Language is not only a means of conveying neutral or polite content; it also allows speakers to express negative, insulting, or provocative attitudes. Dysphemisms are expressions that are more harsh or offensive than a neutral or euphemistic alternative. They serve rhetorical, psychological, social, and pragmatic functions. Examining dysphemisms helps us understand how speakers manipulate tone, identity, power, and social norms. This article discusses what dysphemisms are, why people use them, the functions they perform in English, and their importance in media, politics, interpersonal communication, and culture.
The Importance of Dysphemism in English
DOI:
Keywords:
Orthophemisms
dysphemisms
humor
irony
Abstract
References
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