Email: tjay@mcla.edu
Phone: 413.662.5466
Bio - Professor Timothy Jay received his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Kent State University where he pioneered research on how people understand taboo word expressions. He has published 5 books on language and has published numerous scientific journal articles and book chapters on cursing. Professor Jay has won the prestigious G. Stanley Hall Award from the American Psychological Association for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. This award is presented annually to America’s top educators in the field of psychology. Dr. Jay has dedicated his career to studying the role of cursing in America and has become recognized as one of the leading scholars on the topic. The professor has mentored many undergraduate students in experimental psychology and sent them on to graduate programs in some of the best schools in America. He has participated in hundreds of newspaper, magazine, radio, and television interviews, and has appeared in 4 documentary films where he discussed his research on cursing. He writes researches and frequently gives academic, corporate, and college campus programming presentations on the subjects of language, education and censorship. Dr. Jay is actively involved in Division III college athletics and holds the position of Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA. He is an expert witness on the topics of language and censorship, as well as communication & ergonomics and can be contacted at MCLA at (413)662-5466 or through email at the address above.
Interview with Tim Jay on This American Life Episode 267 Ira talks with Dr Timothy Jay, author of Cursing in America and Why We Curse, and John Cody, legal aide to FCC Chairman Michael Powell. Read the fascinating landmark FCC decision that's changing the rules, and the ACLU's Petition for Reconsideration. (29 minutes)
Interview with Tim Jay on RadioWest 8/4/06: Why We Curse - The moment Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" let "F dash dash dash" fly in front of his father, he knew his life was over. "What would it be? The guillotine? Hanging? The chair? The rack? The Chinese water torture? Hmmph. Mere child's play compared to what surely awaited me." Words have power, and indeed, not all words are created equal. From our parents and teachers to the FCC, certain norms are expected. But why do we curse and why is it that sometimes, no other word will do? Doug Fabrizio talks to psychologist Timothy Jay and language expert Richard Lederer.
Online Article for Beliefnet.com
Swearing and the Soul
If Americans now see 'M-----f-----g' as the new 'darn', what does it reveal about our spiritual health?
 CURSING IN AMERICA (1992) The first serious examination of profanity from a psychological and linguistic point of view. John Benjamins Pub Co (1-800-562-5666). www.benjamins.com |
 WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR STUDENTS TALK DIRTY (1996)- a guide to help teachers and parents understand and deal with children's offensive language. Resource Publications Inc www.rpinet.com |
 WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR KIDS TALK DIRTY (1998) - a guide for parents and caregivers to help them cope with offensive language at home. Resource Publications Inc (1-888-273-7782) www.rpinet.com |
 WHY WE CURSE (2000) - a neuro-psycho-social theory of speech. John Benjamins Pub Co (1-800-562-5666). www.benjamins.com |
 The Psychology of Language (2003) - Prentice Hall For junior/senior-level courses in Psycholinguistics and The Psychology of Language. A comprehensive survey of classic and cutting edge research, this text shows how people comprehend, produce, and acquire language - and represents how powerful language processes are, and the importance of language in everyday life. It looks at emotional aspects of language processing in social contexts, and extends beyond the usual emphasis on structural aspects of language to include pragmatic and functional forces -demonstrating not just "what language is but also what language does." |
Jay, T., Caldwell-Harris, C. & King, K. (2008) Recalling taboo and nontaboo words
Jay, T. & Janschewitz, K. (2007). Filling the emotion gap in linguistic theory:
Commentary on Potts’ expressive dimension
Jay, T., King, K., & Duncan, T. (2006). Memory of punishment for cursing. Sex Roles.
Jay, T. (2005) American Women: Their Cursing Habits and Religiosity
Jay, T., (1981). Comprehending dirty-word descriptions.
Jay, T., (1980). Sex roles and dirty word usage: A review of the literature and a reply to Haas.Sex
Lively and interactive 1, 2 or 4-hour workshops designed to help teachers and parents solve problems caused by children's cursing. College credits and professional development credits are available.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts -- 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247-4100 -- (413) 662-5000 -- Fax:(413) 662-5010