Meaning of Euphemism - Education and Transformation

See in these articles the meaning of euphemism, how to use, use in literary works and much more.

the euphemism is a figure of speech used to soften stronger expressions of a text. It is a resource used in language with pleasant and milder words to replace more shocking or aggressive words without, however, changing the content. Increasing diplomacy in social relations, which avoids sad, unpleasant issues that generate discord, bad words, etc.

To explain it in a way. less rigid the reality of some matters, such as death, for example. Euphemism. it is widely used and accepted on a daily basis in the social function, however, there are those who do not. agree with the euphemism in Politics and its use in intellectual debates.

To understand, abortion stops. some, it refers to voluntarily terminating the pregnancy, for others, the act. of murdering a helpless human being in the womb. Abortion = understatement. Euthanasia, another euphemism that overshadows action: death on demand.

So the euphemism is what?

The euphemism is used to. avoid:

• Matters. considered taboo, like sin, sex and drugs.
• Matters. unpleasant, such as human rights violations, bodily excretions, poverty, violence and others.
• Words. fouls, like slang and swear words.
• Matters. polemics such as religion, politics and football.
• Matters. sad, like separation, death or homesickness.
• Features. devalued by society, such as fat, age, and some disabilities.
• Words. that have a negative connotation.

In times of politically. correct, the euphemism is used as a way of not promoting negative attitudes too much. less encourage prejudice. The euphemism also helps not to hurt a. individual dignity of each human being while not distinguishing races, religions, etc.

Softer words impact listeners much less and smooth speech. These euphemistic expressions gain intonation with gestures and change in tone of voice, as well as the use of diminutive words and generic expressions.

Also see: Pleonasm.

Meaning of Euphemism according to the online dictionary of. Portuguese

According to the dictionary, euphemism is a masculine noun, and literally means:

Definition of euphemism:

Word, expression or idea, which softens the meaning of another, generally reducing its negative, rude charge. or vulgar: is living with God (to say that a person has died).

[By Extension] What is used. to soften, minimize the meaning of something: stop euphemisms e. tell the truth soon!

• Etymology. (Origin of the word euphemism). From the Greek euphemismos.
• Synonyms. of Euphemism: mitigation, moderation, attenuation
• Class. grammatical: masculine noun
• Separation. syllabic: i-fe-mis-mo
• Plural: euphemisms
• Antonym: Dysphemism

Examples of sentences using euphemisms:

• My aunt is colored. (instead of black)
• My mother is full. (instead of fat)
• That girl is devoid of beauty. (rather than. ugly)
• This lady helps me in managing the home. (instead of maid)
• Roberta is already a girl. (instead of menstruation)
• Peter is devoid of intelligence (instead of. dumb)

Euphemism and Dysphemism

While the person who uses euphemism goes around a lot to alleviate one. In the phrase, the individual who uses dysphemism employs nonsense full of terms. rude, mean, sarcastic, provocative, humiliating and pejorative.

The Greek word Dysphemia is the root of dysphemism and means bad words, ill omen, disgrace. Dysphemism, however, can mean a non-pejorative expression too, it all depends on the context of the conversation in question.

in addition to the meaning of euphemism, we also recommend that you get to know this other figure of speech: Personification.

Understatement on. literary works

As quoted above, euphemism refers to the figure of speech that. softens expressions. Manuel Bandeira was one of the poets he used in his verses. this kind of language when referring to complex and sad matters like a. death.

Read the following excerpt from the poem “Antologia”, by Manuel Bandeira:

"When. the unwanted of people arrive

Will find. plowed the field, the house cleaned,

THE. table set,

With. each thing in its place".

During the passage of the verses, it is implied that the author is referring to. death by using the euphemism “Unwanted by the people”. When it comes to. death, one of the most difficult topics to address, many expressions are used. to refer to her.

For example:

• join God
• became a little star
• Left this for the better
• wore a wooden jacket
• hit the boots
• gave the soul to God
• shortened the years
• Rested

All these expressions that soften the word death are called. euphemisms. Especially in conversation with children, many people use it. euphemisms to smooth out unpleasant conversations.

By way of example, when it is necessary to explain to a child of. Where babies come from, many parents use the expressions: “Dad planted one. little seed on mommy” and so on.

It is very common to substitute terms that shock, impact or. they surprise by softer, more delicate ones, which, even having the same meaning, have less impact on whoever is listening.

Look at other excerpts from books that contain this type of language. figured:

“And you did. this for twenty-three years (…) until one day you took the great plunge into. darkness (...)” (Machado de Assis)

In this sentence, Machado de Assis uses the term "diving into darkness" referring to humanity's greatest enemy, death.

"Before. such sadness, she prefers to lack the truth”.

Here, when the author says: “failing the truth” it is because he is if. referring to the lie. That kind of more condensed language, merged with. hints of truth and hints of softness so as not to shock the listener or the reader. in the case of works, it is called euphemism.

Euphemism e. the prejudice

Unfortunately, in a Brazil of the slavery era, many black people. have long been haunted by pejorative and unkind terms, which. they denigrated his image as an individual.

After the abolition of slavery, the black race still heard terms. pejorative about the color of your skin. Not to create a stigma and soften. some names, some euphemistic nomenclatures were used. For example: “brunette” or “people of color”.

However, this idea that it is necessary to use euphemism to refer to a black person is being opposed by many movements of black Brazilians, after all, it is not necessary to use milder terms to employ a race that is proud of its color and culture, which is so linked to the very beauty of the country of diversity.

See more at: Figures of speech.

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