American Journal Of Philological Sciences
360
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue06 2025
PAGE NO.
360-363
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue06-94
Possibilities of Expressing an Individual's Social Status
Through Euphemistic Means
Ruzimatova Dilnoza
Doctoral Student of Institute of the Uzbek Language, Literature and Folklore of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Received:
30 April 2025;
Accepted:
28 May 2025;
Published:
30 June 2025
Abstract:
This article examines the concept of social status in linguistics and its expression in speech. It provides
information on the foundations of euphemism formation, their functions, and the conditions under which they
are used in speech. A brief overview of the political-literary and political-figurative types of euphemistic
expressions is presented, supported by examples from literary works.
Keywords:
Euphemism, dysphemism, euphemistic expression, euphemistic means, political-literary euphemism,
political-ideological euphemism.
Introduction:
In linguistics, euphemism refers to the
practice of replacing words or phrases denoting things
or events considered shameful, unconventional,
frightening, dangerous, or unpleasant to hear with
words and expressions that convey pleasant, harmless,
or beautiful meanings and content. Our language offers
the opportunity to express a particular thought in
various forms and styles. The choice of which form and
style to use, and the ability to find the most appropriate
expression for a communicative situation, depends on
the speaker's skill, qualifications, knowledge, and
spiritual qualities [4:4]. Using each word appropriately
based on the context of the conversation and the
identity of the interlocutor is one of the characteristics
of a mature speaker. Some sources suggest that taboo
words, i.e., prohibited words, are always replaced by
euphemisms [2:13]. However, if we examine the basis
for the formation of euphemisms, we can be certain
that they are used for other reasons as well.
There are various opinions in general linguistics,
Turkology, and Uzbek linguistics regarding the reasons
for the emergence and purposes of using taboos and
euphemisms. For instance, linguist R.A. Budagov
acknowledges that the emergence of taboos was
motivated by human beliefs and, to a certain extent,
forms the basis for the development of thinking.
However, he believes that euphemism is not a
significant factor in the emergence of taboos. This is
because taboos arose for other reasons. Euphemisms
are used to soften situations that would be
uncomfortable to express directly due to speech
etiquette. For example, he points out that to avoid
hurting the feelings of a person who is not intelligent,
they might be referred to as "ne izobrezayet poroxa"
(doesn't invent gunpowder) [1:26]. The requirements
of morality, particularly speech etiquette and
communication behavior, are reasons for not
describing certain events explicitly. In literary works, a
character's level of education, worldview, and thought
process are conveyed through words, and their high
culture of communication is also reflected in their
interactions with others. The occurrence of
euphemisms in the speech of people with different
social statuses in society also arises from various
foundations.
"Very well, elder. I'm in no hurry. Whenever I choose to
travel, my path is clear, I can mount the wooden horse
without obligation and be on my way."
The friend was annoyed:
"Let's flip the record over, Comrade Yakhshibaev!"
(M.M.Do'st. Lolazor)
The above conversation takes place between two
people of high social status, close friends since
childhood, as well as representatives of the
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
361
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
intelligentsia who understand language well. It is
known that the euphemism "wooden horse" used in
the first sentence means a coffin. Besides the fact that
calling it by its name causes fear in a person, the
speaker is a creative individual, therefore he does not
use the word directly or openly, but conveys it through
the aforementioned expression. The phrase "Let's flip
the record over" is spoken by the first leader, who has
a higher status in society than his interlocutor, as
described in the work. By using this phrase, the speaker
expresses the thought "say something else" or "change
the topic of conversation" with a different expression.
In this case, if the interlocutor were another official or
ordinary person, he could have expressed his opinion
more directly. However, the interlocutor is his close
friend who has contributed to his appointment to this
position. No matter how high his status, he chose to use
this euphemistic phrase to avoid hurting his friend's
feelings with a single word.
Adherence to the ethical requirements of speech is one
of the goals of a wise interlocutor. The ability to convey
thoughts to the interlocutor in an elegant manner also
requires special skill from the speaker.
