Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova [611476]

Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova
Institute of International Relations of the Republic of Moldova
Department of Foreign Languages
English Philology Chair

DIPLOMA PAPER

Euphemistic Constructions in the Political Discourse and their Translation into
Romanian

Written by: Balaban Daniela
3rd year student: [anonimizat]: 3LM2

Scientific adviser:
University Lecturer
Sîngereanu Tatiana

Chisinau 2015

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Introduction
The Diploma Paper “ The Use of Euphemisms in Political Discourses and
Its translation into Romanian ” is devoted to the comparative analysis of
Euphemisms used in political speeches, general classification, definition, areas of
applications, its functions, the way of forming, the difficulties and mistakes that
can appear in translating euphemisms into the Romanian language. The subject of
investigation is the use of euphemisms by political leaders in their speeches.
The reason of the choice of the given topic is determined by an increasing
interest in the subject, especially the aim of using and translating euphemisms.
During the last few decades, restrictions on kinds of vocabulary, visual images and
subjects that can be presented to a publ ic have decreased considerably. Television,
radio and other forms of mass media no longer censor the material they bring
forward as strongly as they used to be. As a result, many topics that were
unspeakable earlier have now become a common part of our lan guage behavior.
If it is inappropriate to say something for example because of social
pressure brought on by a need to avoid being impolite, there is a tendency to
downsize the language by using euphemisms.
A euphemism is a kind of word that is used wit h the goal to avoid a harsh
reality. They are best suited for this purpose because they are mild, vague and
represent tactful expressions for things of unpleasant, distressing or delicate nature.
The actuality of this diploma paper is proved by the fact th at euphemisms exist in
all languages of the world and they are always in close relation to the culture and
society in which the language in question is spoken.
The main goal of the study is to present and disclose the main features of
euphemisms and to out line the linguistic and stylistic characteristics of euphemism
and the way of its translation.
The research objectives of the work are:
 to study theoretical approaches and studies concerning the concept and
features of euphemisms;

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 to analyze the main way s of forming euphemism and its classification;
 to find out which types of e uphemisms are used in political discourses;
 to look at the translatability of euphemistic features of language in general;
 to clarify the translation strategies used in translating euphemisms;
 to make linguistic analysis of selected examples and to make statistics
analysis of the most interesting cases;
The research methods applied in the study include:
 Linguistic analysis of euphemism used in political discourses;
 Semantic and p ragmatic analysis of translation techniques used with
euphemisms;
 Statistical analysis of styles and manners of euphemisms usage and its
functions;
The theoretical value of this diploma paper is the research for establishing
the notion, types, functions of euphemism, as well as the ways of its translation.
The practical value of this study suggests that this topic would help learners
to create a general idea about the no tion of euphemism of political discourse, their
main functions.
The research material is based on 150 English examples of euphemisms
from political speeches.
The study consists of Contents, Introduction, Two Chapters, Conclusion,
Bibliography, Appendix I, Appendix II and Summary.
The Introduction provides the main goal , tasks and objectives of the
Diploma Paper. It also includes the methods applied in the study and its practical
application. It also includes the structure of the paper and its brief descri ption.
Chapter I , General Pecul iarities of Euphemisms and Its U se in the
Political Discourse is focused on different approaches of defining the term
euphemism and discourse as well as their origin and functions. Except this here are
also included the ways according to which euphemisms are formed and what types
of euphemisms are usually used in the political speeches.

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Chapter II, Euphemism Analysis in the Political Discourse and Ways of its
Translation into Romanian , consists of the analyses of 15 0 examples of
euphemisms used in political discourses and its translation. It is also aimed at
underlining some classifications of euphemism and some methods of translating,
research description, objectives and statistical analysis. The difficulties posed by
the eup hemisms in the process of translation. In this chapter is also included the
detailed description of the distribution of the euphemisms in the political
discourses.
The Conclusion provides the main results of the experimental research and
the fact that Eup hemism is a widespread phenomenon among political discourses.
The Bibliography contains the alphabetical lists of the quoted l iterature (the
sources used in the study for theoretic al and practical research) and d ictionaries.
Appendix I presents lists of tables which also serve as study material.
In Appendix II are included 150 English examples of euphemisms and their
translation that served as study material.
Summary presents the main results of the experimental research; it explains
briefly the main ideas of the study.
Key -Words: euphemism, function, semantic classification, structural
classification, profession euphemism, disease euphemisms, death euphemisms,
crime euphemisms, political euphemisms, word formation devices, phonemic
modification, loan words, semantic innovation, com pounding derivation,
acronyms, onomatopoeia, phonemic replacement, abbreviations, formal
innovation, discourse, semantic structure, rhetoric, stylistic.

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1.1 The Concept of Euphemism and Its Functions
The most typically way to avoid directly m entioning something is to use a
euphemism. The Oxford dictionary defines euphemism as an indirect word or
phrase that people often use to refer to something embarrassing or unpleasant,
sometimes to make it seem more acceptable than it really is.[1,p.500] The Faber
dictionary of euphemisms describes euphemism as the language of evasion,
prudery and deceit .[2,p.11]
Allan and Burridge characterize euphemism as an alternative to a
dispreferred expression in order to avoid possible loss of face: either one’s own
face or, through giving offence, that of the audience or of the third party. So it can
be deduced that the concept of face -saving is an important part of explaining the
use of euphemisms. In addition, according to Allan and Burridge, the potential face
affronts ar e typically offensive by nature and therefore they are sometimes avoided
or at least ameliorated by use of euphemisms. [3, p. 7]
Warren proposes a more comprehensive definition than the previous one by
Allan and Burridge. Warren supposes that an expressi on is a euphemism if the
interpreter perceives the use of some words or expressions as evidence of an
intention on the part of the speaker to denote some sensitive matter in a courteous
manner. Additionally she adds three prerequisites for this explanation . Firstly, the
topic must be considered to be a conscious phenomenon. Conscious or in other
words sensitive topics comprise areas such as: death, politics, physical and mental
defects, crime, bodily functions and sex. Secondly, the expression used has to b e
considered less harsh or brute and less direct than some other alternative. This
implies that euphemism tend to only name phenomena that are already named. The
last, the interpreter has to perceive that the speaker's choice of words is dictated by
consid erations of tact or embarrassment with the referent. This means that if it is
actually a euphemism depends on the speaker and the receiver's interpretation of
the message or as Warren presents it, what is an euphemism is in the eye/ear of the
beholder and cannot be strictly speaking objectively verified, although normally of
course there is consensus among language users as to what words are euphemistic.

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So it can be strongly affirmed that sometimes it can be rather difficult to use and to
express your thou ghts by the means of euphemisms.
A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in
place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the receiver, or to
make it less troublesome for the speaker. The deployment of e uphemisms is a
central aspect within the public application of political correctness. It may also
substitute a description of something or someone to avoid revealing secret, holy, or
sacred names to the uninitiated, or to obscure the identity of the subjec t of a
conversation from potential eavesdroppers. Some euphemisms are intended to
amuse. [4]
The following wording presents a euphemism as a word or phrase that
stands in for another word or phrase, chosen to mask or soften the true meaning of
what is bein g expressed. A euphemism may be used for superstitious reasons, due
to religious or cultural taboos, or for euphemisms.
Whichever definition of a euphemism we take it is perceived as a kind of
polite and roundabout mode of expression, which is used to sof ten or beautify the
unpleasantness of reality. This statement will be based on Williams’ definition
which says that euphemism is a kind of linguistic elevation or amelioration
specifically directed toward finding socially acceptable words for concepts that
many people cannot easily speak of. This definition best summarizes the essence of
a euphemism treating it as linguistic elevation with the aim of finding socially
acceptable words for those which are unacceptable. [5, p.20]
The word euphemism is derived from Greek where the prefix ‘eu -’ means
‘good, well’; the stem ‘pheme’ means ‘speak’; the suffix ‘ -ism’ means ‘action or
result’. The word euphemism means ‘speaking well of…’, ‘good speech’, and
‘words of good omen’. The eupheme was originally a word or ph rase used in place
of a religious word or phrase that should not be spoken aloud; etymologically, the
eupheme is the opposite of the blaspheme. [4]
The function of euphemism is to assure the speaker/writer, header/reader, or
all of the above from possible arrogance and offence. This offence may occur in

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the broaching of a taboo topic, e.g. religion or death, or by mentioning subject
matter to which one party involved may be sensitive, such as politics or social
issues. In order for communication to progres s smoothly and without conflict,
compromises are constantly and often subconsciously made. Interpretation varies
from context to context whether the speaker means the term to be euphemistic, and
the hearer interprets it in that light. Classification of a t erm as 'euphemistic'
becomes difficult. For this reason, Allen and Burridge suggest the hypothetical
context of being "polite to a casual acquaintance of the opposite sex in a formal
situation in a middle class environment" as one in which a euphemism is l ikely to
be used in place of a 'dispreferred' alternative . [6, p.135]
The general and most practiced function of euphemism is that of underlining
or hiding something. In modern political speeches euphemisms are used with the
main aim of encouraging and dra wing audience attention.
Bibliographies References:
1. Oxford Advanced Lerner's Dictionary the 8th edition
2. Faber Dictionary of Euphemisms 1989
3. Allan K. and K. Burridge 1991, Euphemism and Dysphemism; Language
used as Shield and Weapon. New York, Oxford University Press
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphemism [Euphemism]
5. Lutz William D. Doublespeak. Harper & Row, New York, 1989
6. Warren, B.1992. What Euphemisms Tell Us about the Interpretation of
Words

