Questionnaire

Here's the brand new questionnaire. Obviously, the formatting is a lot better on a word document.

We are using two age ranges, but are asking the for the age ranges in between due to the risk of offending people by assuming their age.

Dear Participant,

This questionnaire has been created by English Language students at the University of Birmingham, with the purpose of researching how the use of taboo language differs with age. We want to investigate how the use differs between a younger generation with a university education, and an older generation with a university education. The questions will ask about your the frequency with which you swear, the contexts in which you swear, your opinion on the most offensive word and the attitudes you have towards swearing.

Due to the nature of this questionnaire, it will be dealing with language which may be deemed offensive, but it is purely for research purposes and all participants will be kept anonymous. By completing and returning it, you are giving your consent for the information you provide to be used in our investigation. If you have any queries about this questionnaire, please do not hesitate to contact either; Samantha Guess at SXG006@bham.ac.uk, or Louis Atkinson at louis.atkinson@yahoo.co.uk.

Thank you for your time and co-operation,

Charlie Allen

Charlotte Ashley

Louis Atkinson

Samantha Guess

Rebecca Marshall

1. Please tick the relevant box:

□ Male

□ Female

2. Please tick the relevant age range:

□ 18-25

□ 26-39

□ 40-65

□ 65 +

3. Please tick the relevant box:

□ University undergraduate

□ University graduate

4. Which of the following do you regard yourself as? (Please tick)

□ Christian (Including all Christian denominations)

□ Hindu

□ Jewish

□ Buddhist

□ Sikh

□ Muslim

□ Atheist

□ Other (please specify):________________________________________

5. By estimation, how often do you swear on an average day? (Please circle)

0 times 1-5 times 6-10 times 11-15 times 16+

6. If you answered 16+, please estimate the number of times you would swear on an average day:

____________________________________________________________________________

7. Do you feel that the amount you swear is dictated by the people around you? (Please circle)

Yes No

If so, who do you feel more comfortable around when swearing?

____________________________________________________________________________

8. On a scale of 1 to 5, how often do you swear in the following contexts? (Please circle)

Never Very often

Casual conversation 1 2 3 4 5

Strengthen an argument 1 2 3 4 5

As an insult 1 2 3 4 5

Express positive emotion 1 2 3 4 5

Express negative emotion 1 2 3 4 5

9. Are there any other moments in which you would swear?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

10. If so, using the scale above, how often? (Please circle)

Never Very often

1 2 3 4 5

11. In your opinion, which swear word is the most offensive?

____________________________________________________________________________

12. How often do you use this swear word?

____________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your time.

1.