e ' s a t o t a l w a n k e r ! B u l l s h i t ! H e ' s a s t u p i d p r i c k . H e ' s a r e a l d i c k h e a d . H e ' s a n a r s e h o l e ! Taboo-strength: Fuck off!
Religious swear words can offend much more than words connected with sex, body parts or bodily functions. Using God, Jesus Christ or Christ Almighty will greatly offend some people.
Taboos and /ssues
Now make true sentences using some of the expressions from examples 1 - 4.
1 . M o s t p e o p l e I k n o w f i n d s w e a r i n g . . . . 2.My mother I father thinks swearing is . . . . 3. There are one or two words which I find . . . . 4 . S w e a r i n g a t s o m e o n e i n a p u b l i c p l a c e is . . . . 5 . I t h i n k i t i s . . . . t o s w e a r w h e n y o u a r e r e a l l y
a n n o y e d a b o u t s o m e t h i n g .
6 . I f t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r s w o r e o n T V , I w o u l d f i n d i t . . . .
Work in pairs and compare your answers.
"Er . . . mind if we swear?"
D i s c u s s i o n
Which of the words and expressions opposite have you used or would you use?
Are you offended when people use religious words as swear words?
Do you know of anybody who has got into trouble by swearing?
Most English swear words are connected with sex o r t h e b o d y . ls t h i s t h e s a m e i n y o u r l a n g u a g e ?
Avoiding swear words
Native speakers often avoid swearing by using o t h e r s i m i l a r - s o u n d i n g w o r d s . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k t h e f o l l o w i n g e x a m p l e s a v o i d ?
1 . H e t o l d m e t o F o f f ! 2 . I t ' s f l i p p i n g c o l d , i s n ' t i t ? 3 . N o t b l e e d i n g l i k e l y ! 4 . O h , s u g a r !
5 . P o f f !
6 . H e ' s a r e a l B !
Swearing