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1.2 Semantic and Structural C lassification of Euphemisms
Nowadays euphemisms are used in different spheres of life without
considering which euphemism to use and when, however, it is not so easy to
classify them as there is no a specific principal.
Rawson divides euphemisms into two general types: positive and negative
which are distinguished according to the evaluative aspect. Positive euphemisms
also called stylistic euphemisms or exaggerating euphemisms. The positive ones
inflate and magnify, maki ng the euphemistic items seem altogether grander and
more important than they really are. In order to avoid thrill, to be polite or to
achieve cooperation, contemporary Americans, prefer using the technique of
exaggeration to emphasize something unpleasant and embarrassing. The positive
euphemisms include the many smart occupational titles, which save the egos of
workers by elevating their job status. It might be affirmed that quite a few positive
euphemisms are doublespeak and abstract words. They usually appear in the
political, military and commercial vocabulary. Other kinds of positive euphemisms
include personal honorifics such as the colonel, the honorable, the major, and the
many institutional euphemisms which convert madhouses into mental hospitals,
colleges into universities, parlors, and salons.
One the other hand the negative euphemisms deflate and diminish. They are
defensive in nature, offsetting the power of taboo terms and otherwise excluding
from the language everything that people prefer not to deal with directly. The
negative euphemisms can be called traditional euphemisms or narrowing
euphemism. They are extremely ancient, and closely connected with the taboos. In
fact a euphemism and its corresponding taboo are two faces of the same coin. They
refer to the same thing though they have different looks, the euphemism having a
much more pleasant face than the taboo. [1, p. 312]
Besides positive or negative euphemisms, they can be also divided into
unconscious euphemisms and conscious euphemisms . The criterion for
classification is the euphemistic meaning whether correlative with the primary
meaning or not. Unconscious euphemisms , were developed long ago, and are

9
used unconsciously, without any intent to deceive or evade. For example, now
stand ard term as cemetery has been a replacement for the more deathly graveyard
since the fourteenth century. Indisposition has been a substitute for disease for a
long period; people seldom realize that its original meaning is incapacity for
dealing with something. It can be concluded that unconscious euphemisms were
developed so long ago that few can remember their original motivations.
Conscious euphemisms are widely used, which involves more complex
categories. When people communicate with each other, speakers are conscious to
say tactfully, and the listeners understand their implied meanings. For example,
when a lady stands up and says that she wants to powder her nose or make a phone
call at a dinner party, the people present realize the euphemism means something
else, that is, going to the ladies’ room . [2, p. 412]
Besides the above classification, euphemisms can be also divided into
another six groups such as: profession euphemisms, disease euphemisms, death
euphemisms, sex euphemisms, crime euphemisms, political euphemisms.
In the majority of the western countries , mental work is found to be the high
job whereas physical labor is recognized as humble work, besides there is a great
difference in the remuneration. Thus, most of the people think that people with
different occupations have different status in society. Some lowly paid or indecent
jobs are often used in English culture just for saving face and expressing
politeness. Therefore there are fewer occupations called jobs, many have become
professions. Some words and forms like engineer are more popular among pe ople
in the communication.
English euphemisms are used to express some fancy occupational titles,
which can elevate the people’s status. Many previously unwelcome professions
have now taken more appealing names. For example, in case of profession
euphemism s, people always use cleaning operative for road sweeper or dustman ,
sanitation engineer for garbage man , meat technologist for butcher, and
hairdresser has turned into beautician.
In the case of disease euphemisms , people always use long illness instead

10
of cancer, social disease replaces for syphilis and AIDS , also they use lung trouble
substitutes for tuberculosis and so on. And if someone with a mental illness, it
cannot be said psychosis directly, it should be said that he or she is a little
confused, meanwhile, it should be used hard of hearing in stand of deaf.
As death is feared, people in many societies tend to avoid mentioning death
directly and talk about it by using death euphemisms . They try to use pleasant
terms to express the ideas. So death h as hundreds of soft, decent, and better –
sounding names, such as breathe one’ s last , fall asleep , go west , join the majority ,
lay down one's life , pass away , pay the debt of nature , and reach a better world , to
be at peace , to return to the dust .
Euphemisms regarding sex or so called sex euphemisms : the great divide ,
willing woman , gay boy , lost girl can be used to replace divorce , loose woman ,
male homosexual and prostitute .
In the field of crime euphemism : five-fingers , gentleman of the road , hero
of the underground , the candy man are often used to substitute for pickpocket ,
robber , heroin , and drug pusher .
In order to reduce the unpleasantness of a term or notion political
euphemisms are welcomed. The governments will often resort them to understate
the facts, student unrest can be used to replace student strike ; police action , search
and clear , war games are used to substitute for aggression , massacre and war
exercise . [3]
Besides semantic classification, there is a classification which is based on
both structural and semantic features of euphemisms. (Appendix I, figure one )
According to Warren there are four main ways according to which euphemisms can
be formed. By structural features Warren means types of word formation devices ,
phonemic modification , loan words and semantic innovation . Word formation
devices include:
Compounding : hand job – masturbation , the combining of two individually
innocuous words forms a euphemism for an otherwise unacceptable term.
Derivation : fellatio -oral sex , the modification of a Latin term ('fellare', to

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suck) to form a printable modern English word.
Blends .
Acronyms : SNAFU – 'Situation Normal All Fucked Up' , a military euphemism for a
possibly catastrophic event.
Onomatopoeia : bonk sexual – intercourse , here the sound of 'things' hitting together
during the sexual act is employed to refer to the act itself.
In addition the form of an offensive word may be modified and altered
according to certain rules of phonemic replacement . Easy examples of phonemic
modification are:
Black slang e.g. 'enob' – bone/erect penis and 'epar' -rape. The words are reversed
to avoid explicit mention.
Rhyming slang : 'Bristols' -breasts , a shortened, and further euphemised, version of
'Bristol cities' [titties] which becomes a ‘s emi-concealing device’.
Phonemic replacement : 'shoot' [shit], i.e. one sound of the offensive term is
replaced with double ‘o’.
Abbreviation or shortening: 'eff' as in ‘eff off!’ [fuck (off)].
The loan words also can be used. Words like : calaboose from Spanish,
sativa that means marijuana from Latin, lingerie from French together with other
classical loans that include learnedness ( phenomenon, perspire, urine) are
common foreign loans. [4, p. 132]
In order to describe the different phonemic similarity Allan and Burridge
have used the term remodeling. These changes present only a small aspect of
euphemisms and they are closer to slang words then to euphemisms.
The examples described above are deri ved from formal innovation . The
final way for forming euphemisms is to invent a new semantic meaning for a word
or a combination of words instead of existed one. This type of euphemisms is
derived from semantic innovation .
The most common euphemisms are th ose derived from the semantic
innovation. These kinds of euphemisms are usually funny and they gain popularity
among users and are easily memorized. They are widely used by mass media.

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Euphemisms derived from the semantic innovation are divided into seven groups:
particularization, implications, figurative expressions (metaphors and metonyms),
reversal, understatements and overstatements. [5, p.15]
This way of forming euphemisms is applied for political kind of euphemism
and they are widely used speeches th at are delivered to the common people.

1.2.1 Particularization and Implications
Particularization is a wide used device for creating euphemisms. Warren
defines particularization as the use of general term that in the context where it is
used has to be particularized to make sense, or the selection of the specific
meaning for an exp ression. In the case of particularization the reader or the
receiver of the message will have to use his/her background of general knowledge
in order to understood the missing information. The interpreter is guided by the
demand that the end result must be a referent or some referents which fit the
context . It cannot be strongly affirmed that particularized expressions are
permanently fixed. An existed particularization of a meaning can develop further
and acquire another new sense. For instance, the famili ar expression cut out to be a
gentleman has a fixed meaning particularization destined to be a gentleman . But
according to Spears this expression has acquired a new meaning circumcised as a
further meaning particularization. It can be concluded that the process of
particularization is essential for semantic theory. Particularization may be used to
explain why meanings are not necessarily composed of the senses of the parts of an
express ion and the relations between them.
According to Warren, implications represent a phenomenon caused by a
clear causal connection between the contextual and the conventional meaning. For
instance, the expression he went home in a box , it is used in the mean ing he died
shows a clear antecedent -consequence relationship: if someone goes home in a
coffin, this is the established meaning, then one must be dead, this represents the
new euphemistic meaning. But the relationship does not always have to be that of
antecedent -consequent however the roles can also be reversed. There are rare cases

13
in which the conventional sense can present the consequent and the novel meaning
the antecedent.
Implications are very ambiguously because the intended meaning has to be
concl uded by the interpreter from the context and the situation where they are
used. Implications differ from particularizations in the sense that for instance inner
city can in the utterance mean both the inner part of the city and the ghetto slum .
While in pa rticularizing, sand -box cannot be used in the utterance to mean both
any sand -box and the sand -box acting for a cat toilet . [4, p.140 -146]
In other words, particularization cannot have several meanings but
implications can. Another difference between par ticularization and implication is
that with implications the novel set of referents does not need to be properly
included in the conventional set of referents.
1.2.2 Figurative Expressions (Metaphors and Metonymy)
Metaphor, as a meaning formation system, represents one of the most
extensively covered areas of linguistic phenomena. According to Levinson,
divergent classifications and terminologies usually plague the discussions on
metaphor. The distinction between metaphor and metonymy are often
contradicto ry and different classification models may cause different results.
[6, p. 148]
Many scholars among which Krikmann argue against the identification of
metonymy as a special case of metaphor. In this these two, metaphor and
metonymy together with idioms wi ll be analyzed in this subchapter. There are
cases in which metaphors and metonymies can be used as euphemism and there
cases in which they cannot be used as euphemism. [7, p.150]
As a type of euphemism, metaphor can be often found in almost all kinds of
texts. Allan and Burridge choose to call metaphors simply figurative expressions .
Warren narrows this definition down by presenting the Aristotelian view on
metaphors. The meaning for a metaphor is formed in a process which is largely
similar to the formin g of particularization. Metaphor obtains its figurative qualities
due to some common property between the conventional and the contextual

