What is the connection between aphasia, swearing and the right hemisphere of the brain?
It’s long been noticed that people with aphasia, who lose the power of articulate speech, can often retain the ability to swear. This suggests swearing involves the right hemisphere more than the left. So if you have an injury to the brain from a stroke that impairs your ability to speak, it’s probably in your left hemisphere. But your right hemisphere is probably going strong and it will therefore retain the ability to swear. Q: You write that swearing is the language of choice in many male-dominated and working-class circles. Why do some people not like swearing? A: Well, it is aggressive. It is a way of forcing a listener to think about disagreeable things. And many people consider it misogynistic, particularly sexual swearing. Before the 1960s, it was completely uncouth to swear in front of a woman. That’s why we have the expression, “Language meant for mixed company” – mixed meaning men and women. We have expressions like, “To swear like a sailor,” “Cuss like a trooper,” and “Lock
