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Euphemism in political speech
Communication is not only a matter of exchanging talks but also a matter of being polite andknowing how to send the message without affecting the face of the interlocutor. In the course of communication, speakers often face cognitive dissonance inducing situations in which there is aneed to choose between referring to something directly or relieving someone of someresponsibility by sacrificing semantic transparency and letting hearers infer the true meaning. The very existence of sharp straightforward words that may inspire fear ofsupernatural forces such as death will automatically trigger a quest for euphemism. For example, alternatives that do not arouse abomination, revulsion or dread. Euphemisms are used when one wants to name things without calling up a mental picture ofthem. The aim of using euphemisms is to strike at a person’s imagination. Euphemisms do not form complete pictures in the mind, nor do they completely define an event or object. Without acomplete definition, the ability to understand the true meaning of a statement is obscured. Therefore, sometimes using euphemisms is a good way of deceiving people and not telling the truth (Cumhuk).
A euphemism could be described as a polite expression that is used in place of phrases or words that are considered unpleasant or harsh to hear. Individuals use euphemisms regularly, and there are several examples of those in everyday language use (Risher). There are a lot of euphemisms individuals encounter every day. The next time someone you are having a conversation with says something that totally has a different meaning than its literal meaning, consider that statement a euphemism. This is because the individual is avoiding using less-pleasing, less-polite or phrasing. In some cases, euphemisms are intentionally less pleasant or a grosser way of saying something.
Such happens when individuals are being sarcastic or trying to make fun of a serious subject and make it look less serious. Examples of such euphemisms include using the expression ‘making whoopee’ instead of sex, ‘blowing chunks’ instead of vomiting, ‘hiding the sausage’ instead of having sex and ‘kicking the bucket’ instead of dying(Chen). Other euphemisms that are aimed at making expressions more polite include ‘biting the dust’ instead of dying, the use of the expression ‘cement shoes’ when referring to the dead and using the expression ‘batting for the other side when referring to homosexuals. Individuals also use euphemisms to make an unpleasant or blunt truth seem less harsh.
Examples of phrases that fall under this category include ‘departed’ instead of died, ‘passed away’ instead of died, ‘correctional facility’ when referring to jail and referring to the handicapped or disabled as differently-abled. Other individuals used to soften expressions also include using the phrase ‘negative patient outcome’ when referring to a dead patient, referring to a prison camp as a ‘relocation center’ and using the phrase ‘collateral damage’ when referring to accidental deaths. Employers could also use the phrase ‘letting of someone’ instead of firing them, medical practitioners use the phrase ‘putting to sleep’ instead of euthanize to soften the expression(Shneiderman).
Most people consider the words or phrases the euphemisms stand for as unpleasant to hear or harsh. Euphemisms have been used for a long time to cover up harsh truths and help speakers be more polite. It is also important to note that euphemistic expressions also affect how the audience understands and perceives the message. Various political speeches have been interpreted by taking into consideration their pragmatic perspectives such as politeness principles. Speakers and members of the audience should understand that communication does not just refer to the way in which individuals exchange talks. Communication involves being polite and being aware of methods of sending messages without negatively impacting the interpretation of the message (McGlone).
Using euphemistic expressions is important in political speeches.In the course of various forms of communication and human speech interactions, speakers are often faced with negative dissonance that is evident when they are forced to make a choice between reliving the responsibility that comes with inferring the true meaning or refer to something directly. The use of very sharp and straightforward words has been known to inspire the fear of supernatural forces in the audience such as death will trigger the automatic use of a euphemistic expression. An example of this is what British Prime minister said about those who felt that hispolitical campaign had far been hopelessly lowbrow. “Today I want to speak to people who have progressive ideals hardwired into their DNA," explained Cameron, by which he meant those misguided souls thinking of voting Liberal Democrat. The Guardian (2010 April 26) David Cameron ushers us into a world of euphemism. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/apr/26/david-cameron-world-of-euphemisms
It is important to use euphemisms so as to minimize abomination of the subject, revulsion or dread. Speakers use euphemisms when they want to name things without necessarily creating an exact mental picture of them. The aim of euphemistic expressions in political speeches and life, in general, is to strike people’s imagination (McGlone). However, it should be noted that euphemisms do not form complete mental images in the minds of the audience. They also do not completely define events or subjects. Euphemisms also obscure the formation of a complete meaning of a statement.An example of this is PresidentObama’s speech about the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, has said “thatpolicy-by-slogan will no longer pass as an acceptable form of debate in this country. “Missionaccomplished,” “cut and run,” “stay the course” the American people have determined thatall these phrases have become meaningless in the face of a conflict that grows more deadly andchaotic with each passing day.”From the pragmatics of politeness in English euphemism. (2008, May 22). Retrieved on October1st from http://eng.hi138.com/?i50545#
