CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ISSN: 2767-3758)
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28
VOLUME:
Vol.06 Issue04 2025
10.37547/philological-crjps-06-04-07
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Euphemism as A Stylistic Device in Politically Correct
Communication
A. L. Mamatkulov
Professor at Kokand university Andijan branch, Uzbekistan
Received:
28 February 2025
Accepted:
29 March 2025
Published:
30 April 2025
INTRODUCTION
By euphemism, we understand the replacement of harsh
expressions with softer ones, or the substitution of
prohibited terms with permissible ones. Since this changes
not the meaning of the statement but only its form, the
replacement of a harsh expression with a softened one
naturally affects the overall stylistic tone of the speech.
When studying euphemisms, it is crucial to highlight the
main aspects of this concept.
First, the most distinctive feature of euphemism is its
ameliorative nature. Euphemism represents one type of
ameliorative substitute. In this work, «ameliorative
substitution» is understood as «the replacement of one
linguistic sign with another to create an ameliorative
effect» [1].
In linguistics, the concept of substitution is interpreted in
various ways. Two main approaches can be identified in
the study of ameliorative substitution from a synchronic
perspective:
1. O. S. Akhmanova and E. S. Gritsenko adhere to a
semantic interpretation, according to which ameliorative
words are considered lexemes that have components of
positive evaluation in their semantic structure or possess
positive expressive-emotional-evaluative meanings.
2. The second interpretation is developed in the works of
V. D. Devkin and V. I. Shuvalov.
V. D. Devkin defines amelioration as «exaggeration» and
sees its mechanism as the relationship between at least two
lexemes, with a specific reference point. V. I. Shuvalov
understands amelioration as the process of replacing one
linguistic sign with another, which has more explicitly
positive connotations. This concept is based, first, on the
recognition of the substitutional nature of amelioration
and, second, on the recognition of the leading role of
pragmatic factors (specific goals and typical life situations)
in the process of amelioration.
METHODS
Thus, both approaches do not contradict but rather
complement and enrich each other, shedding light on the
phenomenon of amelioration from two perspectives: from
the point of view of semantics (the internal aspect) and
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the qualitative characteristics of euphemisms and their role in creating politically correct language. It
examines euphemisms as a stylistic tool that softens or masks negative connotations through various linguistic mechanisms, su ch
as periphrasis, hypernyms, litotes, and abbreviations. The study emphasizes the impact of temporal, social, and national factors
on the evolution and usage of euphemisms. Additionally, it highlights how political correctness leverages euphemistic strateg ies
to frame information in a more neutral and socially acceptable manner.
Keywords:
Euphemism, politically correct language, periphrasis, hyperonyms, litotes, language substitution.
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ISSN: 2767-3758)
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pragmatics (the external aspect). Thus, both approaches do
not contradict but mutually complement and enrich each
other, shedding light on the phenomenon of amelioration
from two perspectives: from the standpoint of semantics
(the internal aspect) and pragmatics (the external aspect).
In our study, preference is given to the pragmatic approach
to studying the issue of amelioration. Since the choice of
an ameliorative substitute depends primarily on the
communicative-pragmatic intentions of the speaker, it
becomes possible to distinguish between two types of
amelioration:
1. Personal amelioration, when the speaker wants to make
a favorable impression on the listener, presenting
themselves as polite, well-mannered, and benevolent.
2. Social amelioration, when the speaker conforms to a
social taboo that exists in society regarding certain aspects
of human life.
In euphemisms, social factors predominate, with societal
laws governing their usage. The degree of undesirability of
using direct terms can vary from higher to lower depending
on the context.
Ameliorative substitutes are used in all functional styles of
modern French, but their use in different styles is oriented
towards fulfilling various functions (communication,
information, influence). A speaker may strive to use
euphemisms in communication (the communicative
function, according to V. V. Vinogradov, is realized in
everyday colloquial style), in information delivery (in
business, official-documentary, and scientific styles), and
in performing the function of influence (in literary and
journalistic styles). The role of euphemisms is particularly
significant
when
performing
the
functions
of
communication and influence (mass media, journalism,
politically correct ways of presenting information) [2].