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meaning. [5, p. 30]
Levinson mentions that the interpretation of a metaphor must rely on
features of our general abili ty to reason analogically. For instance, in the sentence
he is a mole , the association between the word mole and its metaphoric meaning
“secret agent” can be deduced from the common property that both the contextual
and the conventional referent share: bot h the animal and the secret agent work
under cover . Levinson and Kerry describe the interpretation process as the
“mapping” of some features from one lexical unit to another. For example, in the
case of the metaphor love is a journey ; the concrete knowledg e of journeys is
mapped onto, and partially structures, the concept of love . [6, p.161]
According to Newmark there are six types of different metaphor: dead,
stock, cliché, recent, original and adapted. A dead metaphor, where one is hardly
conscious of the image , frequently relates to universal terms of time and space, the
main point of the body, general ecological features and the main human activities.
The words such as: space, food, mouth, fall belong to this group. Newmark defines
stock metaphor as an e stablished metaphor which in an informal context is an
efficient and concise method of covering a physical and mental situation both
referentially and pragmatically. Cliché metaphors have outlived their usefulness
and are used as a substitute for clear tho ught, often emotively, but without
corresponding to the facts of the matter as in the phrase breakthrough in education.
The recent metaphors are new metaphors that have spread rapidly. Adapted
metaphors are usually an altered stock metaphor such as the bal l is a little in their
court . The original metaphor are created or quoted by the writer in question .
[8, p. 106 -113]
Another type of figurative expression is metonymy. Allan and Burridge
define metonymy in terms of substituting words with other words, including one –
for-one substitution, general -for-specific and part -for-whole substitutions.
[5, p. 14]
Waren defines met onymy as a word that is applied to referents that aren’t
included in the conventional set of its referents, but which are connected to the

15
conventional set of referents in some other way. So here can be defined different
kind of relations, such as: causal (heartburn , used for jealousy), whole -part ( nether
regions , instead of genitals), locative ( bathroom , for WC), or equative ( killed –
weed , for PCP -drug). [4, p. 149]
Krikmann identifies several uses of metonyms which also indicate how they
can be used as eu phemisms:
Referring to entirety instead of a part of it or vice versa;
Referring to an institution instead of a person;
Referring to a quality/characteristic instead of its bearer;
Referring to a location of an event instead of the event itself. [7, p. 81 -82]
It is quite difficult to make a clear distinction between implication and
metonymy. There are several differences between them. Implications start off as
literal, secondary senses, while the metonymic senses are non -literal senses that do
not exist togethe r with the senses from which they are derived. Another distinction
is that implications may take the form of a verb, noun or an adjective while
metonyms are in the majority of cases nouns. In the sentence: What our business
needs is some muscles , the word muscle is a metonym. The interpretation of
muscle can be paraphrased : that which muscles produce, in other words power . In
the sentence: We need muscular doormen for this restaurant the word muscular is
an implication since it simply implies strong .
There is also difference between a metaphor and a metonymy. Warren
suggests that in the case of metaphor the connector is a resemblance type relation
that may involve more than one shared property, but in the case of metonyms there
is only one connector. She als o states that in creating metaphors and metonyms at
least one of the defining features of the existing meaning is violated. It follows
from this that the interpreter will think of the new referent as an unorthodox one
and the new meaning as transferred or figurative. [4, p.152]
The majority of euphemistic construction have on the base a metaphor or a
metonymy; there are cases in which is quite difficult to make clear distinction
especial when they combine also the elements of other stylistic devises.

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1.2.3 Reversals, Understatements and Overstatements
The four most important devices in forming new euphemistic meaning
for already existing expressions are particularization, implication, metaphor and
metonymy. But there are three additional devices suited especially well for the
creation of euphemisms: reversals (irony), understatements (litotes), and
overstatements (hyperboles). Warren suggests that these are minor devices in
forming euphemisms and in the semantic extension theories as well.
According to W arren reversals can be found in cases where a person
expresses something bad by referring to it with its opposite. This means that a
conventional meaning of a word fits our favored contextual referent provided we
reverse it, so that huge means (contextuall y) unusually small or early means late.
Reversals are euphemisms which are usually carefully planned and like many
euphemisms are extremely contexts dependent. Usually the tone of the reversals
euphemisms is ironic.
Warren suggests that understatements are instances where the conventional
meaning of a word fits the favored contextual referent provided that the degree to
which some feature of meaning applies is made stronger. For instance, drug habit
is used for drug addiction. In the case of understatement the undesirable feature is
downgraded. Overstatement, on the other hand, is instances of euphemism where
the conventional meaning of the word corresponds to the favored contextual
referent provided that the degree to which some feature of meaning applies i s
weakened. A desirable feature is upgraded. For example, flight to glory used for
death . [4, p. 153 -157]
It is difficult to make a distinction and to identify the class to which belong
euphemisms. Euphemisms can at the same time contain elements of
particularizations and metonyms. Since the borders between some classes are very
thin, there can be no distinct lines drawn between them at all, intuition may be the
only guide to be used in the classifying euphemisms derived from semantic
innovation.

17
Bibliographies References:
1. Rawson H.A. Dictionary of Euphemisms and other Doubletalk, 1893(312)
2. Holder B.A. Dictio nary of Euphemisms: “ How not to say what you mean,
2008 (412)
3. http://www.51lw.name.html [The classification of Euphemisms]
4. Warren, B.1992. What Euphemisms Tell Us about the Interpretation of
Words
5. Allan K. and K. Burridge 1991, Euphemism and Dysphemism; Language
used as Shield and Weapon. New York, Oxford University Press
6. Levinson, S.C. Pragmatics. Cambridge: University Press 1983
7. Krikmann, A.Muutama sana metonymiasta, In. L. Harvilahyi, et.al.(eds)
Metafora: Ikku na Keileen, mieleen ja Kultturiin, Tampere:Tamperren
pikakopio, 79 -90
8. Newmark, P. Approches to Translation. Oxford Pergamon Press

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1.3 The Concept of Discourse and Its Characteristics Features
The term discourse is sometimes connected to any kind of communicated
information. This description is not so far from the truth; however, attention should
be paid to all of premises which influence real discourse. All of the meanings
which accompany th e process of communication are joined in order to form
clauses, sentences and utterances. Nevertheless, these structures have sense as a
well-formed discourse only in particular situational context. It means that not only
syntactic and semantic features ar e important but also the pragmatic features of
particular situation.
As a result the discourse includes all of its possible forms for instance:
spoken or written and also the monologue or the dialogue. The first part is
distinguished under the heading of t he medium, the second part, on the other side,
is the result of the nature of the participation during a concrete communicative
event and may be bring together under the heading of various aspects of modality.
All of these four types have their typical fea tures, but it sometimes happens that
features that are usually associated with informal dialogic speech are part of a
written text, or on the other hand when some formal features usually ascribed to
writing are incorporated into a public speech. [1]
Vad Di jk suggests that any piece of discourse contains a large number of
features which are difficult to relate to specific variables to in the original extra –
linguistic context even though may be felt to have some kind of stylistic value . The
analysis thus should be done very carefully in order to catch all contextual features
as much as it is possible. [2, p .38]
Each discourse is created with a special goal. According to the intentioned
goal there can be different types of discourses. In this thesis the ma jority of
information is mainly focused on the political discourses. A political discourse is
about the text; it’s talk of professional politicians or political institutions, such as
presidents and prime ministers and other members of government, parliamen t or
political parties, both at the local, national and international levels.
Politicians in this sense are that group of people who are being paid for their

19
special political activities, and who are being elected or appointed as the central
players in the polity. This way of defining political discourse is hardly different
from the identification of medical, legal or educational discourse with the
respective participants in the domains of medicine, law or education. [3, p.447]
The specific discourse struc tures are more or less typical and especially
more or less effective for the political functions they may have, or even, more
specifically, in the specific political contexts in which they might be used. It is
know that the 'official language' of governmen t decisions, or the legal jargon of
bilis, laws and regulations, is discursively, politically and legally mandatory.
Similarly, also parliamentary debates are expected to be held in relatively formal
style of address and dialogue. That is, at least for the official, public forms of
political text and talk, it seems to have a number of stylistic constraints, which may
not be exclusive, but which political discourse sitares with other forms of official
and public talks and text. Some of the more formulaic exp ressions, forms of
address and textual and dialogical conventions are even specific for bills, laws,
regulations, parliamentary debates, or political speeches.
Besides this normativity of official discourse, discourse structures may also
satisfy criteria o f effectiveness and persuasion. Thus, lexical items may not only
be selected because of official criteria of decorum, but also because they
effectively emphasize or de -emphasize political attitudes and opinions, garner
support, manipulate public opinion, m anufacture political consent, or legitimate
political power. The same may be true for the selection of topics, for the use
of rhetoric figures, the pragmatic management of speech acts, interactional self –
presentation, and so on. In other words, maybe the s tructures of political discourses
are seldom exclusive, but typical and effective discourse in political contexts may
well have preferred structures and strategies that are functional in the adequate
accomplishment of political actions in political context s. [4, p .40]
Among the main characteristics of political discourses can be enumerated:
the choice of topic, semantic features, lexical features, syntax, rhetoric, expression
structures.

