To swear or not to swear, that is the question
A language expert explains why students of French should avoid swearing, even though politicians sometimes let the occasional obscenity slip out
Politicians are not - normally - expected to resort to swearing, but, if presidential hopeful Alain Juppé's comments on TV earlier this month are anything to go by, it would appear that the odd expletive is making its way into public life.
Mr Juppé invited people who found Les Republicain's primaries for next year's elections less than interesting to 'emmerder', or 'p**s off', during a programme on France 3.
He is not the first politician to use the relatively mild swear word. Former Prime Minister François Fillon said he wanted to "moins emmerder" rural French people during a visit to the Salon de l'agriculture in 2015.
Others, including Nicolas Sarkozy and Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, have both used the phrase in public - so, if prominent politicians such as these can swear like a fishwife, should you?
Language expert Camille Chevalier-Karfis, of French Today, advises anyone still getting to grips with French to avoid swearing - because it will not sound right.
She said: "'Emmerder' is a common swear word. Politicians usually avoid swearing - they are supposed to have mastered French well enough so that they can choose other words to translate their emotions. But they are human, too, and can let their guard down.
"Slang is appealing for students who think they'll fit-in and sound 'French' or 'hip' ... Unfortunately, it's often the contrary.
"'Merde' or 'emmerder' are common swear words. They are not very nasty, and French people use them all the time. It sounds quite natural in the mouth of a French speaker, and would only be inappropriate in a formal or business context - or if a child said it.
"However, it will stand out in the mouth of a student of French. Swearing is supposed to be natural, and is often strongly connected to an emotion. I have to admit that I have sworn in front of my daughter sometimes, and I have had to apologise. I didn't choose to swear: it just happened!
"If you are an advanced French speaker, you may be able to swear in daily conversation, and it will work. But if you are still learning and struggle a bit to find your words, speak slowly and avoid using 'ça m'emmerde'.
"It will sound contrived, and just plain vulgar."
