The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts

People are afraid, ashamed, and disgusted to use taboo terms in public. Euphemisms, on the other hand, are figurative speeches that exclude offensive words. The benefits of politeness are promoted. The current study attempts to provide a socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organ...

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Main Authors: Bamlaku Endegena Zegeye, Samuel Handamo Godisso, Endalew Assefa Temesegen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2231620
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author Bamlaku Endegena Zegeye
Samuel Handamo Godisso
Endalew Assefa Temesegen
author_facet Bamlaku Endegena Zegeye
Samuel Handamo Godisso
Endalew Assefa Temesegen
author_sort Bamlaku Endegena Zegeye
collection DOAJ
description People are afraid, ashamed, and disgusted to use taboo terms in public. Euphemisms, on the other hand, are figurative speeches that exclude offensive words. The benefits of politeness are promoted. The current study attempts to provide a socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts within the frameworks of politeness and relevance theories. This study will pique scholars’ interest in researching euphemisms used in other languages. Additionally, it will be useful for those learning Amharic as a second language or for those interested in Amhara culture, customs, and language. This study was carried out using the descriptive-qualitative method. The researchers utilized purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The information was gathered via semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and introspection. As a result, 57 research volunteers were purposefully used by the researchers in varied social contexts. The results imply that it is inappropriate to talk about sexual organs and sexual acts in public. In contrast, language users in the researched areas use euphemistic expressions. Along with this, native Amharic speakers in the examined areas use a range of euphemistic construction strategies, such as idioms, metaphors, understatement, overstatement, borrowing, metonymy, and circumlocution, to keep their composure, be polite, and show respect.
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spelling doaj-art-9eae1247e68743baa573a76ed484ede02025-08-20T02:36:38ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862023-12-019110.1080/23311886.2023.2231620The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual actsBamlaku Endegena Zegeye0Samuel Handamo Godisso1Endalew Assefa Temesegen2Applied Linguistics, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaLinguistics, Addis Ababa University, EthiopiaLinguistics, Addis Ababa University, EthiopiaPeople are afraid, ashamed, and disgusted to use taboo terms in public. Euphemisms, on the other hand, are figurative speeches that exclude offensive words. The benefits of politeness are promoted. The current study attempts to provide a socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts within the frameworks of politeness and relevance theories. This study will pique scholars’ interest in researching euphemisms used in other languages. Additionally, it will be useful for those learning Amharic as a second language or for those interested in Amhara culture, customs, and language. This study was carried out using the descriptive-qualitative method. The researchers utilized purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The information was gathered via semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and introspection. As a result, 57 research volunteers were purposefully used by the researchers in varied social contexts. The results imply that it is inappropriate to talk about sexual organs and sexual acts in public. In contrast, language users in the researched areas use euphemistic expressions. Along with this, native Amharic speakers in the examined areas use a range of euphemistic construction strategies, such as idioms, metaphors, understatement, overstatement, borrowing, metonymy, and circumlocution, to keep their composure, be polite, and show respect.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2231620amharic euphemismseuphemismseuphemistic strategiesfacesocio-pragmaticssexual acts
spellingShingle Bamlaku Endegena Zegeye
Samuel Handamo Godisso
Endalew Assefa Temesegen
The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts
Cogent Social Sciences
amharic euphemisms
euphemisms
euphemistic strategies
face
socio-pragmatics
sexual acts
title The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts
title_full The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts
title_fullStr The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts
title_full_unstemmed The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts
title_short The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts
title_sort socio pragmatic analysis of amharic euphemisms of sexual organs and sexual acts
topic amharic euphemisms
euphemisms
euphemistic strategies
face
socio-pragmatics
sexual acts
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2023.2231620
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