Fact Check: Australians only rank third in online swearing, at 22 per 100,000 words.

Fact Check: "Australians only rank third in online swearing, at 22 per 100,000 words."

What We Know

Recent research led by the University of Queensland analyzed over 1.7 billion words of online content from 20 English-speaking countries to assess the frequency of vulgar language. The findings indicate that Australians rank third in terms of online swearing, with an average of 22 swear words per 100,000 words. The United States topped the list with 36 swear words per 100,000 words, followed by the United Kingdom with 25 per 100,000 words (Global study finds Australians are third most prolific swearers, Americans more vulgar online than Brits, Aussies — study). This study included a diverse range of online sources, excluding social media, to focus on more formal written content (How Swearing Varies Across Cultures).

Analysis

The study's methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of various online texts, including news articles and blogs, which provided a robust dataset for comparison across different cultures. The researchers identified 597 vulgar words and their variants, ensuring a thorough examination of how swearing manifests in written English (Global study finds Australians are third most prolific swearers, Who swears the most online).

Dr. Martin Schweinberger, one of the researchers, noted that the cultural context plays a significant role in swearing habits. While Australians may be perceived as more relaxed and open with vulgar language, the data suggests they are more conservative in written forms compared to their American and British counterparts (Americans more vulgar online than Brits, Aussies — study). This aligns with findings from other studies that indicate cultural norms significantly influence the use of swearing in different contexts (How Swearing Varies Across Cultures).

The credibility of the sources is strong, given that the research was conducted by reputable academic institutions and published in a peer-reviewed journal, Lingua. The study's findings were corroborated by multiple news outlets, which reported similar statistics and interpretations of the data (Global study finds Australians are third most prolific swearers, Americans more vulgar online than Brits, Aussies — study, How Swearing Varies Across Cultures).

Conclusion

The claim that "Australians only rank third in online swearing, at 22 per 100,000 words" is True. The research clearly supports this assertion, showing that Australians do indeed rank third behind Americans and Brits in terms of online vulgarity, with the specified frequency of swearing. The study's methodology and the credibility of its authors further reinforce the validity of these findings.

Fact Check: Australians only rank third in online swearing, at 22 per 100,000 words.