20
Generally a political discourse may be virtually about any topic. Bu t in
general this is not so veridical this means that the process of choosing the topic
for the political discourse is very important . First of all, political discourse will
be primarily about politics. That is, we may typically expect overall meanings
related to political systems, ideologies, institutions, the political process, political
actors, and political events. In other words, political discourse is reflexive. This is
not quite trivial, because this reflexivity is not typical for educational, schola rly, or
legal discourse. Thus, campaigning politicians will speak about themselves as
candidates, about the elections, about voting for them, and the policies they
promise to support when elected. They speak about opponents and political
enemies and about the bad politics and policies of previous presidents,
governments or parliaments. More officially, governments or parliaments also refer
to their own policies and political actions in decision making discourse. Making a
conclusion can be said that politica l discourse is at least partly about politics itself.
But it also can refer to various elements of the political domain; political
discourse usually combines its topics with those from other societal domains. Thus
a debate about immigration policies is not only about government policies, but also
about immigration or minorities, and the same is true for political meetings,
discussions, debates, speeches or propaganda about education, health care, drugs,
crime, the economy, (un)employment, or foreign affairs . [5]
Whereas overall topics may be quite distinctive for political discourse, more
detailed, local structures may be expected to be increasingly or less discriminating.
Obviously, also for the local level it may be predicted that the semantic
structure reflects political contexts. That is, they will preferably denote
politicians, as well as political institutions, organizations, actors and actions,
decisions, politicians, and so on. As is the case for macro propositions, thus,
semantic participants such as: agents, patients, settings and predicates in local
propositions tend to be reflexive in political text and talk. In a broader framework
the same is true for all social and public issues that are the object of political
attention, interests and struggl e, such as those of national and international

21
policies, war and peace, national security, and public debates and controversies on
affirmative action, crime, drugs, the welfare state, health care, and so on.
[6.p, 150 -157]
Taking in consideration the nature of the political system and process, thus,
first of all can be analyzed the expect of the usual partisan polarization. Any kind
of group (party, ideology, etc.) will tend to be described in more positive terms
than their group is in reality (pa rty, ideology, etc.), a polarization that in general
will result in contrastive meanings. One other main semantic strategy to do this is
to make propositions with positive predicates about their own group rather explicit
than implicit, rather direct than i ndirect, and stated rather than presupposed.
Similarly, given the possibility to vary the level of generality and specificity and
the degree of completeness, at each of these levels in description of people, events
and actions, it can be expected that the good deeds will be described with plenty of
detail. The opposite will be true for the description of the bad deeds, which will
tend to get short thrift, remain implicit or referred to only indirectly or vaguely.
The reverse will be true for the descriptio n of the others. In this respect, political
discourse is similar to ethnocentric majority discourse about minorities. [7, p.1 -29]
One important element in the political discourses is the coherence .
Coherence is of two types: conditional and functional, wh ich are based on relations
between facts in subjective speaker models of events, and on semantic relations
between sentences. Conditional relations are often of the causal or temporal kind,
and crucial in various types of explanation. Since explanations ma y be based on
the ideological conception of the world in general and in particular on world of
politics, it is easy to see how conditions of local coherence may be a function of
politically biased explanations of social and political facts. If political vi ews and
policies see high minority unemployment as being caused mainly by the failure of
minorities to perform or compete, and not primarily by discrimination by
employers, we may expect a very different organization of local relations between
propositions . [8, p.249 -250]
To conclude the aspect of semantic characteristics of the political discourses

22
it is necessary to add that politicians will tend to emphasize all meanings that are
positive about themselves and their own group (nation, party, ideology, et c.) and
negative about the others, while they will hide, mitigate, play -down, leave
implicit, etc. information that will give them a bad impression and their opponents
a good impression. Discourse semantics has a wide variety of means to accomplish
such co mplementary strategies at the local level.
What is true for global and local meanings is obviously true for the
meanings of words, and hence at the level of lexical choice and variation . Indeed,
most studies of political language focus on the special words that are used in
politics. For instance opponents or enemies will be described in more negative
tercos, as the classical pair of terrorists vs. freedom fighters shows. While the bad
habits, properties, products or actions will usually tend to be described by
euphemisms, for example bombs are called Peacemaker and the killings of
civilians among the others are named collateral damage . It can be composed a
lexicon of Newspeak, Nukespeak, Doublespeak in a very simple way, by
recording the words that describe the political activities and political relationships
between countries . [9, p. 103 -121]
Somewhat less obvious and more subtle than lexical style is the political
manipulation of syntactic style , such as the use of pronouns, variations of word
order, the use of specific syntactic categories, active and passive constructions,
nominalizations, clause embedding, sentence complexity and other ways to express
underlying meanings in sentence structures.
The well -known boundaries of syntax, semantics and p ragmatics, are the
partisan use of deictic pronouns us or them . Thus, the use of the political plural we
or possessive our has many implications for the political position, alliances,
solidarity, and other socio -political position of the speaker, depending on the
relevant group being constructed in the present context: we in the West , we the
people , we American citizens , we in the government , or indeed we the President. In
this respect, political pronouns are typical deictic for political contexts and their
categories. Throughout the same political speech, such pronominal self -references

23
may of course vary, depending on which reference group is most relevant for each
argument. Principles of exclusion and inclusion are at play here, and reflect the
partisan s trategies of power in the political process.
Another syntactic characteristic, such as word order, usually has two types of
political functions: to emphasize or to mitigate through more or less prominent
placement of words and phrases, and the ways underly ing semantic roles are
focused on. Syntactic characteristic of fronting a word may draw special attention
to such a word with the intention to emphasize good things and bad ones. Active
sentences will associate responsible agency with typical syntactic sub jects, while
passive sentences will focus on objects for example victims of such actions and
defocus responsible agency by putting agents last in prepositional phrases, or
leaving it implicit, as in the well -known headlines Police killed demonstrators vs.
Demonstrators killed by Police vs. Demonstrators killed . So the syntactic
structures are able to put more or less emphasis, focus or prominence on specific
words, phrases or clauses, and thus indirectly contribute to corresponding semantic
stress on speci fic meanings, as a function of the political interests and allegiances
of the speaker or writer.[10,p.338 -339]
Classical rhetoric except from its uses in the courtroom was primarily
developed as an `art' to persuade people in a political assembly. Thus, special
arguments, special forms and figures of style were traditionally associated with
political text and talk. Of course common sense notions of political discourse as
typically verbose, hyperbolic, dishonest and immoral are sometimes simply
summarized with the negative label of rhetoric. [11, p.275]
In the political discourse the rhetoric operations are generally optional.
This means that their presence usually has persuasive functions and therefore
political significance in a political context of commu nication.
The repetition of operations at the level of sound such as alliterations and
rhymes, sentence forms – parallelisms and meaning the semantic repetition, is one
of the major strategies to draw attention to preferred meanings and to enhance
construction of suc h meanings in mental models and their memorization in

24
ongoing persuasion attempts or later recall. [12, p.294]
Political speakers usually elaborate in details their own or their own group's
beneficial actions and the horror stories about their enemies. Eup hemisms, litotes
and hyperboles are the classical figures describing such relative too much or too
little information being given, and also reflect the strategic deviances of Grice's
principle of quantity in discourse. Irrelevant additions may also be foun d in racist
discourse, both in politics and the media, e.g., when actors of crime are relevant
described as belonging to a minority group. On the other side the same is true for
all operations of deletion, where information would be expected in a given con text
but is deleted for similar partisan reasons. The most subtle and pervasive are the
semantic operations that seem to obey a principle of substitution. This semantic
operation is used and expresses a concept different from the one would expect in
the pr esent context, as is the case for irony, metonymy and metaphor. Substitution
is used in order to follow the overall goals of positive self -presentation and
negative other -presentation we have found in the ideological square. So people and
their actions and properties will tend to be described in metaphorical meanings that
derive from conceptual fields with positive associations, whereas the opposite is
true for the description of their political opponents or enemies. While politicians
vs. soldiers are chara cterizations as something good, strong, valiant, brave,
persistent animals such as lions, tigers or bears, those of the others will be
preferably represented as cunning foxes or dirty hyenas, rats, dogs, cockroaches.
Similarly, their minds tend to be repre sented with concepts derived from the field
of mental illness. [13, p.7 -31]
Except the syntactic sentence structures, the phonetic expressions usually
also play an indirect function in emphasizing or making neutral the meanings of
the political discourse. V olume (shouting and whispering), pitch and intonation of
speakers may influence modes of attention and understanding of what he/she says.
The same is true for graphical display through headlines, letter type, and use of
colors or photographs. Intentioned meanings are emphasized by shouting, high
pitch, raising intonation, as well as by the headlines, big type, striking color or

25
catchy photos, and the opposite is true for unwished meanings. [14]
These are only the general characteristics of a simple political discourse.
There are many other details which have a great impact on audience. These details
depend on the aim of the discourse and also for whom it is addressed. The speaker
status and his/h er ability of public speaking also play an important role in the
process of delivering and presenting a political discourse. Being presented by a
person who doesn’t acquire the specific qualities the political discourse main loses
its status of political a nd may be perceived as a simple process of presenting some
unimportant information.
Bibliographies References:
1. http://www.discourses.org/OldArticles/Political%20Discourse%20and%20Id
eology.pdf [Political discourse and ideology]
2. Van Dijk, T. A. Discourse studies: A multidisciplinary introduction. 2 vols.
London: Sage Publications. 1997
3. Blommaert Jan and Chris Bulcaen. "Critical Discourse Analysis". 2000
4. Edleman, M. Political Language New York: Academic Press,1997
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_analysis [ Discourse Analysis]
6. Gamson, W. A. Talking Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1992
7. Gruber, H. Political Language and Textual Vagueness. Pragmatics,1993
8. van Dijk, T. The pr inciples of critical discourse analysis . Discourse and
Society (4) (2), 249 83, 1993
9. Chilton, P. Words, Discourse and Metaphors: The Meanings of Deter,
Deterrent and Deterrence. In P. Chilton ed, Language and the Nuclear Arms
Debate: Nukespeak Today, 198 5
10. Zupnik, Y . J. A Pragmatic Analysis of the Use of Person Deixis in Political
Discourse. Journal of Pragmatics 1994.

