| Should we learn four-letter words? | |
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| Feb 4, 2008 02:23 |   |
 | One of my friends told me that their English teacher (a native speaker) taught them dirty words, for example, f***, when he was in college. However, he couldn't accept this. In his opinion, those who speak four-letter words very often are un-educated or illiterates. Actually, all people speak dirty words. Is there person that don't speak any dirty words? I guess not. If you learn Chinese, you will find that many people speak dirty words too. What do you think? Should we learn those dirty words? |
| Feb 4, 2008 09:13 | #1 |
| Most sstudents of English need not learn these words, however if you plan to be a translator or interpretor it is 'an extra' that might be included. I would not teach it in class as there are many more worthwhile things to cover, but if students want to know I would do it outside class. I teach 19-22 year olds. |
| Feb 4, 2008 10:28 | #2 |
| I agree with Paul, there are many more worthwhile things to learn in a foreign language. My gal is working very hard to learn English. She is doing well, but the depth of our conversation is shallow because I do not speak enough Putonghua to help her convey really complex thoughts. There is another reason that I feel learning "4-letter words" is a bad idea: that is, those words are too easy to use. I do not want my gal thought of as "a vulgar foreigner" when she comes to the USA. It is just one more reason for an ignorant American to discriminate against her. |
| Feb 4, 2008 19:36 | #3 |
| I am reluctant to learn those words and my foreign teacher didn't teach us four letter words. Actually, you can learn them on your own by watching English movies. But my friend said that four-letter words are also parts of English. If you want to learn English well, you should know them. He gave me an example. What if some guys say four letter words to you and you don't understand what they say? You have been insulted but you don't know. |
| Feb 14, 2008 23:24 | #4 |
| I actually lived in China for a year or so before I Now I know them I hear them all the time, especially from students. I would never overtly "teach" them, I don't think, but I know most of my students (university age) already know bad words. I remember I did speak about f*** once in class but can't remember the context now. I don't think we should pretend these words don't exist, and if they arise in a class situation then it shouldn't be a problem for the teacher to deal with, but agree with the others that there are much more important things to learn in language. |
| Feb 15, 2008 01:00 | #5 |
| Agree with Lemoncactus. If they appear in a class situation, the teacher shouldn't avoid it. Anyway, those words are parts of English. If you want to master English, you should know them too. But I don't think you can say them to anyone randomly. |
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