Guarding the Tongue: A Thematic Analysis of Gossip Control Strategies among Orthodox Jewish Women in London

This paper describes the views and experiences of Strictly-Orthodox Jewish women with respect to the metapragmatic ethos of Shmiras HaLoshon (monitoring oneʹs talk, literally ʹguarding the tongueʹ). Eight extended interviews were conducted with Strictly-Orthodox women and teenagers in London, and salient themes were identified, namely: (1) Loshon Hora (ʹevil talkʹ) is the prime exemplar of bad talk. (2) Loshon Hora is the hardest (one of the hardest) things to avoid, because it is so easy to do. (3) The perceived consequences of Loshon Hora are very serious. (4) Great caution/various strategies are employed in order to not speak Loshon Hora. (5) Perceived gender differences exist in proneness to speak Loshon Hora. (6) One is reponsible for monitoring others. (7) Young children can be(come) aware of the issues. Subjects appeared to take this aspect of religious observance very seriously, and were taking active steps to promote observance. Social desirability bias may be an inappropriate concept for explaining our participantsʹ behaviour. It is also suggested that the perceived importance of Shmiras HaLoshon may be important in helping to maintain community cohesion and preventing conflicts, by improving respect for privacy and reputation in a community where gossip is attractive but divisive.