26
11. Hirschman, A. The rhetoric of reaction. Perversity, futility and jeopardy.
Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1991.
12. Allen, J. Thema tic Repetition as Rhetorical Technique. Journal of Technical
Writing and Communication, 1991.
13. Akioye, A. A.The Rhetorical Construction of Radical Africanism at the
United -Nations: Metaphoric Cluster as Strategy. Discourse & Society, 1994.
14. http://discourses.org/OldArticles/What%20is%20Political%20Discourse%20
Analysis.pdf [What is Political Discourse Analysis?]

27
1.4 The Role of Euphemisms in the Political Discourse
Euphemism is a tool for political participants to hide scandals, disguise the
truth, and guide public thoughts when discussing social issues or events. In spite of
some common features political euphemisms have three typical features: g reater
degree of deviation from its signified, vaguer meanings, string characteristics of
time.
One of the most important features of the political discourse represents
greater degree of deviation from its signified . According to the Swiss linguist
Saussure, language signs are a combination of the signifier, the phonetic forms of
language and the signified, and objects in existence represented by linguistic
forms . [1, p.12] Due to the lack of direct or logical ties between the two, they have
a kind o f discretionary relationship with each other, making the possibility to
create euphemism by replacing the signifier. As euphemism is just created by
transforming the signifier to extend the association distance between the signifier
and the signified, euph emism meanings stay relative to their former zero -degree
ones. However euphemism and its former zero -degree signifier refer to the same
signified, political euphemism is different from those commonly used euphemistic
forms for avoiding death and other phy sical phenomena in that it deviates greatly
from the meaning is expressed by its former signifier, or even a complete
distortion. For instance, Former US President Reagan once named the 10 -warhead
intermediate -range missile as peacekeeper, some later polit ical participants called
their attack as active defense; they even replaced recession with negative growth
because it sounded offensive. It is relevant that these expressions are not a simple
replacement of the former zero -degree signifier, but quite oppos ite meanings to
their literal meanings, like replacing black with white . It can be marked the
euphemism’s deviation degree with a range from 1 to 10, within which a greater
number refers to a greater degree of deviation. [1, p.7]
This characteristics is t aken into account not only in the political speeches
but it is used universal for all kind of discourses and public speeches or any other

28
type of presenting the information in the front of the audience.
A political discourse doesn’t suppose presenting spe cial and strict
information about the special issue by a political person, for avoiding conflicts
with audience are used euphemisms that have more vague meanings rather the
something concrete. This represents other main feature of political discourse.
George Orwell underlined two characteristics of political these are:
obsolescence and vagueness of figure of speech . Euphemism is characterized by
replacing direct expressions with implicative, obscure and vague ones, plays a
quite essential role in punctu ring the connotation of political discourse when
serving political purposes. Some commonly employed demystifying methods in
political euphemism include replacing specific meanings with general ones,
replacing hyponyms with superordinate and replacing derog atory meanings with
neutral or even commendatory ones. For example, people usually refer to the
atomic bombs used in Hiroshima as the gadget , the device , the thing or other vague
meanings which have nothing in common with atomic bomb. [3, p.68]
One more im portant feature is strong characteristic of times .Euphemism
is the language reflection of social culture; therefore changes that took place in
social development will generate changes in language. Political euphemism will be
booming at the international l evel. Due to US’s growing role in international
politics as well as its dynamic in its national politics and economy, these are
changes that lead to creation of political euphemism. For example, from US
economic decline are recession , disinflation and nega tive growth created, hence
giving birth to some euphemistic expressions such as downsize or workforce
adjustment . After Watergate Scandal, quite a few euphemistic expressions were
produced to hide such political scandal. In addition, military actions are a lso a kind
of political extension. War has brought about not only death and destruction but
new euphemistic expressions because it is a global tendency to make death sound
less horrible. US Department of Defense called their air attack in Vietnam as air
support and protective action , their destruction over Vietnamese villages as
pacification program and those homeless refugees as ambient non -combat

29
personnel . Similarly, deaths and injuries caused by their bombardment over other
nations were expressed as collateral damage . Within the system of language, such
constant changes with time evolve from the relationship between the signifier and
signified. Although there is no relation between linguistic signs and their signified,
people tend to relate euphemism to its signified after it has been used for a period.
As a result, the former vagueness and sense of distance disappear and euphemistic
color fades away. Consequently, politicians will rack their brains to find alternative
expressions.
Political euphemism is not just a simple rhetoric replacement of some ideas
and thoughts. Instead, it has some special characteristics which distinguish it with
euphemistic expressions in other fields. Its production reflects political leaders’
motivation to hide the truth and shift public attention off it. By using such
expression, they attempt to control people’s learning about the world as well as
information transmission. [4, p.66]
Except the functions mentioned above the political discourses usually have
also several social functions such as: speech act theory of political euphemism,
disguising and deceptive function and persuasive function.
Political euphemism is different from others expressing physical
phenomena or used in other fields such as in career because it is equipped with
obvious political language characteristics. Actually, political language is not
romantic compared with the lit erature one it isn’t precise as that in foreign trade,
but purpose -oriented. Austin suggests that speech performs three speech acts
simultaneously, including locutionary act , illocutionary act and perlocutionary
act. This theory demonstrates theoretical support for us to show the social
functions of political euphemism. However, with individual listeners as his subject,
Austin mainly focused his attention on the function of speech act verbs in the three
levels of speech act. It can be found out that impli cation is an important part of
euphemism in addition to its narrative and signified functions. [5, p.85 -86]
In case of Illocutionary Act political euphemism is an effective tool for
political leaders for controlling the quantity and quality of transmitted information

30
with which some inappropriate behaviors and motivations will be glorified or
hidden, hence avoiding public accuse. For instance US Ex -President Nixon and his
partners called their overhearing spying in Watergate Scandal as “intelligence
gather ing” and their lie telling as l ess than truthful and prevaricate . Obviously,
such neutral expression is to smooth out the bad influences they have exerted. US
Government once expressed their nuclear experiment in South Pacific as operation
sunshine . It is widely known that atomic bomb experiments are mainly intended to
test the extensiveness and effectiveness of its execution, but such a euphemistic
name hides their nature. It is impossible for people who are uninformed or
misinformed of it to associate suc h a beautiful name with terrible nuclear weapon.
In the reports about US military attacks to other nations in recent years, people
hardly find expressions as surprise attack . Instead, some other expressions such as
preemptive strikes or surgical strikes are employed to add a color of justice.
Actually, all these are defensive expressions to hide their illegal attack to others.
[3, p. 80 -83]
Analyzing Perlocutionary Act Lakoff suggests that politics is language and
language is politics. Political euphemism is similar to political propaganda in that
both goals at persuading and influencing the public. It has been a long time since
linguists realized that language is not o nly for ideogram or for reflecting social
culture but for participating social events and constructing social relationship. It is
rather a kind of social practice and an intervention. Taking in consideration these
facts that have long before pointed out th e important role of language in the
construction of social reality. Although it doesn't change the signified things in
existence, it really changes its conceptual connotation because sometimes people’s
process of learning a concept or a meaning is based on their knowledge about
words.
Political leaders try to shape people’s recognition and knowledge of the
world by using euphemism, hence influencing their view of world and influence
their knowledge of the world and sense of right and wrong. [6, p.92 -93]
Critical linguists state that language is not a true reflection of reality. While

31
helping people to know about the objective world, language also imposed on them
a set of extremely subjective classification on behalf of their group interests, which
is often u sed to manipulate people without detection. The influences exerted by
political euphemism are not immediate but subtle and potential, hence planting
illusive concepts into people’s minds and changing them into facts accepted by
these people.
Bibliographie s References:
1. de Saussure, Ferdinand. Course in General Linguistics. McGraw Hill, New
York.
2. Xu, Lina. Euphemism Interpretation Strategies in Intercultural
Communication. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching,2002
3. Orwell, George. Politics and the English Lan guage. In Paul Eschholz etc.
(eds). Language Awareness. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1990
4. Peng, Wenzhao. Euphemism: Language Reflection of Social Culture. Journal
of Foreign Lnguages, 1999
5. Austin, J L. How to Do Things with Words. Beijing: Foreign Languag e
Teaching and Research Press. 2002
6. Hudson, R.A. Sociolinguistics. Cambridge University Press, 2000

32
Chapter II Euphemism Analysis in the Political Discourse and Ways of its
Translation into Romanian
2.1. General Distribution of Euphemisms in Political Discourses
The 21st century is well known as the century of new innovations, the
century of new tendencies. These tendencies have been manifested in each area
starting with technologies and ending with languages. In the latest decades in the
world have appeared a kind of ten sion between the high developed countries or so
called powerful countries. In order to avoid conflicts accusing a special country,
political group or leader in something, linguists invented so called euphemisms, a
kind of words that are used for decreasing the rudeness of expressions, euphemism
can be defined as a kind of techniques used in order to avoid conflicts.
The process of using euphemisms in the political discourses becomes more
pronounced in the latest decades. Well known American political leade r Barack
Obama is a master in using euphemisms in his speeches. Despite the fact that
Barack Obama is the president of the one of the powerful nation in his discourses
he is using neutral words in case of accusing or criticizing something, when he is
speak ing about the American nation Barack Obama is always using words of
glorification and exaltation of American nation. These examples are treated as
euphemisms by majority of linguists. (Appendix I, figure two )
As it has been motioned above , euphemism is a kind of tendency practiced
mainly in the latest decades of the 21 century. This conclusion is made after a
detailed analysis of the three political speeches from different periods of time such
as: Winston Churchill’s speech delivered at the University of Zurich, 19 September
1946, Martin Luther King’s discourse delivered on August 1963 and Barack
Obama’s inaugural Address from 27 January 2009 and state of the union speech
from 2015year.
In discourse of Winston Churchill 1,7% from total number of stylistic
constructions are euphemisms, this is of course a small number in comparison
with the Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech in which are found
approximately 9% of total number of words are treated as euphemisms. In Martin

