SWEARING AND POETIC LICENSE - Suzette Crous's Blog

Suzette Crous's Blog

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Nominated as one of the BEST POETS (current or in the past) on World Poetry Day, 21 March 2013 - in Dazed & Confused Magazine.

WEBSITES AND BLOGS:
1. http://suzette-poet-author.webs.com/

2. @ WATER DANCE (facebook page): Tips, poetry forms, self-publishing, websites, my books for sale, etc
www.facebook.com/angelwingsa

Included in: My poem, ON THE OCEAN WAVES
International Who's Who in Poetry 2012
Library of Congress ISBN- 978-1-61936-035-8

My poem, The African Man, featured twice during 2012 in the eMagazine, Afritorial

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Most Recent Blog Post

SWEARING AND POETIC LICENSE

Blog Posted:1/20/2013 10:24:00 AM

When is swearing considered swearing? Have we, by the overuse of expressions, diminished the impact of certain words and phrases? Certain words and expressions have been found to be so offensive by some cultures or groups, that it had been forbidden by law to utter these. What if the full history behind the expression uttered, is not understood? Are we less guilty of the offence of swearing; even if it was done unintentionally?

When studying one of the indigenous languages, Xhosa, of southern Africa, I was surprised (and pleased) to learn that this language does not contain one single swearword. If they wished to gravely insult you, they would call the honor of your ancestors into question.

Here are two examples of phrases which you might have used at some stage or other, but which are, after examination, blasphemous: *

Gor-blimey = God blind me!
gosh = By God

In my poem, Black Diamonds, I had to include a disclaimer to explain the different applications of the name of the poem, in order not to offend a certain group of people. How far do we need to mind our “P’s & Q’s” when we write poetry? Or, is it a matter of being selective i s f as our audience is concerned, i e where and with whom we share our thoughts and our scribbling?

BLACK DIAMONDS

black
night, sultry
partying, conniving, dealing
cities, nightclubs, mines, compounds
sparkling, dazzling, wooing
reflective, cold
diamonds

*compound: 1. enclosure where mine workers are
housed.
2. substance consisting of two or more
elements chemically united
in fixed proportions

Black Diamonds is a collective term that is used pejoratively in South Africa to refer to members of the new black middle class. It is, also, the name of a Soweto (South Africa) based biker club, BLAQUE DIAMONDS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, supported by professional people, eg bankers and business men. Black Diamond is, also, the name of a prestigious international credit card investment scheme.

*The New Oxford Illustrated Dictionary

HAPPY QUILLS!

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AndreaDietrich

Date: 1/20/2013 8:46:00 PM

I can't stand all the PC drama in the world today, suz. if I want to say merry Christmas or spell it Merry Xmas, that is what I will do. If I want to say black Diamonds, that is what I will say. if i want to say hmmm or Gosh, or crap, I see nothing wrong with that. I guess we will know our friends by whether or not they judge us for our manner of speech!!

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Suzette Crous Date: 1/21/2013 2:54:00 PM

Good point, Andrea. We are comfortable with our friends who accept us for who we are.

DebbieGuzzi

Date: 1/20/2013 3:13:00 PM

So interesting, I really don't know? What I do know is if someone wants to be mean and cruel to you it doesn't matter how you say what you say, they will find a way! I have been blasted bloody by saying hmmm. Just write and if some one doesn't like how you write what you say..let them read something else?

Becca Lucas Date: 1/20/2013 5:10:00 PM

hehe ~~ I love it when the "hmmm" can elicit such strong reactions! Such power the "hmmm" has! I think it's awesome! :) (well, until it's used on me.. lol.. then I have to ask for clarification...lol)

BeccaLucas

Date: 1/20/2013 1:30:00 PM

Interesting that you mention political correctness, Charlotte, I just now posted a poem/lyrics related to this, and the issues which people choose to stand for or against...or choose to remain silent on... Hallelujah...

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Becca Lucas Date: 1/20/2013 5:06:00 PM

ok and I might have used one teeny weeny swear word... :P
Suzette Crous Date: 1/20/2013 2:25:00 PM

:-)

CharlottePuddifoot

Date: 1/20/2013 11:06:00 AM

well, this problem of 'offending' people comes about because we as human beings have an unfortunate tendency to identify 'self' with our bodies, race or whatever; we have been programmed to believe that we are our bodies, colour, religion or race when what we really are is infinite consciousness having a physical experience...we now live in a climate of ridiculous political correctness, afraid to say this, that and the other in case someone takes offence at this, that or the other; the system has deliberately created a stifling, oppressive world where we are constantly censoring what we think, write and say...

Suzette Crous Date: 1/20/2013 1:27:00 PM

I think that you have summed it well with the observation that the system has deliberately created a stifling, oppressive world. I am not a fan of censorship, but I must admit that it serves a limited purpose to curtail some unacceptable behaviour. When we learn to think differently about ourselves, we would make huge strides towards changing to encouraging speech, i s o oppressive speech.

My Past Blog Posts


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Goodbye Date Posted: 4/3/2013 2:49:00 PM
INFLUENCES ON OUR POETRY Date Posted: 3/31/2013 11:44:00 PM
WHO IS THE POET? - No 4 - EASTER EGG HUNT - So far - - - Date Posted: 3/30/2013 12:49:00 AM
WHO IS THE POET? - No 4 - EASTER EGG HUNT Date Posted: 3/28/2013 12:26:00 AM