We met last week to discuss feedback and have made the following amendments to our questionnaire:

*The opening paragraph has been edited so that it isn’t too time consuming/off putting but still contains key information about content, purpose, anonymity and consent.
*Added an option for people who have not gone to University.
*Taken out the options regarding religious faith so that it is a simple yes/no/decline to answer format.
*We have made provisions for the possibility that the participant may not use taboo language at all – the participant is firstly directed to an open question that enquires as to why they choose not to use it before they are informed that they have completed the questionnaire.
*Changed the wording of question 9 from ‘moments’ to ‘circumstances’ as it is less ambiguous and also more directly related to context.
*Changed the wording of the final question to ‘would you ever...’ as opposed to ‘how often do you...’ This doesn’t assume that they actually use this word and also gives further insight into the strength of their attitude towards it.
*Changed the wording of question 7 from ‘dictated’ to ‘influences’.
*Question 7b is now open to all participants and is less ambiguous as we have provided options. This will also hopefully show whether the age of other people affects the participant’s use of/attitude towards taboo language.
*we have incorporated more ‘decline to answer’ options.


We piloted a draft and made minor amendments. The final draft below is currently being used to collect more data. We are aiming to collect from a total of 50 people, focusing on those in the 18-25 and 40-65 categories. If anybody ticks the 26-39 or 65+ boxes then their data will be discounted. We are also focusing on those who have been to University as this will provide some element of shared/similar background. If anybody indicates that they have not gone to University then their data will be discounted.We have decided against using an online questionnaire as the return rate is so low and we would have an unpredictable number of responses. By handing out in person we will have more control and a constant awareness of how much data we have and can keep collecting until we reach our target number. We are meeting later this week to discuss.

Dear Participant,This questionnaire has been created by English Language students at the University of Birmingham, with the purpose of researching how taboo language is regarded by people in different age groups.The questions will be about your attitudes towards it and your own use of taboo language.

Given the topic, the questions deal with language which may be deemed offensive, but this is what we're investigating, and your identity will not be revealed as you do not need to give your name. By completing and returning the questionnaire, 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.

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□ Neither

4. Do you have a religious faith?□ Yes □ No □ Declined to answer

5. Do you use taboo language?□ Yes □ No If not, are there any particular reasons as to why you choose not to swear? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________If you have answered no, you have completed the questionnaire. Thank you for your time

.6. 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+

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

8. On a scale of 1 to 5, how often do you swear in the following contexts? (Please circle) 1 being never, 5 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 particular circumstances that will cause you to swear?_____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

10. Do you feel that the amount you swear is influenced by the people around you? (Please circle)□ Yes □ No

11. In general, do you feel comfortable swearing in the presence of the following:□ People of an older generation □ People of a younger generation □ People of the same generation □ No difference

12. In your opinion, which swear word is the most offensive?____________________________________________________________________________□ Decline to answer

13. Would you ever use this word? If so, in what context?□ Yes □ No______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________