33
Luther King’s discourse are present approximately 2.27% of euphemisms. So it
can be clearly observed that the process of using euphemism in the political
speeches increases with the time. The tendency of using euphemisms contractions
becomes more widely and often used.
In Winston Ch urchill’s speech there can be identified approximately 26
examples of euphemisms, in Martin Luther King’s discourse I have a dream
addressed in 1963, there are used near ly 62 examples euphemisms, even in Barack
Obama’s speeches the number of used euphemism s varies from year to year, for
instance in his Inaugural Address Speech from 2009, he used near 119 examples of
euphemisms. This is a big number in comparison with 26 or even 62 examples. In
the recent Barack Obama’s speech The State of the Union addresse d in January
2015 year, can be identified approximately 250 examples of euphemisms, number
that is equal with 9 %. So now it is clearly seen that euphemisms are becoming
more and more used, of course their types and the intention of using euphemism
are a l ittle bit different from time to time.
In Martin Luther King’s discourse , for instance , the majority of euphemisms
are used for emphasizing the aspirations and demands of all blacks residing in that
part of the world.
Barack Obama’s discourses are full o f positive as well as negative types of
euphemisms but the majority of them have positive connotation and are used
mainly for supporting and empowering the American nation. In Barack Obama’s
the state of the union discourse the majority of euphemisms are p ositive ones.
Speaking about the American nation, American prosperity Barack Obama has a
tendency to use widely conscious and positive euphemisms, he avoided negative
euphemisms as the number is very small only 0.72 %. The majority of euphemistic
construct ions are composed of political euphemisms which represent in this
discourse 8.28% from total number of used euphemisms. In order to avoid
discrimination Barack Obama used sex Euphemisms that represents only 0.144%
and only one example of disease euphemism and crime euphemism in the whole
speech that represent 0.036%.

34
In the discourse The State of the Union can be found different types of
euphemisms while in Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill’s discourse contain
only examples of political euphemisms with different connotations positive or
negative, for instance in Martin Luther King’s speech I have a drea m the majority
of euphemisms are negative, this can be easily explained, this is because he wanted
to emphasize the vulnerable position of Negroes from that time, more than half of
that euphemisms are with negative connotation. Winston Churchill’s discour se
from Zurich University also is not rich in different types of euphemisms as in case
of Martin Luther King’s speech, the single distinction being only between positive
and negative euphemisms.
As it was mentioned above the tendency of using widely euphe misms
becomes more emphasized in the latest years. The process of globalization, the
widely used values and principles of democracy, the economic and military
prosperity of powerful countries can represent the base of introducing and using
euphemisms in po litical speeches. As it was demonstrated the euphemisms
becomes to be more and more used. It should be taken in consideration that each
euphemism is used with the main aim or to emphasize or to hide something, it
becomes a little bit hard to make correct t he distinctions and intentions. One more
important thing that should be mentioned is the fact that the majority of
euphemisms used in the political speech are the political ones; social euphemisms
aren’t also few in number. Speaking about the military kind of euphemisms can be
seen that they are used mainly in that kind of discourse that are focused on military
issues, for instance in Barack Obama’s speech about the ending the military
intervention in Iraq can be identified many military euphemisms for inst ance:
aggression , destructive weapons . Sex and disease euphemisms are usually used in
speeches with social background. Several examples such as: transgender, bisexual,
special needs were identified in Barack Obama’s State of the Union Speech .
(Appendix I, figure three )

35
2.2. Stylistic and Semantic Analysis to Euphemisms and their
Functions in the Political Discourse
Euphemisms are used in different spheres of life without considering which
euphemism to use and when, however, it is not so easy to classify them as there is
no uniform standard.
Euphemisms can be classified according to different criteria, rules, or
principles. Different types of euphemisms can be found at the same time in the
same political speech. Each euphemism can have its own stylistic and sema ntic
characteristics. Euphemisms also have their particular way of forming, the most
common way for majority is represented by the semantic innovation which is
subdivided into: particularization, figurative expressions such as: metaphor and
metonymy, rever sal or irony, litotes or in other words understatement and the last
one overstatement or so called hyperbole. This classification can perceived as
stylistic characteristics of euphemisms. According to the semantically point of
view euphemisms fall into one of the following group: profession euphemisms,
disease euphemisms, death euphemisms, sex euphemisms, crime euphemisms and
the last one political euphemism.
Except this euphemisms also have another characteristic, their function.
General functions of euphe misms in the political discourses are: to make the
unreasonable seem reasonable, the blamed seem blameless, and the powerless
seem powerful, to communicate smoothly and to avoid conflict, to hide or to
emphasize something. It represents a kind of manipulation of language by the
government and m ilitary in reporting or discussing something.
Each example of euphe mism indicated in Appendix two can have its own
different characteristics and its particular function. This depends on the intention of
using euphemisms as well as on the period of time w hen the political discourse
was delivered.
Actually, in our life there are some things that should not be stated bluntly or
truthfully that there are times when it is necessary, even wise, not to call a spade a

36
spade but to use some better -sounding name. For instance , in Martin Luther King’s
discourse I have a dream , in the sentence It came as a joyous daybreak to end the
long night of captivity . Here night of captivity is a euphem ism, according to the
semantic classification this euphemism can be treated as political one because as
we know many black people’s ancestors were captured to be slaves and lead a
harsh life, this is connected with political ruler of that time. It is also an
unconscious kind of euphemism, because it wasn’t used those times as well as
these times as hackneyed construction. Speaking about the way of forming this
euphemism it should be mentioned that this euphemism was formed by the means
of figurative expressions, night of captivity being in this case a metaphor, captivity
being comp ared with the night that usually is characterized by the black color, by
the fear. The main function of this euphemism is to accentuate the vulnerable
situation of black people, to show the reality, nowadays in order to avoid any kind
of discrimination thi s name was replaced by the euphemism as American African.
(M.L.K. Aug.28.)
Another example those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam
and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to
business as usual . Here a rude awa kening represents a euphemism. According to
the semantical features this is a political euphemism with negative connotation, it’s
a political because it touches the problem of discrimination of that time which is
closely connected with the politics of that period, as the previous example this is
also an unconscious kind of euphemism, as it doesn’t occur in English language as
a dead construction. According to the stylistic features a rude awakening is a
metaphor. By making this statement, Martin Luther King warns those who
discriminate the black people that if they continue doing what has been doing from
now on, they will surely have bad and unpleasant experience, for the blacks will no
longer stay calm but resort to violence. By using such euphemism, a plea sant way
to comfort the blacks and soften the shock of the reality, Martin Luther King
succeeded in earning audience’s respects and thus arousing their feeling by using
euphemisms. (M.L.K. Aug.28.)

37
Martin Luther King ha used in his famous speech I have a d ream a number
of notable euphemisms that perform really an important functions. For instance, in
the sentences: One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled
by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination and they live on a
lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity , here the
manacles of segregation and a vast ocean of material prosperity are euphemisms.
These euphemisms bring striking images to the audience’s minds and leave a
powe rful impression on them, also these euphemisms require greater ability on the
part of the audience to perceive the hidden associations, the insight into persons,
things or ideas that are implied. Martin Luther King’s euphemisms have the main
function to a nimate and humanize that is inanimate. (M.L.K. Aug.28.)
Analyzing the semantic and stylistic features of above euphemisms there can
be indicated that both euphemisms are political ones as their touch the political
issue from that time. The euphemism the manacle of segregation is classified as
negative one, because it shows the cruel reality of the black’s situation, of course
their situation were not good at all. Another example of euphemism a vast ocean of
material prosperity carries a positive connotati on, showing the economic situation
of American country, but it owns some elements of negative connotation as it is
used with the aim to underline that despite the fact that America is a rich country,
the majority of its black citizens live in poverty. Bot he euphemisms are built by
the means of semantic innovation, by the figurative expressions. Both of them are
metaphors but the euphemism a vast ocean of material prosperity can be treated as
an overstatement, American material prosperity being compared wit h the vast
ocean. (M.L.K. Aug.28.)
The last example of euphemism used by Martin Luther King in his famous
speech I have a dream that is analyzed in this thesis in found in this sentence: One
hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corn ers of American
society and finds himself an exile in his own land . Here exile in his own land is an
example of euphemism. This is a political euphemism, it is characterized by the
political word exile , according to the semantical point of view it is a kin d of

38
unconscious euphemism with negative connotation. In general the verb to exile
cannot be treated as something positive. Being stylistically analyzed this
euphemism was built by the means of semantic innovation, and it can be perceived
as irony. It can be treated as irony because it seems self -contradictory to the
established fact. However, after further thinking it proved to be true. During that
time black people had no civil right at all. They were always driven out their
homeland by the whites. As thi s euphemism presents the picture of living
conditions of the black people its main function in this discourse is to earn
audiences’ empathy. (M.L.K. Aug.28.)
The Euphemisms that are used by Martin Luther King in his honored
political speech performed the main function of emphasizing by using them Martin
Luther King tried to persuade the blacks to carry on their struggle by non -violent
means for the justice and freedom promised to them by the Emancipation
Proclamation. He is trying to emphasize the fact tha t they, black people are in very
vulnerable position and it is necessary to perform a change in the society because it
is cruel to be treated as were Negroes. Except this Martin Luther King was trying
to underline through the euphemisms that America is a r ich country and it can
provide equal living conditions for everybody, it is a country that will not prosper
if the discrimination will be still tolerated. The euphemisms that were mentioned
above can be considered the key thing that makes this speech such a standout:
heart.
Next examples of euphemism that will be analyzed are taken from Barack
Obama’s speech The S tate of the Union . In comparison with Martin Luther King in
Barack Obama’s discourse the number of euphemisms is bigger and they differ
slightly in their characteristics. One example of euphemism can be identified in
this sentence: condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or
people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender . Here lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender are euphe mism s. According to semantic classification all these
euphemisms are included in the group of sexual euphemisms. According to another
criterion the following euphemisms have positive connotation in this sentence and

