Surname 1 Name Lecturer Course Date Euphemism in Political Speech Communication is not only a matter of exchanging talks but also a matter of being polite and knowing how to send the message without affecting the face of the interlocutor. In the course of communication, speakers often face cognitive dissonance inducing situations in which there is need to choose between referring to something directly or relieving someone of some responsibility by sacrificing semantic transparency and letting hearers infer the true meaning. The very existence of sharp straightforward words that may inspire fear of supernatural forces such as death will automatically trigger a quest for euphemism. Examples are alternatives that do not arouse abomination, revulsion or dread. Euphemisms are used when one wants to name things without calling up a mental picture of them. The aim is to strike at a person’s imagination. Euphemisms do not form complete pictures in the mind, nor do they completely define an event or object. Without a complete definition, the ability to understand the true meaning of a statement is obscured. Therefore, sometimes using euphemisms is a good way of deceiving people and not telling the truth (Cumhuk 45-46). A euphemism could be described as a polite expression that is used in place of phrases or words that are considered unpleasant or harsh to hear. Individuals use euphemisms regularly, and there are several examples of those in everyday language use (Risher 52). The next time you have a conversation with someone and they say something that totally has a different meaning than its literal meaning, consider that statement a euphemism. This is because the individual is avoiding using less-pleasing, less-polite or phrasing. In some cases, euphemisms are intentionally less pleasant or a grosser way of saying something. Such happens when individuals are being sarcastic or trying to make fun of a serious subject. Examples of such euphemisms include using the expression ‘making whoopee’ instead of sex, ‘blowing chunks’ instead of vomiting, ‘hiding the sausage’ instead of having sex and ‘kicking the bucket’ instead of dying (Chen 28). Other euphemisms that are aimed at making expressions more polite include ‘biting the dust’ instead of dying, the use of the expression ‘cement shoes’ when referring to the dead and using the expression ‘batting for the other side when referring to homosexuals. Individuals also use euphemisms to make an unpleasant or blunt truth seem less harsh. Examples of phrases that fall under this category include ‘departed’ and ‘passed away’ instead of died, ‘correctional facility’ when referring to jail and referring to the handicapped or disabled as differently-abled. Other individuals used to soften expressions also include using the phrase ‘negative patient outcome’ when referring to a dead patient, referring to a prison camp as a ‘relocation center’ and using the phrase ‘collatera ...

1. Surname 1
Name
Lecturer
Course
Date
Euphemism in Political Speech
Communication is not only a matter of exchanging talks but also
a matter of being polite and knowing how to send the message
without affecting the face of the interlocutor. In the course of
communication, speakers often face cognitive dissonance
inducing situations in which there is need to choose between
referring to something directly or relieving someone of some
responsibility by sacrificing semantic transparency and letting
hearers infer the true meaning. The very existence of sharp
straightforward words that may inspire fear of supernatural
forces such as death will automatically trigger a quest for
euphemism. Examples are alternatives that do not arouse
abomination, revulsion or dread. Euphemisms are used when
one wants to name things without calling up a mental picture of
them. The aim is to strike at a person’s imagination.
Euphemisms do not form complete pictures in the mind, nor do
they completely define an event or object. Without a complete
definition, the ability to understand the true meaning of a
statement is obscured. Therefore, sometimes using euphemisms
is a good way of deceiving people and not telling the truth
(Cumhuk 45-46).
A euphemism could be described as a polite expression that is
used in place of phrases or words that are considered unpleasant
or harsh to hear. Individuals use euphemisms regularly, and
there are several examples of those in everyday language use
(Risher 52). The next time you have a conversation with
someone and they say something that totally has a different
meaning than its literal meaning, consider that statement a
euphemism. This is because the individual is avoiding using

