Typology of euphemisms characterise specific classes and social groups (in French journalism)

Abstract

The article analyses the use of euphemisms in the language of modern French journalism. French newspapers aimed at a general readership were used as the primary materials for the study. The analysis identifies seven types of euphemisms that relate to specific classes and social groups in the population, based on indicators such as social standing, age, race and ethnicity, physical and mental deficiencies, legal problems, and individuals outside stable social structures. Each type of euphemism has its unique characteristics and is presented through lexical units, phrases with and without prepositions, phraseological turns, compound words, telescoped units, descriptive phrases, euphemisms related to age, euphemisms based on the adverb “mal” or phrases containing the words: “maladie” – “disease”, “malade” – “sick”, “mental” – “mental, spiritual, mental” or the adjective “handicap”, terms denoting diseases, and euphemisms united by “sans” meaning “without”. This study expands on existing knowledge of the use of euphemisms in the language of French mass media and their association with specific classes and social groups.