3. Using euphemisms in political speeches is an effective way of deceiving people and telling the truth in a more polite manner. Euphemisms are also used in political speeches to powerful linguistic features that are geared towards smoothening communication and preserving interpersonal relationships in polite encounters. Due to this, euphemism has been undoubtedly considered a faithful linguistic politeness indicator in political speeches. Indirectness in speech has been considered as an ideal behavior that is used to mitigate conflictive situations. It could also be most applicable in ensuring there is a mutual protection of individuals. An Example of this is former President Bill Clinton who had been far from unencumbered by scandal - not least when he attempted to redefine "sexual relations". But perhaps his greatest linguistic legacy came during his campaign for the presidency when he admitted he had smoked marijuana but "didn't inhale".Jon Kelly (2013 May 15) The 10 most scandalous euphemisms. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22470691
Euphemistic expressions have been deeply embedded in our language that it is almost impossible to get through a day without applying them in conversation and other forms of communication. It is important that political speakers choose expressions and words appropriately so as to avoid sugar coating ideas or naming things directly (Ham). This is because various contexts demand different vocabularies in addressing of sensitive societal issues. In some political speeches, the use of euphemisms is aimed at achieving the humor function. An example of this is Hillary Clinton when she claimed to have been pinned down by sniper fire while on a trip to Bosnia. When video footage suggested otherwise, she went in front of the cameras and admitted: "I did mis-speak the other day."At the time, lexicographer Tony Thorne predicted in the Magazine that in future the term "will probably only be used ironically or mockingly". It had, however, previously been used by Republican candidate John McCain and the staffs of Presidents George W Bush and Ronald Reagan.Jon Kelly (2013 May 15) The 10 most scandalous euphemisms.
6. The birth of euphemism can be traced back to the Western political life. Some news media and politicians have made efficient use of the vagueness that euphemism provides to cover up various facts that are aimed at making the economy, politics and military reporting are steadier. In political speeches, the polite function of euphemisms is achieved at by avoiding inelegant things and making people feel more pleasant. Speakers prefer to use vagueness in euphemisms to avoid hurting people’s feelings or making offenses. An example of this is President Obama, in one of his speeches, tries to justify for America’sinterference in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has said “they knew our power grows through itsprudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause… we are the keepers of thislegacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand evengreater effort- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will beginreasonably leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.” As we can see, president Obama has used a vague euphemism to point out the danger ofAl-Qaeda and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.From the pragmatics of politeness in English euphemism. (2008, May 22). Retrieved on October1st from http://eng.hi138.com/?i50545#
Making speeches is an integral part of politicians’ roles in persuading people to agree with various policies. To sum up this assignment, we can see that the analysis of political speeches has identified a strong emphasis of the importance of euphemism. The various euphemistic expressions used in political speeches are aimed at maximizing benefits to both parties and minimizing any occurrence of dispraise of either party. To achieve this, speakers should appropriately use various maxims that are present in euphemistic expressions. Political speakers are not intended at affecting the receivers negatively but positively (Chen). Political speakers apply various euphemistic expressions because of the evolving changes in the political reforms. Politicians control most of the country’s political activities. This explains why it is important for the speakers to reform their traditional and conventional language. Perfecting their public speaking language is an effective way of arousing the public’s interest the political affairs of their country. People should understand that the appropriate use of euphemistic expressions in political gatherings can be of great help to the politicians as they will be in a better position to fulfill their tasks and meet various demands of the political system (Cumhuk).
Works Cited
Al-Shunaq, Al-Hamad. "‘Arabic Death Discourse in Translation: Euphemism and Metaphorical Conceptualization.'." Across Languages and Cultures (2011): 19-22.
Chen, Dong. " Euphemism in Jordanian Political Discourse: a Pragmatic and Translational Perspective." International Journal of Communication (2009): 27-29.
Cumhuk, Eliecer. "On Pragmatic Strategies for Avoidance of Explicitness in Language. ." Asian Social Science (2010): 45-46.
Enright, DJ. "Fair of speech: The uses of euphemism." Family Practice (2011): 41-43.
Ham, Linfoot. "The Linguistics of Euphemism: a Diachronic Study of Euphemism ." Journal of Language and Linguistics (2010): 78-79.
McGlone, Greeley. "The interplay of truth and deception: New agendas in theory and research." American Journal of Sociology (2011): 32-33.
Risher, Todd. " Swearing, euphemisms, and linguistic relativity." Compensation and Benefits Review (2012): 52-53.
Shneiderman, Zhao. "Communication in China: Political economy, power, and conflict." Journal of Global History (2013): 91-92.
Cumhuk, A., N., Conventionality and manipulative potential of euphemism in discourse (2011):60-61.
From the pragmatics of politeness in English euphemism. (2008, May 22). Retrieved on October1st from http://eng.hi138.com/?i50545#
Jon Kelly (2013 May 15) The 10 most scandalous euphemisms. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22470691
The Guardian (2010 April 26) David Cameron ushers us into a world of euphemism. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/apr/26/david-cameron-world-of-euphemisms
