word "euphemism" comes from the Greek term a complex consisting of two words "good" and "say".It is stylistically neutral expression or concept used by us instead of a linguistic unit, which is synonymous, which seems rude, tactless or indecent speaker.Euphemisms, examples of which we present in this article, often mask the essence of the phenomenon, veil it, for example: using instead of "die" - "die" instead of "lie" - "speak the truth", the replacement of the phrase "the price increase," "price liberalization".We can say about the atomic bomb, using the word "product."
historical volatility
euphemisms Euphemisms, unlike the common lexicon, are highly sensitive to estimates of the phenomena by society as "indecent" or "decent".This is due to the formation of the historical volatility of vocabulary that what one generation seems euphemistic name, in the following may be regarded as invalid and undoubted brutality, requires, in turn, euphemistic replacement.As an example, the story of French words and garce fille.In ancient times, the first was only a female compliance gars, which stands for "boy, boy", then - a euphemism for the word "whore", but soon began to realize how rude and was replaced in this function, the word fille (one of the values), which, in turn,, in French today is no longer considered a substitute and vocabulary used in battle.Such euphemisms are common in speech, in many languages.
A similar pattern is observed in the history of the symbols of this concept among the Slavs.For example, the Russian word for "whore" (compare also Belarusian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian "whore", Czech kurva, Polish kurwa) meant originally "chicken", and then began to be used as a euphemism for rude words in the sense of wanton women (compare the French cocotte - first "chicken "and" ho ").There are also similar to the English euphemisms.
ratio with other speech techniques
As a way periphrastic, indirect and simultaneously softening designate properties of an object or action, they compare well with other speech techniques, in particular litotes that is understood as a welcome expression in the basis of whichis a double negative ("not without intention," "arguable") or displacement modus denial in some of the affirmative of the statements ("I do not think you're right" - cf .: "I think you are wrong"), andwith another agent - meiosis - taking expressiveness, the essence of which - the deliberate belittling the intensity of certain properties of the subject of speech, processes, activities, and so on. n. ("It is hardly wise" - a silly woman, "It is pretty well fires" - aboutgood direction).
Contact
nomination process evfemizatsii has a close relationship with another - nomination.This is one of the three fundamental events that shape human speech activity (two others - assessment and predication).For cultural, ethical, psychological or other reasons-called hard or not at all known objects require euphemistic designation.Updating the name is because you want to veil or to soften again and again the essence of what is considered indecent, inconvenient cultural society.There are, in particular, political euphemisms, an example of which we have already given (replacing the phrase "the price increase," "price liberalization").You can find a number of others.
Specificity
euphemisms Euphemisms, examples of which are quite extensive, have their own specifics.It is manifested in their linguistic essence, and in what topics are often subject to this process, areas of use of the received word in the types of tools and methods by which they are created in the language in different estimates given by the company in some euphemisms.
essence euphemism
essential to the process evfemizatsii following listed below points:
- score that talking makes the subject of speech as such, a direct reference to that can be seen (the specific target or a social environment) as an impropriety, sharpness, rudeness,t. e.
- selection of symbols that veil, mask the essence of this phenomenon, not just a way to soften its expression.Especially clearly this seems an example of medical euphemisms, vague semantically, for example, "new growth" instead of the word "tumor", or borrowing from other languages (and therefore not fully understood by most) - a term such as "lice" instead of Russian "lice" or othereuphemisms in Russian language, examples of which can be extended.
- Consumption depends on the language and context: the social control of a speech situation and self-control his speech talking tougher, the more likely is the appearance of euphemisms.Conversely, in situations where it poorly controlled, there is its high automatism (communication with friends, family and so on. N.).Euphemisms, examples of which we have given, may be replaced by "direct" means designation.
objectives of inclusion in it of euphemisms
- main goal pursued by using such words saying - the desire to avoid communication conflict, create a situation in which the caller will not feel uncomfortable.In pursuing this aim euphemisms in a "soft" form, as compared with other methods category, action is called, an object property.For example, to replace the word "deaf" used "hard of hearing" rather than "blind" - "blind" instead of "lie" or "false" - "not true", the word "drunk" is replaced by "drunk", "fat"- "full", and so on. d. euphemism, the definition of which is usually not much difficulty because we do it intuitively, in these cases, allows us to communicate without discomfort.