39
they are included in the category of con scious euphemisms as they are headache
constructions. As it was mentioned these examples of euphemisms have positive
connotation in this sentences because they are used to emphasize that there is no
discrimination among Americans. All these examples except the euphemisms guy
are formed by the means of loan words, as they are borrowed from Latin and
Greek Language. (B.O Jan. 20)
The main function of these euphemisms in Barack Obama’s discourse is to
emphasize that American nation do not tolerate the discrim ination no matter what
king of sexual preference do you have, this is your choice and Americans will
accept and will not judge your decision. Here should be mentioned that in this
sentence it is not underlining only the discrimination between persons who h ave
different sexual preferences but also persons who have also different confessions,
and also there is no tolerated discrimination of women. These euphemisms point
out that the government ruled by Barack Obama will never judge American
citizens by their beliefs, orientation, and this government will always support and
encourage them.
Another example of euphemism that is included into another semantic group
can be identified in this sentence: We will extend a hand if you are willing to
unclench your fis t. Here unclench fist is an example of crime euphemism. It is also
included in the group of conscious euphemisms. According to the stylistic
characteristics this example of euphemism is formed by the means of semantic
innovation and it can be perceived as a metaphor. In this sentence there is another
example of euphemism this is extend a hand. This kind of euphemism is a political
one as it touches the issue about the conflict with terrorists, the actual problem or it
is better to call it a challenge that A merica is facing. As the previous one this is
also conscious type of euphemism but with positive connotation. This euphemism
is built by the means of semantic innovation and being stylistically analyzed it can
be classified as a metonymy, extend a hand mea ns to offer help. [B.O Jan. 20]
In this sentence it is rather impossible to speak about the function of each
euphemism as their both are closely connected to each other. This means that they

40
perform the same function in the discourse. They are used with the aim to
emphasize that in case if terrorists will give app their intention to organize different
attacks, American government is ready to help them. American is a peaceful
nation.
Barack Ob ama has used in his discourse not only sex and crime
euphemisms, in his speech there are also a big number of political euphemisms.
For instance: in the sentence Mr. Putin’s aggression was a masterful display of
strategy and strength, aggression is an exam ple of political euphemism. Taking
into account other semantic characteristics aggression is an example of negative
euphemism; it is a negative one because it has negative consequences. As the
previous ones this is also an example of conscious euphemism. A nalyzing the way
of forming or stylistic features this euphemism is built by the means of suffixed
derivation. (B.O Jan. 20)
The main function of this euphemism is to point out the Russian military
implication in Ukraine. Despite the fact that the whole wo rld is trying to avoid the
confirmation of Russian implication in the Ukrainian conflict, Barack Obama
declare and condemn with any kind of hesitations Russian aggression. So the key
function of euphemism aggression is to show the reality of the Ukrainian situation.
Another and very interesting example of euphemism can be identified in this
example: Americans with special needs. In this case the whole sentence can be
treated as a euphemistic construction . This euphemistic construction is formed by
means of semantic innovation, being represented by the metonymy, special needs
staying instead of disabilities; this means persons who suffer from different
psychical and locomotors problems. According to semantic point of view this
euphemism is classified as disea se euphemism. It is also an example of positive
euphemism, and it is used consciously. (B.O Jan. 20)
This euphemistic construction perform s the function of diminishing the
degree of the problem; it is used to omit discrimination. It is considered impolite to
use person with disabilities and in order to avoid this rudeness it is appropriate to

41
replace it with persons with special needs, as it is used in Barack Obama’s
discourse.
An example of euphemism which is built up by the mean s of a loan word
can be identified in the following example: As Americans, we respect human
dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I have prohibited torture . Here
the word torture performs the function of euphemism. Being classified
semantically it is a political euph emism. This political euphemism is formed by the
means of the suffixed derivation but it can be also formed through loan words, as
torture is a word that comes from French language. Being analyzed from other
semantic criteria torture can be classified as a negative euphemism that is used
unconsciously. (B.O Jan. 20)
This euphemism is used to underline that the American nation will respect
the human dignity even if they are kept into torture. This is a characteristic of this
nation that Barack Obama was tryi ng to underline in his discourse. By using this
euphemism Barack Obama has the intention to support and encourage the
American nation that in the latest years is threatened by the terroristic attacks.
A remarkable example of euphemism used in The S tate of the Union
discourse is concentrated in this affirmation: We memorize our first patriots who
never knew the independence they won with their lives. In this statement the word
patriots can be treated as a euphemism. It is an example of political euphemism.
Trying to characterize it according to other criteria of sematic classification this
euphemism is a positive one which is used unconsciously. Speaking about the way
of forming here it was used the loan technique, patriot being a borrowed word from
the French language. (B.O Jan. 20)
Usually , when in the discourses is touched the issue about Iraq or
Afghanistan problems euphemisms as patriots, combat missions and many other
are widely used. These euphemisms are used for manipulation the audience and for
maski ng the reality. In this case euphemism patriots used with positive connotation
perform the function of underlying the real price of democracy and freedom,
Barack Obama was trying to point out that independence was gain with an

42
expensive price and those per sons who have scarified their life in behave of
independence should be treated and memorized as heroes, they fight with the price
of their life but in final they didn’t manage to see independence of this state, they
have done this not for them but for gene ration to come. (B.O Jan. 20)
Barack Obama is considered to be a master of handling euphemisms in his
political speeches, he usually does this first of all to encourage and motivate the
American nation; of course he uses euphemisms for hiding some facts re lated to
different conflicts as Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran. This is also done with a
specific purpose avoiding the destabilization of American society.
It is a well -known fact that there is a difference between American and
British variety of language. This difference manifests itself not only in the culture
but also in the tendency of using language. For instance: Americans are trying to
simplify grammar, the spelling rules while Brits are trying to follow the strict
existing rules. In this thesis are a nalyzed examples of euphemisms used by
American and British the British political leaders. Below are analyzed euphemistic
constructions used by British political leader Winston Churchill in his discourse
delivered at Zurich University. In his speech he spoke about the European situation
after the Second World War.
In the following example: Germany must be deprived of the power to rearm
and make another aggressive war, aggressive war is a euphemism. According to
the semantic classification it is a political euphemism with negative connotation. In
this discourse this euphemism is used consciously. Revising the way of forming
this euphemism was formed by the mean of semantic innovation, especially by the
mean of figurative expression, aggressive war being a me taphor. Speaking about
the function of this euphemism in the political speech can be mention that it is used
with the aim to focus audience attention in order to explain them that such mistake
that has committed Germany should be prevented. The used euphem ism also has
elements of hyperbole, in other words elements of exaggeration. These elements
underline the negativity and dangerousness of war. War in general supposes
aggression; it cannot be a peaceful war. Analyzing this can be affirmed that

43
aggressive w ar is also a tautology. So from this example can be deduced that being
analyzed from the stylistic point of view, an euphemism can be at the same time
several stylistic devices as in previous case, aggressive war is first of all an
euphemism, then it is al so a hyperbole and a tautology. (W.Ch.Sep.19)
It can be noticed that in Winston Churchill’s discourse the number of
euphemism are limited. It was notices a tendency among British political leaders,
they are a little bit reserved in their political speeches and declarations.
Another quite difficult example of euphemism can be found in this sentence:
Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for
more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It's not alway s a
straight line. It's not always a smooth path. Here a smooth path is a euphemism.
Trying to analyze it from semantical point of view can be said that it is social
euphemism, being classified according to other principles it can be characterized as
a pos itive euphemism. The construction smooth path represents an example of
euphemism that occurs frequently in speaking so it is a headache expression, so
this means that this example is an unconscious type of euphemism. Analyzing the
way of forming, euphemism a smooth path was built by the mean of semantic
innovation, this construction being a metonymy, a smooth path denoting the
absence of problems and difficulties. This euphemism is used for diminishing the
level of difficulty and complexity. Winston Churchi ll was trying to encourage the
audience through speaking about the progress but wanted to underline that in order
to achieve this progress there are a lot of challenges that should be faced, he
mentioned indirectly these challenges by using euphemism a smo oth path .
Summing up this subchapter can be said that the majority of euphemism
taken from indicated speeches fall in the group of political ones and have positive
connotation; a little number of them fall in the group of unconscious euphemisms.
The major ity of analyzed euphemisms were formed by the means of semantic
innovation, there were examples formed by the means of derivation and loan words
but they are few in number. The function that was identified was different from
one euphemism to another. (W.Ch.Sep.19)

44
2.3 The Process of Translating Euphemisms in the Political Discourse
The purpose of this subchapter is to review some of the theories developed
for defining translation and to provide some initial steps in forming a background
for the transla tion of euphemisms. The translation of euphemisms is still an
unexplored area in translation theory. Furthermore, it will be presented some of the
main ideas of theory and practice of translating euphemistic constructions from
political discourse.
Transl ation is an act of communication which attempts to relay, across
cultural and linguistic boundaries, another act of communication. Translating in
some form is as old as language itself but the translation has become the target of
serious studies only in th e past few decades. Translation theory’s main concern is
to determine appropriate translation methods for the widest possible range of texts,
provide a framework of principles, restricted rules and hints for translating and
criticizing texts and to give so me insight into the relation between thought,
meaning and language. All of these factors have contributed to the birth of a
variety of translation. All these varieties of translation are classified according to
different criteria: for instance according to the formal type there 3types of
translation: oral and written, mixed, computer -based or machine translation. These
types are widely used. Except these there are many other types classified according
to many other criteria such as: back translation, vernac ular translation, loan
translation, literal translation, idiomatic translation etc.
Euphemisms are words or stretches of words used in various forms of
discourse where the author intends to express a thought or an emotion, which if
communicated bluntly, would cause the receptor embarrassment and/or emotional
pain. Their usage is normally governed by the social, cultural, and religious norms
of a given community during a given period. By their very nature, the use of
euphemisms involves a certain degree of conscious and deliberate distortion. In the
case of political euphemisms, the distortion may rise to the level of willful
deception.