When describing the qualitative characteristics of
euphemisms, it is essential to consider the temporal, social,
and national factors that influence the diversity of
euphemisms in a language.
The temporal factor in euphemism: Euphemisms are
particularly sensitive to changes in cultural norms, human
relationships,
and
moral
evaluations
of
societal
phenomena. What may be considered a euphemism at one
stage of societal development ceases to be so at another,
becoming a term that, from the perspective of most
speakers, names the object too directly. In other words, it
becomes a «politically incorrect» word. If we examine
euphemistic replacements from a diachronic perspective,
we can see that the «euphemistic effect» gradually fades;
euphemisms, over time, lose their euphemistic or
politically correct force. For example, the word
«handicapé» was once a euphemistic replacement for a
disabled person (instead of «un infirme, un invalide»), but
now it is being replaced in the media by a softer term, «une
personne à mobilité réduite» (a person with reduced
mobility).
The social factor is also significant. What is perceived as a
euphemism in one environment may receive different
evaluations in another. The use of euphemisms also
depends on the context and speech conditions—when
communicating with friends, we control our speech less
than when speaking in the company of colleagues or people
of a different age or social level.
The national factor also plays an important role in the
process of euphemism. Euphemistic patterns in different
languages depend on specific national realities related to
culture, history, and national character traits. In other
words, the objects subject to taboo vary across different
national cultures.
In this regard, V. T. Klokov's findings are particularly
interesting [3]. He studied the issue of euphemism in the
African variant of the French language. «The researcher
notes that in this variant of French, there are relatively few
euphemistic replacements related to the concept of fear,
while in areas like corruption, linguistic taboos are much
more active than in metropolitan French. For instance, the
word «un avocat» (avocado) or «un sac de ciment» (a bag
of cement) is used to refer to a bribe.»
V. T. Klokov concludes that depending on the national
characteristics of a given country, specific rules of speech
communication and euphemistic stereotypes develop.
Thus, we have concluded that euphemisms are a stylistic
device that forms the basis of the politically correct way of
conveying information, with the phenomenon of «political
correctness» being something new applied to a long-
existing practice. Almost all tools used to create a
politically
correct
effect
possess
euphemistic
(ameliorative) qualities. Euphemistic functions are
performed by the following:
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1. Periphrastic expressions, which replace direct
«incorrect» designations.
Politically correct periphrases fulfill an euphemistic
function by replacing «too direct» terms, thus conveying
negative information in a «veiled» manner. The
euphemistic power of such periphrases lies in their indirect,
descriptive designation of objects and phenomena. Each
component of politically correct periphrases carries one
lexical element of the concept’s meaning, which allows
negative information to be downplayed or «dissolved» in
the new expression. For example, to describe a dwarf,
instead of «nain», the politically correct periphrase «une
personne de petite taille» («a person of short stature») is
used, and for a homeless person, instead of «clochard», the
construction «un sans domicile fixe» («a person without a
fixed residence») can be employed.
Furthermore, according to F. Vandel, periphrastic
expressions not only serve to confuse or unsettle the
listener with vague or unusual terms but also highlight the
speaker’s «education,» thereby raising their status [4]. For
instance, instead of referring to problematic suburban areas
as «des banlieues pourries» («rotten suburbs»), one can use
the periphrase «des quartiers sensibles» («sensitive
neighborhoods»), and instead of pointing out syntactic or
grammatical mistakes in speech, one can refer to them
abstractly as «nouvelles tendances de la langue» («new
language trends»).
2. Hyperonyms, or words with a broader scope of meaning.
Analysis of periphrastic expressions has shown that a
significant portion of them includes hyperonyms. The use
of hyperonyms (both within expressions and independently
as separate lexemes) as replacements for direct
designations is one of the common ways to form politically
correct vocabulary in modern French. A hyperonym is a
word with a broader scope of meaning, also known as a
word with «diffuse» semantics, representing generic
concepts. In hyperonyms, the removal of negative
connotations is possible due to the excessive number of
semantic elements, among which the «dangerous»
(«undesirable,» «substituted») element is lost or dissolved,
thus ensuring the politically correct function.
