Euphemism
What is Euphemism?
A euphemism is a polite expression used in
place of words or phrases that otherwise might be considered harsh or unpleasant
to hear. Euphemisms are used regularly, and there are many examples in every
day language.
1.
the
substitution of a milder, vaguer word or expression for one considered to be
offensive or unpleasant.
2.
The word or
expression so substituted.
"Put to
sleep" is a euphemism
for "kill".
A euphemism is a polite or mild word or expression used to refer
to something embarrassing, taboo, or unpleasant. Euphemisms are especially
common in reference to bodily functions and illegal behavior, and to substitute
for curse words.
Euphemism is an idiomatic expression which loses its literal
meanings and refers to something else in order to hide its unpleasantness. For
example, “kick the bucket” is a euphemism that describes the death of a
person.
Euphemism itu merupakan salah satu dari figure of speech (majas
atau gaya bahasa). Bahasa Indonesian yaitu adalah eufimisme.
Euphemism itu adalah penghalusansuatu kata yang dianggap offensive,
tabu, atau sensitive untuk dikatakan.
7 Types of Euphemism
Euphemisms, words or phrases that
substitute for provocative or emotionally charged terms, are employed for
various reasons:
1. Abstraction:
Some euphemisms serve to distance people from unpleasant or embarrassing
truths, as when we say that a dead person passed away or a celebrity who has
canceled an appearance is suffering from exhaustion.
2. Indirection:
A euphemism may replace an explicit description of an action, as when people
speak of going to the bathroom or of others sleeping together.
3. Litotes:
Sometimes, euphemism occurs in the form of this rhetorical device in which the
gravity or force of an idea is softened or minimized by a double negative, as
in the reference to someone as being not unattractive.
4. Mispronunciation:
Alteration of pronunciation is a form of euphemism, as when we say frigging
or shoot, or jeez or cripes, so as not to offend people by
using profanity (figurative or literal). These types of euphemisms, involving
rhyme, alliteration, or shortening, are also called minced oaths.
5. Modification:
A bluntly offensive noun can be transformed into a euphemism by converting it
to an adjective, as in saying someone has socialist leanings rather than
labeling them a socialist outright.
6. Personification:
One form of euphemism is when things that some people prefer not to mention
candidly, such as genitals, are assigned personal names.
7. Slang: Much
of slang, derived to produce a vocabulary exclusive to a social group, is
euphemism, as in the use of joint for marijuana (itself a slang
term, derived from the Spanish names Mary and Juana — closely related to “Mary
Jane,” yet another euphemism).
Function
of Euphemism
Euphemism helps writers to convey those ideas which have become a social
taboo and are too embarrassing to mention directly. Writers skillfully choose
appropriate words to refer to and discuss a subject indirectly which otherwise
are not published due to strict social censorship e.g. religious fanaticism,
political theories, sexuality, death etc. Thus, euphemism is a useful tool that
allows writers to write figuratively about the libelous issues.
Tujuannya bisa
macam-macam, contohnya:
1. Memakai euphemism
untuk bersikap sopan:
A: "You
are between jobs now." [A: kamu lagi menganggur sekarang.)
Si A memakai "between
jobs" untuk menggantikan kata "unemployed". Dalam
kasus ini, mengganggur bukanhal yang tabu, offensive, atau direndahkan,
tetapi untuk beberapa orang ini bias menjadi isu yang sensitif.
Mungkin si A
mau mengucapkannya lebih halus untuk tidak menyinggung lawan bicaranya.
2. Memakai euphemism
untuk hiasan supaya bahasanya lebih 'tinggi':
"Don't expectorate
in the sinks." [Jangan meludah di wastafel.]
Kata "expectorate"
di sini sebenarnya sama saja kayak our common word "spit".
Kita menggunakan kata "expectorate" untuk hiasan saja,
soalnya bahasanya terkesan lebih 'tinggi' gitu.
Euphemism tipe bahasa 'tinggi' ini dinamakan "genteelism".
Hati-hati menggunakan genteelism secara berlebihan karena membuat bahasa
kita terlalu dibuat-buat dan terlalu verbose (verbose = menggunakan
bahasa terlalu berlebihan dari yang dibutuhkan).
3. Memakai euphemism
untuk menutupin makna aslinya yang super kotor (saking makna aslinya tidak
bias dibikin sopan):
"The army
has neutralized the people in that area." [Pasukan bersenjata telah
membunuh orang-orang di area tersebut.]
Di sini kita
memakai kata "neutralized" untuk menggantikan kata "murdered,
killed". Makna aslinya sudah tidak bisa lagi dibuat lebih sopan,
hasilnya diganti dengan kata yang lebih halus saja.