2. less-pleasing, less-polite or phrasing. In some cases,
euphemisms are intentionally less pleasant or a grosser way of
saying something.
Such happens when individuals are being sarcastic or trying to
make fun of a serious subject. Examples of such euphemisms
include using the expression ‘making whoopee’ instead of sex,
‘blowing chunks’ instead of vomiting, ‘hiding the sausage’
instead of having sex and ‘kicking the bucket’ instead of dying
(Chen 28). Other euphemisms that are aimed at making
expressions more polite include ‘biting the dust’ instead of
dying, the use of the expression ‘cement shoes’ when referring
to the dead and using the expression ‘batting for the other side
when referring to homosexuals. Individuals also use
euphemisms to make an unpleasant or blunt truth seem less
harsh.
Examples of phrases that fall under this category include
‘departed’ and ‘passed away’ instead of died, ‘correctional
facility’ when referring to jail and referring to the handicapped
or disabled as differently-abled. Other individuals used to
soften expressions also include using the phrase ‘negative
patient outcome’ when referring to a dead patient, referring to a
prison camp as a ‘relocation center’ and using the phrase
‘collateral damage’ when referring to accidental deaths.
Employers could also use the phrase ‘letting of someone’
instead of firing them, medical practitioners use the phrase
‘putting to sleep’ instead of euthanize to soften the expression.
Most people consider the words or phrases the euphemisms
stand for as unpleasant to hear or harsh. Euphemisms have been
used for a long time to cover up harsh truths and help speakers
be more polite. It is also important to note that euphemistic
expressions also affect how the audience understands and
perceives the message. Various political speeches have been
interpreted by taking into consideration their pragmatic
perspectives such as politeness principles. Speakers and
members of the audience should understand that communication
does not just refer to the way in which individuals exchange

3. talks. Communication involves being polite and being aware of
methods of sending messages without negatively impacting the
interpretation of the message (McGlone 33).
Using euphemistic expressions is playing an important role in
political speeches. In the course of various forms of
communication and human speech interactions, speakers are
often faced with negative dissonance that is evident when they
are forced to make a choice between reliving the responsibility
that comes with inferring the true meaning or refer to something
directly. The use of very sharp and straightforward words has
been known to inspire the fear of supernatural forces in the
audience such as death will trigger the automatic use of a
euphemistic expression. An example of this is what British
Prime minister said about those who felt that his political
campaign had far been hopeless.
It is important to use euphemisms so as to minimize
abomination of the subject, revulsion or dread. Speakers use
euphemisms when they want to name things without necessarily
creating an exact mental picture of them. The aim of
euphemistic expressions in political speeches and life, in
general, is to strike people’s imagination (McGlone 33).
However, it should be noted that euphemisms do not form
complete mental images in the minds of the audience. They also
do not completely define events or subjects. Euphemisms also
obscure the formation of a complete meaning of a statement. An
example of this is President Obama’s speech about the
withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, has said “that policy-
by-slogan will no longer pass as an acceptable form of debate in
this country. “Mission accomplished,” “cut and run,” “stay the
course” the American people have determined that all these
phrases have become meaningless in the face of a conflict that
grows more deadly and chaotic with each passing day.
Using euphemisms in political speeches is an effective way of
deceiving people and telling the truth in a more polite manner.
Euphemisms are also used in political speeches to powerful
linguistic features that are geared towards smoothening

4. communication and preserving interpersonal relationships in
polite encounters. Due to this, euphemism has been undoubtedly
considered a faithful linguistic politeness indicator in political
speeches. Indirectness in speech has been considered as an ideal
behavior that is used to mitigate conflictive situations. It could
also be most applicable in ensuring there is a mutual protection
of individuals. An Example of this is former President Bill
Clinton who had been far from unencumbered by scandal - not
least when he attempted to redefine "sexual relations". But
perhaps his greatest linguistic legacy came during his campaign
for the presidency when he admitted he had smoked marijuana
but "didn't inhale" (Jon).
Euphemistic expressions have been deeply embedded in our
language that it is almost impossible to get through a day
without applying them in conversation and other forms of
communication. It is important that political speakers choose
expressions and words appropriately so as to avoid sugar
coating ideas or naming things directly (Ham 78). This is
because various contexts demand different vocabularies in
addressing of sensitive societal issues. In some political
speeches, the use of euphemisms is aimed at achieving the
humor function. An example of this is Hillary Clinton when she
claimed to have been pinned down by sniper fire while on a trip
to Bosnia. When video footage suggested otherwise, she went in
front of the cameras and admitted: "I did mis-speak the other
day."At the time, lexicographer Tony Thorne predicted in the
Magazine that in future the term "will probably only be used
ironically or mockingly". It had, however, previously been used
by Republican candidate John McCain and the staffs of
Presidents George W Bush and Ronald Reagan (Jon).
Speakers should use jocular euphemistic expressions to help the
audience face facts more easily. Politicians use euphemisms to
save their faces and avoid deforming their reputation. Using
euphemisms expresses same meanings of words but in many
different ways as their effects are entirely different. This is
what is referred to as the art of speaking. Applying euphemistic

