Euphemism and

dysphemism
The sword and shield of language
Outline

Euphemism
Dysphemism
Types
Examples
Text analysis
 Euphemism

• an appropriate expression used in the place

of a phrase or words.
• commonly used in daily language and
literature.
• replace language that some may find
displeasing.
• a way to convey a message without risking
the chance of being barred to censorship.
 Types

• Abstraction
• Indirection
• Litotes
• Mispronunciation
• Modification
• slang
 Abstraction

Used to help people avoid confronting

uncomfortable or humiliating truths.
Example:
 Indirection

Used in place of an explicit description of

an action.
 Litotes

Sometimes, euphemism takes the form of

this rhetorical device.
the significance or intensity of a concept is
diminished or softened by the use of a
double negative
 Mispronunciation

the modification of pronunciation

to avoid offending people by using profanit
y (figurative or literal).
 Modification

subtle type of euphemism that changes a

harsh noun into a gentler adjective..
Modification is similar to litotes in that it
usually has the effect of creating a
somewhat ironic sense of understatement.
 Personification

Giving personal names to things that some

people prefer not to discuss openly.
 Slang

slang terms are euphemisms that are

created to create a vocabulary unique to a
social group.
 Dysphemism

• derived from the Greek language

• used to humiliate or degrade someone
or his character.
• used for negative expressions instead of
positive or neutral ones
• used for offensive expressions.
 Types

• Synecdoche
• Dysphemistic Epithets
• Euphemistic Dysphemism
• Dysphemistic Euphemism
• “IST” Dysphemism
• Homosexual Dysphemism
• Name Dysphemism
• Non verbal Dysphemism
• Cross-cultural Dysphemism
 Synecdoche

A figure of speech which is used to express

the whole thing
 Dysphemistic Epithets

A common type of dysphemism is using

animal names to define a person's character
traits.
 Euphemistic Dysphemism

This is when a soft expression is used

without offending.
 Dysphemistic Euphemism

It is used as a mockery between close

friends without any animosity.
 “IST” Dysphemism

Targeted at a particular ethnicity, when

someone uses derogatory terms to describe
certain ethnicity.
 Homosexual Dysphemism

These terms are used regarding

homosexuality like, “gay,” “faggot,” and
“queer”
 Name Dysphemism

It is used when someone is called by his

name, rather than by using his proper title
 Non Verbal Dysphemism

It is used when offending someone with

gestures.
Cross-Cultural Dysphemism

slang terms are used as dysphemistic in

one culture.
they might have a totally different meaning
in other cultures.