THE LINGUISTIC NATURE OF EUPHEMISMS ; ЛІНГВІСТИЧНА ПРИРОДА ЕВФЕМІЗМІВ
The present research is devoted to the study of euphemy and euphemisms. Nowadays, the phenomenon of euphemy is drawing linguists' attention more frequently. They study it within frames of functional and semantic, pragmatic, stylistic, gender, discourse and many other linguistic approaches. As a rule, euphemisms are understood as emotionally neutral words / expressions that are used instead of synonymic words / expressions that are regarded as inappropriate, rude, offensive or tactless. Special attention is paid to the fact that euphemisms are aimed at achieving deliberate mitigating effect. According to this, it is considered that euphemisms do not belong to certain lexico-semantic group of words, rather they are referred to certain stylistic result which is achieved when a "stronger" expression gives way to a weaker one. Besides mitigating, euphemisms realize a row of other pragmatic functions to which we refer the following ones: politeness function, taboo function, veil function, etiquette function. Politeness function is based on the maxims of tact and modesty (according to P. Grice). It is implemented in situations when euphemisms substitute rude offensive words. Taboo function is realized when death, severe disease, indecent issues are talked about. In such a case, words / expressions that replace indecent or unwanted phenomena / notions are conventionally called taboo deixis. Veil function is aimed at concealing "true essence of the degnified". As a rule, euphemisms realize this function in political sphere. As for etiquette function, euphemisms implement it when the speaker avoid direct nominations of non-prestigious professions, low social status of a person, vicious habits, racial or national problems. As far as it concerns classifications of euphemisms, the criterionof usage frequency allows to single out generally-used and occasional. According to the thematic criterion, euphemisms are divided into four groups: the ones that denote physiological process and states; the ones that nominate certain ...