Yakhshiboyev himself no longer tells this anecdote.
He's learned his lesson the hard way. As if there was no
one else, of all people he had to tell it to Oshno!.. At
first, Oshno listened politely, even grinned and
chuckled, then suddenly frowned and said: "Your words
don't smell of perfume, Comrade Yakhshiboev." In fact,
it would have been a thousand times better if Oshno
had bluntly said his words stank. But Oshno is an
excessively polite man, so polite it grates on your
nerves!..
In this passage, the speaker, using the phrase "your
words don't smell of perfume," means "your words
have an unpleasant meaning, speak appropriately for
your age and position." He was a high-ranking person
who understood language well, and could have
expressed himself more directly, but was constrained
by factors such as the listener's social status, reputation
as a wordsmith, and being his childhood friend.
Observing speech etiquette during conversation
contributes to its meaningful and effective conduct. If
euphemisms are used appropriately based on the
speech situation and the interlocutor's social status,
then it becomes possible to achieve the conversation's
goal.
"Your condition is serious, little brother."
"Speak more quietly, Nazar-aka! The old fox might
crush me... That's why I came to you for help..."
..."Firstly, I'm not a saint for you to come seeking
refuge..."
The phrase "I have come to pray" mentioned in the
excerpt is actually used to convey the meaning "I need
help; there is nothing beyond your capability." The
speaker cannot say this directly to a person of higher
status because he is close to someone of high standing
in society, a well-known figure in the country. Due to
the interlocutor's elevated status, there is hesitation to
speak openly, so the speaker conveys his thoughts
more indirectly and expressively. Moreover, openly
expressing this opinion is risky in the conversational
setting, as the context does not allow for its direct use.
"I'm at the deputy's, teacher. I had a ticket, but I
couldn't sit idle. My sin is grave, but I'll make amends
one day, elder?"
"When you leave, take that 'ambassador' with you too,
little brother!" In this passage, the phrase "my sin is
grave" is used instead of "I have disrespected you." "I'll
make amends one day" is expressed more effectively to
mean "I was at fault; please forgive me." It is not
difficult to discern from the context that these
impactful phrases are being used in the speech of a
subordinate person. Euphemisms can appear in speech
as words, proverbs, phrases, and sometimes entire
sentences. In literary works, there are instances of
expressing uncomfortable ideas through established
expressions. A. Omonturdiyev's research indicates that
the use of euphemisms can arise from political and
ideological necessity. "New moral and philosophical
ideas related to specific socio-political periods or
changes form in society. This necessity leads to the
emergence of new means of speech expression. Such
expressions are more prevalent in journalistic style.
However, in political-journalistic style, critical, non-
political, or ideologically divergent concepts or realities
cannot always be clearly described, so they are
sometimes euphemized - expressed in a 'soft,' 'veiled,'
or 'curtained' manner. Such euphemistic expressions
can be termed political-artistic and political-figurative
euphemisms" [7:52]. The process of euphemizing
political realities, or the euphemistic-journalistic
method of depiction, is evident in Uzbek literature,
particularly in the speech of great writers. The use of
euphemisms is characterized by socio-political
specificity. In each social system, the phenomenon of
euphemization occurs in connection with the
ideological landscape of the period and socio-political
processes [8:40].
In this passage, the phrase "my sin is grave" is used
instead of "I disrespected you." "I'll make amends one
day" is expressed more effectively to mean "I was at
fault; please forgive me." It is not difficult to discern
from the context that these impactful phrases are
being used in the speech of a subordinate person.
Euphemisms can appear in speech as words, proverbs,
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
362
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
phrases, and sometimes entire sentences. In literary
works, there are instances of expressing uncomfortable
ideas
through
established
expressions.
A.