5. expressions make life more colorful. Political speakers also use
euphemisms to induce function. Speakers use various
euphemistic expressions to make their statements more
persuasive. The various cosmetic phrases have special
communicative functions that are referred to as inducing
functions (Enright 42). Another importance of using
euphemistic expressions is to cover-up and withholding
information. An example of this is President Obama, in his
speech about his war in Iraq he has said, “I would like to talk to
you about the end of our combat mission, the ongoing security
challenges we face, and the need to rebuild our nation here at
home. By doing so, he uses a vague euphemism to justify for the
war in Iraq claiming that it was a mission and he was chosen to
accomplish it.
The birth of euphemism can be traced back to the Western
political life. Some news media and politicians have made
efficient use of the vagueness that euphemism provides to cover
up various facts that are aimed at making the economy, politics
and military reporting are steadier. In political speeches, the
polite function of euphemisms is achieved at by avoiding
inelegant things and making people feel more pleasant.
Speakers prefer to use vagueness in euphemisms to avoid
hurting people’s feelings or making offenses. An example of
this is President Obama, in one of his speeches, tries to justify
for America’s interference in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has said
“they knew our power grows through its prudent use; our
security emanates from the justness of our cause… we are the
keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more,
we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort-
even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.
We will begin reasonably leave Iraq to its people, and forge a
hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.” As we can see, president
Obama has used a vague euphemism to point out the danger of
Al-Qaeda and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Making speeches is an integral part of politicians’ roles in
persuading people to agree with various policies. We can see

6. that the analysis of political speeches has identified a strong
emphasis of the importance of euphemism. The various
euphemistic expressions used in political speeches are aimed at
maximizing benefits to both parties and minimizing any
occurrence of dispraise of either party. To achieve this,
speakers should appropriately use various maxims that are
present in euphemistic expressions. Political speakers are not
intended at affecting the receivers negatively but positively
(Chen 28). Political speakers apply various euphemistic
expressions because of the evolving changes in the political
reforms. Politicians control most of the country’s political
activities. This explains why it is important for the speakers to
reform their traditional and conventional language. Perfecting
their public speaking language is an effective way of arousing
the public’s interest the political affairs of their country. People
should understand that the appropriate use of euphemistic
expressions in political gatherings can be of great help to the
politicians as they will be in a better position to fulfill their
tasks and meet various demands of the political system
(Cumhuk, 48).
Works Cited
Al-Shunaq, A.-H. (2011). ‘Arabic Death Discourse in
Translation: Euphemism and Metaphorical
Conceptualization.'. Across Languages and Cultures , 19-
22.
Chen, D. (2009). Euphemism in Jordanian Political Discourse: a
Pragmatic and Translational Perspective. International Journal
of Communication , 27-29.
Cumhuk, E. (2010). On Pragmatic Strategies for Avoidance of
Explicitness in Language. . Asian Social Science , 45-46.
Enright, D. (2011). Fair of speech: The uses of euphemism.
Family Practice , 41-43.
Ham, L. (2010). The Linguistics of Euphemism: a Diachronic
Study of Euphemism . Journal of Language and Linguistics ,

7. 78-79.
Jon Kelly (2013 May 15) The 10 most scandalous euphemisms.
Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-
22470691
McGlone, G. (2011). The interplay of truth and deception: New
agendas in theory and research. American Journal of
Sociology , 32-33.
Risher, T. (2012). Swearing, euphemisms, and linguistic
relativity. Compensation and Benefits Review , 52-53.