Profane language is used once every six minutes on network television shows, every two minutes on premium cable shows, and every three minutes in major motion pictures, according to a new study by the Centre for Media and Public Affairs. Upon learning this information, one would make the assumption that profanity is another common attribute to our daily lives, such as brushing our teeth. But what is profane language? Webster’s dictionary defines it as being “the condition or quality of being profane - abusive, vulgar, or irreverent - and the use of such language.” However, although society is being exposed to this “coarse” language repeatedly, many are still being penalized for using it in day-to-day situations. The fact is, no matter what we do, profanity will always be there, whether it be in the form of the “f” word, or the generation’s most recent slang. The basis of the problem is that the context of profane language has evolved to the point that its usage, to a certain degree, no longer invokes feelings of offence. Rather than being reserved for “moments of severe rage”, it is now being used in day-to-day situations without direct intention. Profane words have progressed from simple adjectives, to complex expressions, falling into nearly every grammatical category in the English language -verbs, transitive verbs, intransitive verbs, adverbs, pronouns, nouns, possessive, etc. Until profane language resumes invoking the same transgression it had previously inflicted, its restriction will not hold up. But the real question is, whether people in society should be penalized for using language, which has obviously been absorbed and accepted by the television and radio audience. For instance, in a school setting, a student who uses profane language can receive a suspension up to a 20-days in length. Why? Because of the Toronto District School Board’s “Zero Toler...
