Press Release
Bad language and good literature at the Library
An unusual event coming up at Shetland Library next Wednesday is not for the faint-hearted – Bad Language Night. It will feature readings from literature notable for its swear word content.
Swearing can be very necessary for effect and for realistic dialogue, especially in modern Scottish literature - Booker prize-winning James Kelman for example, and other very popular writers such as Irvine Welsh and Christopher Brookmyre. Coarse language goes back a lot further than that of course, and Robert Burns and Shakespeare shocked society in their day.
The idea emerged when the Library hosted an alternative Valentine event in February. Much of the best material – poems from Alison Flett and Janet Paisley for example – were liberally scattered with ‘bad’ words, but were also immensely funny and best appreciated when read aloud. Therefore it was decided to dedicate a night to ‘bad language’ so that the public could be duly warned in advance.
The readers on the night will be Gordon Dargie, Donnie MacDonald, Jim Taylor, Kat Brack and Mary Blance. Gordon, Donnie and Jim will all read some of their own work.
Karen Fraser, Customer Service Librarian with Shetland Library said ‘I should stress that it’s not just a night of gratuitous swearing for the sake of it! Anyone can swear, but only a few folk can do it really well, so the readings have been carefully chosen from some of the best of published literature. The performers are all excellent readers and I think this will be an interesting and entertaining event.’
Councillor Gussie Angus, Chair of Services Committee added “profanity is part of our culture and if it can find its proper place in the arts and literature then I’m all for it!”
Bad Language Night is at Shetland Library on Wednesday 28th April at 7.30pm. Entry is free and everyone over 14 is welcome. Anyone likely to be offended by swearing is advised to give it a miss though.