About obscenities in Russian.

[kutsuwamushi.livejournal.com]

I bought recently Using Russian: A Guide to Contemporary Usage by Derek Offord. So far, it seems like a very useful book; its focus is on topics that might not necessarily be covered thoroughly in classes, such as idioms, derivational suffixes, letter writing ... I would definitely recommend it to anyone who's trying to improve their conversational skills.

That said, it has a section on vulgar language, as well. Here's what is has to say about actually using it:

Firstly, the foreign student should be aware that no matter how good one's command of another people's language one may strike a discordant note or even give offence to a native speaker if one falls into very familiar registers in general and the vulgar register in particular. Secondly, it cannot be overemphasised that a vulgar word may have a greater impact in the Russian context than does its English lexical equivalent (even though the same anatomical features and sentiments are involved), since the English word occurs in a society that uses such a vocabulary, for better or worse, with relative freedom. Thirdly, it should be understand that whereas in Britain vulgar language may nowadays be used as freely by woman as by men, in Russia the use of such language by a woman is likely to shock both men and women more than the use of that language by a man. The foreign student of Russian should therefore avoid using vulgar language if he, or especially she, wishes to win acceptance in any sort of 'polite' Russian society.

So if you come across a vulgar word and think you know how to use it, think twice. Think three times. Consider what sort of image you will be projecting and how dreadfully likely it is that you'll alienate and offend those that you're conversing with.

This isn't an attack on any of you (I haven't noticed anyone using swear words), just something I felt should be pointed out just in case.

Thank you. :)

Comments

[sekhet.livejournal.com]

Also bear in mind, if the thought of being dreadfully rude isn't deterrent enough, how absurd you will sound saying any slang phrase in a foreign accent. No one minds hearing a foreigner speak their language despite the thickest of accents, and will usually be helpful and serious -- but slang or profanity in any kind of accent is ALWAYS funny, and usually not in a good way. Do you really want to be the object of fairly pointed ridicule,to say nothing of fairly pointed condemnation for what is, in Russian culture, majorly gauche?

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

There is a good quotation (can't remember who exactly said this): "When speaking to Russians, try to sound as if you are speaking to your grandmother who tries to decide are you going to inherit her money or not."
However, if you are speaking to your old buddy, and you share the same gender and, probably, age, and there is no other people's ears around - then some obscebities are quite acceptable; have in mind that obscenities in Russian culture are some kind of "secret code," or "between-the-boys-talk," widely accepted only within certain social groups (both low-life and high-life) or closed communities (military men, prison inmates, etc.) - but not between them.

[kutsuwamushi.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. The Russian professor I had last year shared a story about a Russian colleague who loved to curse in English, and always sounded incredibly silly doing it because of his accent and incorrect grammar --
saying "that is such a bull****!", and the like.

Every joke is partly a joke but...

[kolik.livejournal.com]

Did I understand you correctly that you wanted to know more bad words in order to not to misuse them?

8-)

Re: Every joke is partly a joke but...

[kutsuwamushi.livejournal.com]

No, I don't intend to use them at all. But they're fun to know, anyway.

[calmingwhisper.livejournal.com]

I find that adorable hehe