Usage of euphemisms with the function of political correctness in publicistic articles (on the English language material)

Euphemia that enables to substitute taboo words with adequate accuracy is one of the main instruments of the up-to-date politically correct behaviour. In this article the usage of euphemisms that observe political correctness is studied. The basis for the article analysis were the euphemisms selected from American and British publicistic articles. Euphemisms both usual and occasional ones are considered in the article from the linguoculturological perspective. As a result of the investigation, the total of 467 politically correct euphemisms were detected, which forms 1,5% of all word usages, and also 144 units of the still-in-use politically incorrect lexical units were detected that can be substituted by corresponding existent euphemisms. The author selected the following main criterion for euphemism detection: denotative correlation is the common indication of a euphemism and a direct naming unit, and indirect nature of nomination and positive connotation or neutral characteristics distinguish a euphemism from a direct naming unit, which in this case has a negative connotation. It appears reasonable to divide the whole modern euphemistic vocabulary of the English language into two layers - static and dynamic. The static, or fixed, layer includes the lexical elements connected with the following euphemistic spheres: preternatural powers, death, diseases, human body and its separate parts, physiology, pregnancy, gender relations; the dynamic, or mobile, layer includes the lexical naming units that started to fulfill the euphemistic function in connection with the establishment of political correctness. Such euphemistic processes covered almost all the spheres of society's life, having formed herewith corresponding euphemistic types. Politically correct euphemisms divide into the following most widely spread types, and, correspondingly, subtypes: euphemisms connected with the naming of physical and mental disorders (physical disorders, mental disorders, age, appearance); gender euphemisms (gender, sex minorities); ethnic euphemisms (race, nationality); social euphemisms (financial status, second-rate professions, morality, military activities, economy, ecology, religion); commercial euphemisms. The research has shown that the most widely spread formation means of euphemisms are the following: periphrases, reinterpretation, word composition and word blending, affixation, and transfer of meaning. However, combined formation means of politically correct euphemisms also occur. The author also lists the most common usage features of euphemisms in the English language with the focus on quantitative data. Despite the fact that euphemisms account for only 1,5 % of the whole volume of the analysed material, the English language is supposed to be influenced by them and will continue to be influenced, as the big thematic variety of politically correct euphemisms indicates their constantly growing social importance and their ability to reflect changes in the interpretation of a particular social phenomenon and to give it a new mental and ethic assessment.

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