Mind your Language! Darren Harriott, Dr Emma Byrne and Dr Richard Stephens
A witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes, guest hosted by Adam Rutherford and Jess Fostekew.
Why do we swear? Cheeky monkeys Adam Rutherford and Jessica Fostekew explore expletives as they discuss the science, psychology and history of profanities with science writer Dr Emma Byrne, psychologist Dr Richard Stephens and comedian Darren Harriott.
From ancient graffiti and international insults to chimpanzees inventing their own taboo signals, the panel investigates what swearing can reveal about language, culture and the human mind. Along the way they discover why swearing may increase pain tolerance, how children learn profanity, and what brain injuries can teach us about language. Could it be that bad language may be doing rather more good than we thought?
Producer: Mel Brown
A BBC Studios Production
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- Thu 19 Nov 202611:00BBC Radio 4
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A witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.
