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Euphemism in political speech

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 o 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).

1.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.

2. 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.

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.

4. 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.

5. Speakers should use jocular euphemistic expressions to help the audience face facts more easily. Politicians use euphemisms to save their faces and avoid deforming their reputation. Using euphemisms expresses same meanings of words but in many different ways as their effects are entirely different. This is what is referred to as the art of speaking. Applying euphemistic expressions make life more colorful. Political speakers also use euphemisms to induce function. Speakers use various euphemistic expressions to make their statements more persuasive. The various cosmetic phrases have special communicative functions that are referred to as inducing functions(Enright). Another importance of using euphemistic expressions is to cover-up and withholding information.

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.

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.