GENDER CHARACTERISTICS OF ENGLISH EUPHEMISMS: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15628809Keywords:
euphemisms, gender linguistics, sociolinguistics, politeness theory, language variation, English languageAbstract
This study examines the gender-specific characteristics of euphemisms in contemporary English, exploring how linguistic politeness strategies vary between male and female speakers. Through a corpus-based analysis of 500 euphemistic expressions collected from various sources including media, literature, and recorded conversations, this research investigates the relationship between gender and euphemistic language use. The findings reveal significant differences in euphemism selection, frequency of use, and semantic domains between male and female speakers. Women tend to employ euphemisms more frequently, particularly in areas related to bodily functions, sexuality, and emotional states, while men show preference for euphemisms in professional and aggressive contexts. These patterns reflect broader sociolinguistic tendencies regarding gender roles, politeness norms, and social expectations. The study contributes to understanding how gender influences linguistic choices and the role of euphemisms in maintaining social harmony while expressing potentially face-threatening concepts.
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