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Question: The first three books were great without the F-words,5 is it necessary to use these words? I personally feel that the people of that time did not use that word.6 I will continue to read and listen to your books but would rather not have to expose my children to the word when I can prevent. Doug Toole

From: Diana Gabaldon

To: Doug Toole

Date: Fri 06 Jun 97 03:11:29 EDT Subject: commendation & word question

Dear Doug—

If you were reading the books with some attention, you might notice that “the F-word” is _not_ used in “that time” (i.e., by eighteenth century characters). It _was,_ however, used—with what I thought reasonable frequency—both in the 1940s (where Claire learned it, no doubt), and in the 1960s, which is where it occurred in the book Drums of Autumn. Hate to tell you this, but people—especially young men in a rage—did indeed use that there word; I was alive in 1960, and I heard them.7

Glad you’ve enjoyed the books otherwise.—Diana

From: Diana Gabaldon

To: Doug Toole

Date: Fri 06 Jun 97 03:11:30 EDT Subject: commendation & word question

P.S. It does occur to me to wonder about your comment about “not exposing your children” to the F-word—how old are your children? If they’re too young to be entirely familiar with that word, I’m afraid they’re a lot too young to be reading my books, and not (by any means) because of the language.

From Doug Toole

To: 76530.523@CompuServe.COM Date: Fri, 6 Jun 1997 07:44:02 EDT Subject: Re: Commendation & word question

Diana,

Thanks for your prompt response. The children or child now is four and loves books either audio or printed. You are right, too young to be reading your book. But we as a family traveling on trips enjoy listening to books, yours included. As an example we just returned from eleven days driving from Seattle to Needles and back. So we are cognizant of the language popping up. We know she will learn the words but would like to keep her virginal as long as possible. No reply is needed unless you would prefer. Once again we enjoy your books and will continue to look forward to them in the future.

From: Diana Gabaldon

To: Doug Toole

Date: Sun 08 Jun 97 04:43:37 EDT Subject: commendation & word ques

Dear Doug—

Well, I have children myself (11, 13, and 15 at the moment), and we try not to expose them to “bad language,” either, in spite of the fact that they all know all the words already (there’s still some point to insisting that these are not suitable for civilized conversation, after all).

The thing is, though—my books are definitely written (and carefully written at that) for adults. When I do use bad language in the books (oddly enough, I never use it, personally; never), it’s because it seems to me to be called for, by the circumstances and character. In the case of the F-word in DRUMS (I did use that same word in all the other books, by the way, though sparingly), it’s used by a young man in the grip of angry (and sexually motivated) passion, in the late 1960s. Given this character, this time period, and this set of circumstances, his language seemed entirely appropriate.

Now, one reason for insisting that bad language not be used in everyday discourse is, of course, that it’s low-class and offensive. One other reason—equally important, in my opinion—is that such language does have its own legitimate purpose; that is, to express feeling that is also beyond the limits of normal civilized discourse. To use such words casually deprives them of their impact.

You can see that, in the scene in question in DRUMS. If Roger normally spoke like that, the reader wouldn’t have (what I hope is) the impression of a man driven almost beyond endurance, and holding on to his notions of decent behavior with great effort.

Okay. So, the point is that when I do use strong language, I have a specific reason for doing so. It really doesn’t seem reasonable to me to eradicate such language—chosen and used carefully, to a purpose—on the grounds that someone might someday wish to listen to