ABSTRACT
This chapter is about what has been perceived as obscene language. As I indicate below, I prefer to use the term uncensored speech in order not to prejudge the actions of the users of such speech. My wish not to prejudge is not the result of unreflexive liberal humanism; rather, it reflects one of the major conclusions presented below, namely, in many cases, rigorous analysis of form, meaning, and communicative behavior is required before one can pass judgment on the speech of members of communities other than one's own, where the term community membership is determined by age, socioeconomic class, ethnicity, gender, and other variables.
