Vasile Ernu engaged in a discussion with researcher Mircea Păduraru, author of the book "Fondul interzis. Incursiune în antropologia folclorului licențios" published by Alexandru Ioan Cuza University Press in Iași, about the significance and social role of obscenity, swearing, and sexual jokes in establishing relationships within a community.
"There is something pleasantly vibrating about sexual jokes. They are effective in producing relaxation, well-being, and generating healthy laughter. But they also relate to the pleasure of transgressing rules, creating complicities and solidarities, and forming a mini-community of circumstance around the erotic joke. Everyone who meets in the atmosphere of a joke, a tale, or an obscene song becomes, willingly or not, a small community," explained the researcher.
Păduraru described obscene folklore as those popular creations that explicitly talk about sex, not limited to simple references but including explicit designations perceived as violent. This type of creativity spans all themes and registers of folklore culture, from riddles to serious ritual elements.
He emphasized that when people verbalize sexual folklore among themselves, it is not perceived as obscene or pornographic. The researcher often projects this perception onto the subjects he studies. The distinction between emic (insider) and etic (outsider) perspectives is crucial for respecting the subjects who provided this information.
Păduraru noted that swearing represents folkloric manifestations of negative affective complexes. He referred to the idea that all swearing was once cursing, with roots in magic and rituals. Today's swearing is seen as a profane equivalent of ancient curses, serving as an expression of the powerless.
He also discussed the importance of sexual content in swearing, stating it serves to "soil" the target of the insult. The language of swearing is rich and often poetic, containing elements of creativity. Păduraru cited the Supplement to the Romanian Linguistic Atlas from 1942, dedicated to terms considered obscene, as containing many poetic gems.
Notably, he pointed out that the perception of sexual jokes has historically been male-dominated, but recent research indicates that women also play a significant role in this domain. Păduraru shared an anecdote about older women expressing bold sexual humor during a ritual, illustrating the complexities of gender in folklore.
Finally, he reflected on how cultural and religious contexts impact the acceptance of swearing, noting that Orthodox culture has been more lenient in this regard compared to Protestant traditions. The conversation concluded with Păduraru's insights on the evolution of obscene language and its role in contemporary society.