When leaving a message, Brits leave out the swearing

Some strange research has been passed under my nose. Far from being a nation of uncouth potty-mouths, it seems that Brits are quite restrained when it comes to swearing.

VoxSciences, a company that converts voicemail into texts, has analysed tens of thousands of spoken words than it has then converted into SMS messages. It found that last month, only 1 in 10,000 words left in voicemail messages were swear words.

The company said:

Although VoxSciences has programmed a vast array of swear words in to its system they are hardly ever required for transcription.

Clearly the research didn't include voicemails left my Messrs Brand and Ross though.

Maybe its that we're more restrained with leaving voicemail messages. It always like feels like talking into a machine, which for some reason feels more formal, so you're unlikely to launch into a volley of four letter words. Still, maybe it proves we're a polite bunch afterall.

Comments

[eric]

The stronger the language the weaker the argument.
Foul mouth trash like brant whould do well to watch their backs.

[Ol' Eagle Eye]

Or maybe it's because we realise it's a permanent record and don't want to leave a voice trail of our lesser selves for all to hear endlessly? See, you can change your errors in your text:

"words than it has then converted"
"words that it has then converted"

"voicemails left my Messrs"
"voicemails left by Messrs"

"It always like feels like talking into a machine"
"It always feels like talking into a machine"

"afterall"
"after all"

And, such a short post, too! Gidday!

[Rob Bain]

Brits quite restrained when it comes to swearing?
That's a load of F***()g S~**,what about the Jerry F***()g Springer F***~@: opera on the BRITISH Broadcasting Coporations' airwaves you F***wit?
People complained but it still got F***inwell shown, you c****

[Ben]

A few points.
First of all, your supposed survey is completely scewed. It could not be more flawed if you tried and it seems like it was nothing more than an thinly-veiled attempt to plug this 'VoxSciences' company.

Is it really any surprise that when speaking there are very few swear words used compared to regular words? It's pretty hard to keep a conversation going using nothing but swear words.

If you analyze every phone call made every day (not messages) very few of them will be the 'barrage of insults' type. So why would voicemails?

As for randomly used swear-words, the people using this service are not the everyday population. It is business people. They are required to be professional. Lawyers and other professionals will not be firing off or recieving voicemails which contain swear words.
90% of messages left on voicemails ANYWHERE probably go along the lines of:

"Hi it's _____ can you call me back on this number ________. "
or " I can't make the ____o'clock appointment on Tuesday"

The sheer number of calls sure

[Karl Irani]

We tend to be stricter when we express ourselves in a tangible fixed medium of expression that adds permanence to our expression. We do this because we feel that maybe in the future we may not swear as much...or were afraid of leaving a filthy trace, maybe well be in a position where well have to set an example... and perverse voice messages from the past echoing in everyones head may not allow that...