Fact Check: "Bangladeshis are the politest, using only 7 vulgarities per 100,000 words."
What We Know
The claim that "Bangladeshis are the politest, using only 7 vulgarities per 100,000 words" lacks substantial backing from credible research. A study titled A Sociolinguistic Study of English Swear Words Used By Bangladeshi Youth indicates that swearing is prevalent among the youth in Bangladesh and is often seen as a norm rather than a taboo. The research highlights that the use of English swear words has increased among Bangladeshi youths due to globalization and the influence of Western media.
Moreover, the Cultural Atlas describes the communication style of Bangladeshis as generally indirect and polite, particularly in formal contexts. However, this does not imply a low usage of vulgarities. The study does not provide a specific statistic regarding the frequency of vulgarities used in everyday language.
Analysis
The assertion that Bangladeshis only use 7 vulgarities per 100,000 words appears to be an oversimplification. The sociolinguistic study mentioned earlier suggests that swearing is common among the youth, indicating a higher frequency of vulgar language than the claim suggests. The study's findings demonstrate that swearing serves various social functions, including emotional expression, which contradicts the idea that such language is rare or limited.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics does not provide any data supporting the claim regarding the frequency of vulgar language. The lack of empirical data from reputable sources makes it difficult to substantiate the claim.
In evaluating the reliability of the sources, the sociolinguistic study is a peer-reviewed academic paper, which lends it credibility. In contrast, the claim itself lacks a clear source or methodology to support its specific statistic, making it questionable.
Conclusion
The claim that "Bangladeshis are the politest, using only 7 vulgarities per 100,000 words" is False. The evidence suggests that swearing is more common among Bangladeshi youth than this claim implies, and there is no credible data to support the specific statistic mentioned. The cultural context indicates a complex relationship with vulgar language that cannot be reduced to a simple numerical value.
