An investigation of euphemism and dysphemism in American political discourse

Abstract

Politics cannot be separated from social life. The impression that the speaker makes during a speech is greatly influenced by the euphemism and dysphemism used in political discourse. The news media and a large number of people are trying to determine the truth of a political actor’s claim. Political actors themselves certainly have ways in which their words can influence their audience without disclosing the underlying reality. This is where the use of euphemisms and dysphemisms in political discourse becomes crucial in creating an accurate or subtle impression of the speaker during the speech. Euphemisms and dysphemisms are linguistic devices employed to shape public perception, convey specific messages, and influence political discourse. By examining these linguistic strategies in American presidents’ speeches, this study aims to explore the use of euphemistic and dysphemistic expressions and show the types and functions of them in American political discourse, especially by analyzing the political speeches in the last decade.