- Camouflage, veiling the merits - another important purpose for which these are used and replaced.This is typical for a totalitarian society, it was how, for example, Russia until the end of the 1980s.Examples veiled euphemistic expressions to conceal unpleasant interlocutor are actions and concepts: the word "prison" - "institution", "snitch" - "well-wisher", as well as numerous education available in the first part of the word morpheme "spets" (special settlers,special contingent, spetspoliklinika, Special Branch, spetsraspredeliteli, spetskhran and others), "regulating or regulation of prices" (meaning in fact their rise), "unpopular measures" (tax increases, for example) and other such euphemisms.Examples of words can lead others.In Russian, a lot of couples.
- That's not all cases can be used as a euphemism.The definition of the latter, the third, the case is not so obvious, however, and it is possible to guess.Euphemisms may be used for the purpose of concealing from others that the speaker wishes to inform a specific recipient.Of course, this "encryption" is relative, it soon becomes apparent, especially if the reports are published and are not contained in the correspondence of the two parties, and thus become available to interpret any listener or reader.For example, it is typical for newspaper ads, the theme of which - an exchange area of the apartment ("I was a two-room apartment for a two-bedroom on the agreement"), employment ("Wanted girl without complexes in the high-paying jobs") and others. The value of euphemisms, thus notunderestimate.
Areas and topics evfemizatsii
Evaluation of words used by the speaker in terms of politeness / rudeness, decency / indecency focused on specific areas and themes of human activity (as well as relations between people).They have traditionally been considered the following:
- certain physiological states and processes ("Loose nose" instead of "blowing your nose," "malaise" (about women's menstrual period), "waiting child" instead of "pregnant", etc.).
- related to "lower stratum" of the body - these objects are such that euphemistic, indirect their designation is perceived in everyday speech by most speakers as a not quite decent (for example, slang and colloquial names of the penis, "stick", "apparatus""Tool" et al.).
- relations between the sexes, "to be in intimate relationship" and colloquial to "meet", that is to have "sexual relations" and so on. N.
- Death and disease: instead of "sick" - "feel bad"instead of "syphilis" - "French runny nose", the word "deceased" instead of "died" and others.
That is a euphemism - a synonym, but with a certain semantic connotations.Topics and scope of their use, as you can see, quite numerous.
Euphemisms in the text and speech
euphemisms in the text, examples of which were given us, often distinguished by using quotation marks and can be accompanied by various metalinguistic comments.The author can disclose the names and bring them in parallel lines.The speech euphemisms also represent one of the stylistic means.They allow you to vary the speech speaking, depending on various conditions, veil and hide his intentions, if necessary, to avoid possible communication conflicts that may arise in the immediate nomination of a variety of actions, objects and properties.
Euphemism changed dysphemism
Culture of Russian speech is not limited to the use of euphemisms.Apart from these, there are dysphemism - is obscene or gross designation originally neutral concepts in order to give the latter a negative meaning, or simply used to enhance the expressiveness of speech.For example, instead of the use of "die" for the word "die", and instead of "face" - "face" and others.
dysphemism and kakofemizm
This term is used sometimes as a synonym for another concept - "kakofemizm."Their use, however, is not confined to incivility and rudeness.In traditional cultures (eg, Asian) dysphemism common in speech rather broadly in order to avoid the evil eye: against women, children or valuable objects.Often, such changes in the use of disguise boundary that exists between self-abasement polite and superstition.
We have considered such a thing as a euphemism changed dysphemism and kakofemizm.Designated by them objects and phenomena are used in the speech of each one of us, we do it without even thinking.Now you know how are called in Russian like replacement, and will be able to use them more consciously.
