Book contents
- Words that Wound
- Words that Wound
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Disclaimer: A Note to Readers
- Introduction
- 1Setting the Scene
- 2Understanding Offence
- 3Data and Methodological Considerations
- 4Navigating the Landscape of Offensive Discourse
- 5Semantic Domains of Offensive Language
- 6Patterns of Offensive Language Usage
- 7Less Explicitly Offensive Language
- 8Creativity and Offence
- 9Conclusion
- References
- Index
8 - Creativity and Offence
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 April 2026
Book contents
- Words that Wound
- Words that Wound
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Disclaimer: A Note to Readers
- Introduction
- 1Setting the Scene
- 2Understanding Offence
- 3Data and Methodological Considerations
- 4Navigating the Landscape of Offensive Discourse
- 5Semantic Domains of Offensive Language
- 6Patterns of Offensive Language Usage
- 7Less Explicitly Offensive Language
- 8Creativity and Offence
- 9Conclusion
- References
- Index
Summary
Chapter 8 investigates the complex relationship between online offensive language and creativity. We demonstrate how creativity extends beyond literary contexts to everyday online interactions. The chapter showcases a vast array of creative tools that are used to cause offence and attests to the fact that while creativity could be enriched by the resources available on various online platforms (e.g., memes and emojis), written language remains central to creative communication. We demonstrate how creative language tools categorised under, for example, tropes, figures of diction and figures of thought, help the offender construct remarks that target sensitive aspects such as appearance, race, gender and personality. We also argue that creative language functions on multiple levels, with its interpretation often requiring a pragmatic layer that extends beyond simple word recognition.
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Words that WoundExploring Online Offensive Language, pp. 151 - 173Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
Accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AAA
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
The HTML of this chapter complies with version 2.2 of the
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
(WCAG), offering more comprehensive accessibility measures for a broad range
of users and attains the highest
(AAA)
level of WCAG compliance, optimising the user experience by meeting the most extensive
accessibility guidelines.
Content Navigation
Table of contents navigation
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Index navigation
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Reading Order & Textual Equivalents
Single logical reading order
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
Short alternative textual descriptions
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
Full alternative textual descriptions
You get more than just short alt text: you have comprehensive text equivalents, transcripts, captions, or audio descriptions for substantial non‐text content, which is especially helpful for complex visuals or multimedia.
You get more than just short alt text: you have comprehensive text equivalents, transcripts, captions, or audio descriptions for substantial non‐text content, which is especially helpful for complex visuals or multimedia.
Visualised data also available as non-graphical data
You can access graphs or charts in a text or tabular format, so you are not excluded if you cannot process visual displays.
You can access graphs or charts in a text or tabular format, so you are not excluded if you cannot process visual displays.
Visual Accessibility
Use of colour is not sole means of conveying information
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
Use of high contrast between text and background colour
You benefit from high‐contrast text, which improves legibility if you have low vision or if you are reading in less‐than‐ideal lighting conditions.
You benefit from high‐contrast text, which improves legibility if you have low vision or if you are reading in less‐than‐ideal lighting conditions.