POLITICAL EUPHEMISMS IN MODERN GERMAN Cover Image

POLITISCHE EUPHEMISMEN IM HEUTIGEN DEUTSCH
POLITICAL EUPHEMISMS IN MODERN GERMAN

Author(s): Silvana Simoska
Subject(s): Theoretical Linguistics, Syntax, Lexis, Politics and communication, Philology, Phraseology
Published by: Filološki fakultet, Nikšić
Keywords: euphemisms; implications; function; political discourse; modern German;

Summary/Abstract: The concept of euphemism - which derives from Greek, involves the use of deliberately evasive or deceptive language. Euphemisms are nice-sounding words or phrases which are substituted for words thought to be harsh, crude or offensive. Political discourse is well-known to be a hotbed for euphemisms, since in this particular type of discourse the truth is not directly verbalized. Political euphemisms are used as an instrument of promoting certain policy measures, and are manipulated accordingly. For instance, by using vague and “loaded” language expressions the bitter, unpleasant content of the political message is modified and lessened. A case in point is the German proverb den Gürtel enger schnallen (Engl. to tighten one’s belt). If used in a political context, this figurative expression does not suggest immediate stringent saving measures, or even deprivation on the level of the individual, but rather an equal distribution of the unpopular frugal measures in times of economic crisis. The present study analyzes political euphemisms in Modern German and particularly focuses on their function and implications of their usage regarding current issues. The study demonstrates that Modern German is highly prone to political euphemistic encoding, the following categories in particular: syntactic phrases and sentences (mehr Eigenverantwortung übernehmen, Arbeitsgelegenheit mit Mehraufwandsentschädigung (‚Ein-Euro-Job‘), Wir schaffen das!), complex lexical items (Nullwachstum, Rettungspaket, Hartz IV-Empfänger (instead of ‚Arbeitslosengeld II-Empfänger‘), idioms (in einem Boot sitzen, Engl. We‘re all in the same boat), words for special purposes and foreign words (Integration instead of Eingliederung, Segregation instead of Abschottung, Minijob/ Midijob instead of geringfügige Arbeit, Rationalisierung instead of Abbau von Arbeitsplätzen) and acronyms (BASU 21 (‚besonders auffällige Straftäter unter 21 Jahren‘).

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 18/2
  • Page Range: 89-99
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: German