By Kim Tae-jong
Nineteen out of 20 teenagers here use swear words regularly, according to a recent survey. The Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) conducted a survey of 1,260 teenagers last October to analyze their use of language.
It said 73.4 percent or 925 respondents use a swear word at least once every day and 21.2 percent said they occasionally use inappropriate language. Only 68 respondents said they do not swear.
“Swear words have become part of the usual language and culture for teens,” said Yang Myung-hee, professor of the Korean literature department at Dongduk Women’s University, who led the survey. “These days those who don’t swear are treated as not cool by their peers.”
To help clean up the use of improper speech, parents and teachers should pay more attention to what they say, she said.
The survey showed that 70.3 percent said they swear while talking to their friends, while 5.2 percent said they swear regardless of who they are talking to.
Claimed as sources for the swearwords, 47.7 percent said “from friends,” 26.4 percent “through the Internet” and 10.2 percent “from movies.” About 40 percent said they have had teachers swear at them.
With regard to why they use swear words, 25.7 percent said they use swear words as it became a habit, while 18.2 percent said it’s because they hear other people do so. Some 17 percent cited “to ease stress” and 16.7 percent “to express intimacy between friends.”