For example, the adjective «pauvre» (poor) is considered
politically incorrect and demeaning, which leads to the
appearance
of
hyperonymic
replacements
like
«défavorisé» (disadvantaged) or «une personne en
difficulté» (a person in difficulty).
3. Litotes:
Litotes is a form of amelioration by substituting a word
through negation of the opposite meaning, replacing the
«undesirable» form with a «desirable» one, where the
negation is explicitly marked. The softening mechanism
employed through the use of hyperonyms and litotes lies in
the significant discrepancy between the term and its
denotatum. Negative connotations are thus leveled, erased,
or obscured. This creates a stylistic effect of restrained
expression, avoiding categoricity, which fulfills the main
requirement of politically correct speech—addressing the
issue in a soft, veiled form to hide the negative components
of the meaning of the concept being represented. Due to
the prevalence of this stylistic device in the creation of
politically correct expressions, many French linguists refer
to the politically correct style as «litotomania.»
We identified the following formal markers of politically
correct litotes:
The use of double adverbs such as «pas très» (not very) and
«ne plus» (no longer), which deliberately downplay the
property of the object:
- «Elle n'est pas très belle» (She is not very beautiful) – to
describe an ugly woman (instead of «ugly»).
- «Je n'ai plus 20 ans» (I’m no longer 20) – to indirectly
indicate a person's advanced age (instead of «old»).
4. Special and scientific terms that give a «scientific»
appearance to politically correct communication:
One of the postulates of political correctness can be
phrased as «Faites docte!» («Speak like a scholar!») [5].
Speaking scientifically helps you avoid using terms that are
uncomfortable for you for one reason or another. F. Vandel
also notes this in his book «Le Dico Français/Français»:
«The more scientific terms we use, the less likely we are to
be contradicted. The appearance of competence silences
people.» The qualities of terms, such as the absence of
expression and stylistic neutrality, contribute to the
widespread use of terms to replace politically incorrect
vocabulary with politically correct alternatives [6].
Here's an example: The word «calvité» (baldness)
evokes negative associations, so it can be replaced by the
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politically correct equivalent—namely, the medical term
«alopécie androgénétique» (from Latin «Alopecia», Greek
«Alopekia»)—»baldness caused by a deficiency of the
male hormone androgen.»
5. Abbreviations, truncations, and borrowings:
In abbreviations, the negative component of the message
is not expressed at all, which helps achieve the politically
correct effect, that is, the softening or «masking» of the
essence of the phenomenon. In modern French, several
types of abbreviations perform a politically correct
function:
- Words formed by abbreviating phrases and read by the
alphabetical names of their initial letters (letter
abbreviation).
This type of abbreviation predominates in the French
language:
«Un SDF» /Es-de-ef/ – «sans domicile fixe» (homeless
person – a person without a fixed residence).
Abbreviations pronounced by the initial sounds of the
words in the phrase (phonetic abbreviation) can also serve
a politically correct substitutive function:
«Le SIDA» /sida/ – «syndrome immuno-déficitaire
acquis» (AIDS – acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Finally, a separate class of abbreviations can be
distinguished, called apocopes (from Greek «apokoptein»
– «to cut off»), which are words formed by truncating one
or more final syllables.
This type of abbreviation is considered the oldest and is
mainly found in colloquial speech and slang. However,
apocopes are now also appearing in politically correct
texts, such as:
«Un séronég» – «séronégatif» (formed in the same way as
«séropo»).
RESULTS
Borrowing refers to an element from a foreign language
(word, morpheme, syntactic construction, etc.) transferred
from one language to another as a result of linguistic
contact. It also refers to the process of transferring
elements from one language to another. Usually, words are
borrowed, and less frequently, syntactic and phraseological
constructions. Borrowing of sounds and word-formation
morphemes from other languages occurs as a result of their
secondary extraction from a large number of borrowed
words.
Based on the practical linguistic material at our disposal, it
has been possible to identify linguistic mechanisms
functioning within the framework of «politically correct
representation of reality.»
CONCLUSION
Thus, to soften negative information in the designation of
a particular concept in a politically correct manner, the
primary
tools
used
are
periphrastic
expressions,
hyperonyms, special and scientific terms, abbreviations,
truncations, and borrowings.
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