I have the same thoughts, Kameron. Two examples that jump into my head are Wen Spencer’s use of vulgarity (a few f*bombs and s**ts) in her “Pittsburgh in another realm” fantasy concept. Here, the “Pittsburghers” use profanity while the elves do not. The other is George R. R. Martin’s overuse of f*bombs between two of his characters in a fantasy world setting.

Martin’s use in the fourth book in his Game of Thrones series really bugged me (but not in a puritan sense), while Wen’s in her Tinker duology seemed to fit right into her world.

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One thing I tend to do is try to draw my curses from the culture around me–like your example of the blasphemies. I haven’t done much novel-strength worldbuilding recently, just gaming in someone else’s, but I have a tendency to slip things that seem to make sense into the idiom (describing someone flying into a temper using the adjectival form of a demon variety, for instance, or making references to a known family with a bit of a Reputation). It seems to get the world across pretty well.

(Speaking of common anachronisms, ok is more recent than most people think it is, and don’t get me started on celebrating birthdays The Way We’re Used To. The Hall family still owns the copyright on that song!)

….now I want to crack my mother’s old linguistics books and go at this properly. Thanks for the inspiration!

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Of course, the paradox between both positions is what made me laugh.

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Furthermore, it’s only been in the last 20 years that I’ve seen them creep into fantasy fiction. I’ll admit my reading of the genre isn’t exhaustive, but I get the feeling their use is more an influence of modern culture than an attempt to recreate that medieval atmosphere.

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But I think it should be used only sparingly, to give those words power.

Still, in fantasy, it’s best to create new swears, right? Problem is, they just won’t resonate with the reader the way real world curses do. We have a natural association with these words, and in writing they have power.

It’s an interesting discussion point, for sure. But as Mike says, it’s all about context. There should be no blanket “yes” or “no” when it comes to their use.

The infamous “F Word”, for example, has been around in print since the 15th century, and has probably been used for even longer. Most modern vulgarities really aren’t all, well, modern.

I’ve never seen using such language as a problem in fantasy works, particular if the fantasy is based on Dark Ages/Renaissance/Age of Enlightenment-styled European culture.

My issue with vulgar language in factasy fiction revolves more around whether or not it seems out of place. If the character seems like the sort to swear and to use coarse language, then I have no problem if that character drops the F-bomb. If the use is gratuitous – meaning if it’s used constantly, or by characters who seem unlikely to use coarse language – then it’s a problem. Context would be my main guideline for using such language.

The fantasy novel I’m currently developing will probably have its fair share of explicit sex, language, and gory violence, much like George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones”. I think, however, it’s all appropriate to the story. If it was merely gratuitous, I wouldn’t include it.