A diachronic study of euphemism formation kerry linfootham university of florida, usa abstract this paper examines how very personal linguistic choices are actually products of societal mores and pressures. This blog is about lexicology the branch of linguistics dealing with english words, vocabulary, its subdivisions and main features. Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject english language and literature studies linguistics, grade. This one is one of the most common euphemisms, so much so that you probably didn. This is illustrated by the fact that the general service list gsl, listing the 2000 most frequent and therefore most basic english words, is made up by 50. Peculiarities of euphemisms in english and difficulties in. If early euphemisms were initially a means to avoid being blasphemous, they quickly became means to avoid impropriety, especially in the prelude to the victorian era followed by. My opinion on why we study english lexicology how many words are there in the modern english language.
Sometimes called doublespeak, a euphemism is a word or phrase which pretends to communicate but doesnt. N 7 euphemism and lexical creation euphemism as a word. Euphemisms can also be treated within the synchronic approach, because both expressions, the euphemistic and the direct one, coexist in the language and form a synonymic opposition. Euphemism in modern american english zhou lina china youth university of political studies, beijing, china. Euphemism and political discoursein the british regional press article pdf available in brno studies in english 401. Since euphemisms are established social speaking and behaving norms, ways of thinking as well as outlook of value, it is essential to study their features and application. Holders popular and successful dictionary of euphemisms is packed full of traditional favourites, such as dutch uncle or push up the daisies, as well as euphemisms from the contemporary world such as restructuring, coffeehousing, extrajudicial killing.
In her book modern english structure barbara strang 1968. While youre here, check out 28 phrases to feel comfortable in english conversations. Informal, taboo, facetious, euphemistic, n o t standard, connotative. Euphemism and political discoursein the british regional press.
Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. As well as considering the borrowing of words from other. Well, im not sure the new york times was consciously trying to trivialise me, but the effect of it is to put everything in the same category as the gossip you read in the magazines you pick up at supermarket counters. And just like english, chinese also has euphemisms which cannot be translated easily. Lexicology is the part of linguistics that studies words. Pages in category english euphemisms the following 200 pages are in this category, out of 1,9 total. Choose from 265 different sets of english lexicology flashcards on quizlet. English learners love the word up quiz game for real language improvement in a relaxed way. Euphemisms are used daily to discuss delicate or sensitive subjects. Dictionary of euphemisms oxford paperback reference. English euphemism as used by native speakers of english and of thai a masters project by rommayasin kaosaad presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master of arts degree in english at srinakharinwirot university september 2009.
It is aimed at providing students with new reading material which illustrates the main topics addressed at lectures on english lexicology. Efl students taking the course on english lexicology are cordially invited, as well as all those who would like to get some information about english wordbuilding, semantics, synonyms and antonyms, archaisms and neologisms, phraseology, lexicography. It makes the bad seem good, the negative seem positive, the unnatural seem natural, the unpleasant seem attractive. I was asked, for example, why i thought there were so many euphemisms for genitalia. Listen to the audio pronunciation in the cambridge english dictionary. The neological functions of disease euphemisms in english. Euphemisms are words or phrases we can use to talk about negative stuff without sounding too negative. Lexicology grade 2 b author judith huber author year 2004 pages 14 catalog number. Euphemisms have become a very common thing to use in contemporary language.
Pdf euphemisms as the means of inferiority category expression. A second test is that the euphemistic word or phrase once meant, or prima facie still means. Lexicology is the branch of linguistics that studies the stock of words the lexicon in a given language. Sexual euphemisms in the english language request pdf. When the word first entered english in the 18th century from tonga, it referred to conduct. Euphemisms always tend to be a source of new synonymic formations.
In selecting euphemistic words and phrases i have accepted henry fowlers definition. It is impossible to count the number of words in a language, because it is so hard to decide what counts as a word. We use them because we dont want to use a particular negative word or phrase. This course is a part of the curricula of foreign languages departments of. Euphemisms and other examples of verbal squeamishness by nigel rees 4 times the evasionenglish dictionary by maggie. My opinion on why we study english lexicology 1778 words. Fourteen euphemistic and dysphemistic expressions identified by the researcher as posing potential difficulties for the target audience are studies. Some hospitals have special clinics, where sexually. How people use euphemism to talk about sex is a direct reflection of these social concerns. A euphemism is the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague term for one considered to be harsh, blunt, or offensive. It comes from peter lasletts influential book, a fresh map of life. Obscurity, officialese,jornalese, commercialese 20. Antrushina, a course in modern english lexicology by r.
The english language is full of common euphemisms, phrases which we use every day to avoid saying something directly, often without even realizing we are using a euphemism. Learn english lexicology with free interactive flashcards. The english word euphemism is found for the first time in a book written in 1656 by thomas blount, glossographia burchfield 1985. Whatever the purpose of such a tone is, the effect is to. A comprehensive guide to euphemisms in chinese and english. But what are some of the most common euphemisms used today, and what do they actually mean. Euphemism means the use of a mild or vague or periphrastic expression as a substitute for blunt precision or disagreeable use modern english usage, 1957. Our love affair with euphemisms by ralph keyes 10 times slang and euphemism, 3rd revised ed. Today, youre going to learn 25 common euphemism phrases in english. Euphemisms may be used to mask profanity or refer to taboo topics such as disability, sex. Lexicology deals not only with simple words in all their aspects but also with complex and compound words, the meaningful units of language. Lexicology meaning in the cambridge english dictionary.
This work goes back to the sources of modern english words and studies the development of vocabulary over time. For each euphemism youll find a definition, example sentences, notes and a quick quiz question. Euphemism examples this is a list of about fifty common euphemisms. A few common euphemisms are pass away when referring to death and downsizing for job cuts. English lexicology compiled by associate professor nino. Holders popular and successful dictionary of euphemisms, offering a delightful collection of jocular and evasive expressions for sex, death, murder, crime, prison, and much more. The wordsworth book of euphemism wordsworth collection reference library 9781853263392. In this quiz, youll identify euphemisms from both everyday life and famous works of. Last but not least, some of the english euphemisms are borrowed lexical items.
Modern english is known to be a language made up of. Spears 9 times the faber dictionary of euphemisms by r. The translatability of euphemism and dysphemism in arabic. A euphemism is when you substitute language that is less direct and vague for another that is considered to be harsh, blunt, or offensive when talking or writing about subjects that we find embarrassing or unpleasant, we often use euphemisms.
Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes to downplay. Not only english but other modern languages as well have a definite set of notions attracting euphemistic circumlocutions. The origins of euphemisms and swear words in the english. This thoroughly updated paperback marks 20 years of r. Euphemisms as the means of inferiority category expression in the english. Modern english is known to be a language made up of mainly two different roots. Numerous linguists have also provided definitions of lexicology in their books. Being a compilation of linguistic fig leaves and verbal flourishes for artful users of the english language. A writer may choose to use euphemism when considering his audience. It examines what constitutes a word, with a discussion of words that look and sound the same, words that have several meanings, and words that are made up of more than one word. They are discussed in many books dedicated to correct english usage.
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