Omonturdiyev's research indicates that the use of
euphemisms can arise from political and ideological
necessity. "New moral and philosophical ideas related
to specific socio-political periods or changes form in
society. This necessity leads to the emergence of new
means of speech expression. Such expressions are
more prevalent in journalistic style. However, in
political-journalistic style, critical, non-political, or
ideologically divergent concepts or realities cannot
always be clearly described, so they are sometimes
euphemized - expressed in a 'soft,' 'veiled,' or
'curtained' manner. Such euphemistic expressions can
be termed political-artistic and political-figurative
euphemisms" [7:52]. The process of euphemizing
political realities, or the euphemistic-journalistic
method of depiction, is evident in Uzbek literature,
particularly in the speech of great writers. The use of
euphemisms is characterized by socio-political
specificity. In each social system, the phenomenon of
euphemization occurs in connection with the
ideological landscape of the period and socio-political
processes [8:40].
L.P. Krysin noted that euphemisms arise due to the
need for diplomats and politicians to use words within
the framework of etiquette that cannot be directly
named in the process of communication [5:82].
"Be serious, Nazar Yakhshibayevich!" Shoymardonov
suddenly snapped. "The world is about to be flooded,
and I'm deliberately extending a helping hand so we
can get on the same boat."
"Is the captain still the same?" Yakhshiboyev asked
dismissively. "Or have you already managed to set your
sights on someone else's backside to put on a platter?"
"The captain is the same, but the ship is lost, Nazar
Yakhshibayev!"
The above excerpt depicts a telephone conversation
between two nationally important figures. Even
telephone conversations have their own rules, and
while the interlocutors are discussing topics of state
importance and high-ranking officials, they avoid
openly mentioning the politician's name and use the
word "darga" instead. This word actually means "ship's
captain," and in a figurative sense, it is used to mean
leader, guide, or chief. The ship is used metaphorically
to represent the country under his control, implying
that if the world is flooded - if politics change and
power shifts - let's remain like-minded and not become
enemies to each other.
Sometimes, even matters of national importance are
not expressed directly in the speech of famous people
due to the demands of the times, as well as the fear of
being misunderstood by others or damaging their
reputation in society.
–
"There's practically no creativity..."
"Then write memoirs, you know... like a memoir..."
"I'm afraid to write memoirs. We have witnessed many
events in our lives; can we really write about all of
them?"
"Well, well! You're reproaching me again, my friend!..
Write, Comrade Yakhshibayev, and if necessary, we will
make the required corrections ourselves."
The above is a conversation between two high-ranking
individuals, and by saying "We have witnessed many
events in our lives," the speaker is actually trying to
ironically convey the thought, "I know many secrets; if
I reveal them, wouldn't it be harmful to you?"
In response, a statement from an even higher-ranking
official saying, "If necessary, we will make the required
adjustments ourselves," essentially means, "Not
everything you write will be published without my
permission and directives; nothing related to politics or
my affairs will be printed without my oversight." The
use of euphemisms in works due to political and
ideological needs began to flourish more in journalistic
style, and later in the works of creative writers as well.
While the basis for using euphemisms varies, in this
section we focused only on the types used for speech
etiquette and political-ideological requirements.
Euphemisms used in the speech process, taking into
account the social status of the speaker and listener,
are more often created based on the aforementioned
requirements. The use of appropriate euphemisms
during conversation depends on the speaker's
worldview, culture, and skill in word usage.
REFERENCES
Budagov R.A. Introduction to the Science of Language.
- Moscow: Indrik, 2003. - p.136
Gulyamova Sh.K. Gender Characteristics of Uzbek
Language Euphemisms. Philological Sciences, Doctor of
Philosophy (PhD) dissertation. - Bukhara, 2020. - 149 p.
Ismatullayev N. Euphemisms in modern Uzbek
language: Abstract of Candidate's dissertation in
Philological Sciences. - Tashkent, 1963. - p.19.
Kadirova Kh.B. Abdulla Kadiri's mastery in using
euphemisms
and
dysphemisms.
Abstract
of
Candidate's dissertation in Philological Sciences. -
Tashkent, 2012. - p.152. - P.152.
Krysin L.P. Euphemistic methods of expression in
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Moscow, 1994. - No. 5. - pp. 76-82.
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
Mahmudov N. Language. - Tashkent: Writer, 1998. - 40
p.
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