I recently had the opportunity to hear an international speaker address a large group of women. The ages of the women ranged from 20 to 60 years. While the speaker did use the F word once, the silence in the grand ballroom was much more apparent when he used a 4 letter word beginning with ‘d’. And he didn’t mean a duck!
The use of questionable language when addressing an audience is not in good taste and is offensive. In case you were unaware of this little fact, the 4-letter word that begins with a ‘d’ may be considered slang, but according to the dictionary, it’s a vulgar term. Vulgar language “is devoid of cultivation, perception, or taste.” He is also crude and morally crude.
I can appreciate that there is a generation of young people who cannot be offended by ‘colorful’ language; however, if you are targeting a mixed-age audience, you may want to avoid certain words that most people still consider indecent. That’s why knowing your audience beforehand is critical to your success.
In April 2009, a 5-4 Supreme Court decision “upheld the government’s crackdown on ‘flying words’ and said broadcasters could face heavy fines for airing the F-word or S-word even once during prime time.” They considered that this ruling “offers families a ‘safe haven’ against obscene language.”
How do you know which words are acceptable and which are not? If you are addressing a mixed or female-only audience, or if you have been invited to speak before a business, corporation, non-profit organization, or place of worship, the following rule should apply.
- If it cannot be printed in a national newspaper; that is to say The New York Timesso don’t use it for public speaking.
Another way of looking at this situation is to consider the following:
- If it’s a word you wouldn’t use in front of your mother, then it’s unacceptable.
[If your parents are ‘baby-boomers,’ then it is possible that you do speak in vulgar terms in front of them. If such is the case, stick to the above rule dealing with a national newspaper.]
Remember, no one will be offended if you don’t wear; however, some will take offense if you do so. Public speaking is a tough business and being successful at it is hard. Don’t jeopardize your success because of vulgar or indecent language.