45
As each language has its specific nature of euphemisms, their translation can
be somewhat challenging at times. Euphemisms must be recognized, understood
and analyzed before appropriate translation methods can be considered. One must,
first of all, be able to spot euphemisms from a text – it is absolutely crucial that a
translator recognizes a euphemism when she/he sees one. The ability to identify
euphemism is of enormous importance, since their meaning should never be
understood literally. The first crucial step in the translation of euphemisms is to be
absolutely certain of the meaning of the source language euphemism. Ther efore the
most important issue in translating euphemisms is the ability to distinguish the
difference between the literal meaning and the real meaning of the expression. It is,
thus, only after identifying the non -literal meaning of the euphemism that a
translator can even think of translating the expression into the target language. In
addition to being able to recognize euphemisms in a source text, the translator must
also be able to use euphemisms fluently and competently in the target language.
The fin al difficulty, then, is to find a Target Language expression with the
same meaning. The problem lies in the fact that a euphemistic construction in one
language rather often does not have a fixed equivalent construction in another
language. The translator has to think of an appropriate translation strategy for the
phrase.
The process of translating euphemisms in written or in oral form isn’t easy
at all. Euphemism falls into different groups and depending on the type of
euphemism are used a special type of translation. Loan translation is practiced in
the process of interpreting or written translating political, disease, sex euphemisms.
Euphemisms belong to a class of words or stretch of words whose literal meaning
is not the real or intended meaning. In thi s respect they share a feature that is in
common with other rhetorical linguistic devices such as metaphors, proverbs and
idioms.
Like fixed expressions, euphemisms normally allow little variation in form
at both the word and stretch levels. Unlike fixed expressions, however, they can
change over time due to social and cultural changes and may even lose their

46
euphemistic characteristics or may become dead euphemisms which are easier to
translate. Like idioms, the meaning of euphemisms is not always given b y the
individual words and has to be derived from an understanding of the social and
cultural context in which they occur.
In terms of form and function, euphemisms come closest to metaphors. The
word ‘metaphor’ is derived from the Greek metaphora meaning transference.
Metaphors are loaded with layers of meaning and should be analyzed semantically,
trying to establish how meanings are formed through the signs of the language
system and their interrelations with other signs in their cultural context. This is
similar to what has to be done in translating euphemisms which are often
expressed in metaphorical form; e.g. night of captivity . (M.L.K Aug.28)
Related to the study of euphemisms, are the notions of irony, face saving
and politeness. Euphemisms being a f orm of softening up the use of language in a
given situation in order to be polite in certain social settings or to save the face of
the interlocutors, whether it is being the sender or the receiver, are much similar to
the notions of politeness and face s aving. Equally, the use of irony in language has
similar purposes to these of the use of euphemisms. As the main feature of irony is
an indirect presentation of contradiction between an action or expression and the
context in which it occurs can be said th at euphemism and irony share almost the
same aspects. It should be taken in consideration that it is quite difficult to translate
irony because it is difficult for the majority of translator to handle the ironical
meaning. This means that in cases when a euphemism possesses elements of irony
it is difficult to translate it in Romanian. For instance in the Martin Lu ther King’s
discourse there is such example of euphemism: exile in his own land being
translated into Romanian as exilați în propria lor țară . In Romanian this
expression has kept its euphemistic and ironic characteristics. (M.L.K Aug.28)
Examples of euphemisms that are taken from the mentioned in the previous
subchapter political discourses have been translated into Romanian by using
different techniques of translation. The majority of them are translated by using the
Calque technique that supposes a phrase borrowed from another language and

47
translated literally word -for-word. Another widely used technique used by
translators is literal techniq ue that represents word for word translation.
Modulation and Borrowing are two more techniques that are used in the process of
translating euphemisms from political speeches.
One example of euphemism that was quite difficult for translator to identify
and then to translate it can be found in this example: I would like to talk to you
about the end of our combat mission , the ongoing security challenges we face, and
the need to rebuild our nation here at home ; combat mission being a tricky
euphemism. It was challenging for translator to identify it because he/she needs
some additional background information related to the topic. Barack Obama was
speaking about the Americans combat mission in Iraq ; the translator should be
very carefully in the process of tra nslating, he/she must decide or to explain in
details that a combat mission supposes or to translate it by using an Romanian
euphemism. In this case translator has decided to translate this euphemism by
using the technique of Calque e.g. combat mission being translated into Romanian
as misiune militara . This is a good way of translating but rather complicated
because it doesn’t have any elements of euphemism and it rather emphasize the
aim of American mission in Iraq, this k ind of translation can lead to a serious
conflict between nations. This euphemism should be translated into Romanian by
using the technique of Adding for instance combat mission can be translated as
misiune de mentinere a stabilitatii pacii . In such a way any kind of conflict is
prevente d. (B.O Apr.11)
One more example of delicate euphemism is concentrated in this sentence:
We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks . Here the
construction to hunt down terrorists represents an euphemism. In Romanian it was
transl ated by using Literal technique as: sa-i vanam pe teroristi . In general the
choice of words is good, but the Literal technique is not the appropriate one.
Modulation technique is the right one in this case, by using it this euphemism can
be translated into Romanian as a euphemism such as : sa facem presiune asupra
gruparilor extremiste . (B.O. Jan.20)

48
As it was mentioned in the previous chapter euphemisms are used for
avoiding conflicts but not for raising them. In order to avoid any kind of conflict
the words in the process of translating should be carefully chosen. In the latest time
for avoiding discrimination the word terrorist is translated into Romanian as
extremist. That is why it will be much better to use Modulation technique rather
the Literal on e in the process of translation euphemisms from political discourses.
In the following sentence: We’re upholding the principle that bigger nations
can’t bully the small – by opposing Russian aggression, and supporting Ukraine’s
democracy, and reassuring o ur NATO allies; the construction bigger nations
represents an euphemism. It is a tricky kind of euphemism as it is quite difficult to
identify it as it is a hackneyed construction . This example of euphemism is
translated into Romanian by the means of Modul ation translation technique as:
marile puteri . This is an English euphemism that has its equ ivalent euphemism
into Romanian; additionally it can be translated by using the same translation
technique as: polii echilibrului de putere instead of marile puteri , this expression is
widely used in the term of geopolitics. (B.O.Jan.20)
Except the Literal, Calque and Modulation techniques of translation there is
one more technique that is widely used in the process of translating euphemisms.
This is the Borrowed tec hnique. In the following sentence: We condemn the
persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual or transgender ; there several sex euphemisms such as: lesbian , gay,
bisexual and transgender that were translated into Romanian by using this
technique. So in Romanian language these examples of euphemisms sound like:
lesbiene, homosexuali , bisexuali sau transgenderi , it can be clear seen that these
euphemisms have kept their root origin and that is way they are considered to be
borrowed words, but in our case euphemisms. These examples of euphemisms
could be translated by using another euphemistic construction with a neutral
connotation for instance instead of lesbiene, homosexuali , bisexuali or
transgenderi can be said minoritati sexuale , but this depends on the indention of
speaker, in these case Barack Obama wanted to emphasize that there are no

49
discrimination based on the sexual preferences among American nation. That is
why in this case the Bo rrowing technique is more appropriate for using then the
Modulation one. (B.O.Jan.20)
As it was mentioned it is difficult to translate euphemisms from political
discourses, this process should be performed very carefully and with a greater
degree of respon sibility. In the process of translating euphemisms from political
discourses generally are used 4 main translation techniques as: Calque, Borrowing,
Modulation and Literal technique. It can be clearly observed what are the mostly
and lastly used technique in translation the euphemisms from political discourses.
So the majority of euphemisms were translated by the means of Literal technique,
a significant number of euphemisms were translat ed by using Calque techniques.
Modulation is also widely used. In order not to deviate from the original
euphemisms t ranslator has used mostly Literal technique while trying to diminish
the meaning Modulation technique was used. (Appendix I, figure four )
Speaking about the grammatical transformation that took place in the
process of translation euphemisms here can be mentioned: transformation of parts
of speech, of category of number, word replacement. For instance euphemism
aggressive war is translated in Romanian as o nouă agresiune . Here can be
observed one of the processes of grammatical transformation which is called word
replacement; war was replaced in Romanian by the word a new , so this represents
an example of word replacement. (B.O.Jan.20), (B.O.20 Ian.)
One more example of grammatical transformation can be deduced from this
case: euphemism a smooth path being translated into Romanian as o cale fara
hopuri , the adjective smooth being replaced by the preposition fara and the noun
hopuri . This represe nts an example of replacement of parts of speech. Another
grammatical change that is used in the process of translating euphemisms from
political discourses is the replacement the category of number for instance:
euphemistic construction the Dark Ages which is in the plural form in Romanian it
is translat ed in the singular as perioadă sumbră . (B.O.Apr.11), (B.O.11 Apr.)

50
One additional example which contain other type of grammatical
transformation which is the change of sentence structure as in example: Russia is
isolated with its economy in tatters , in Eng lish this is an euphemistical sentence
while in Romanian it is translated as two sentences with two different subjects:
Rusia este izolata, iar economia sa este distrusa; Rusia este izolata is the first
sentence with the subject Rusia and Economia sa este distrusa is the second
sentence with the subject economia . (B.O.Jan.20), (B.O.20 Ian.)
These represent the main grammatical transformation and the main
translation techniques that were applied in the process of translation the
euphemistic constructions sel ected from the mentioned political speeches.
Summing up this subchapter can be mentioned that the euphemistic constructions
translated from the source language into the target language do not lose their
semantic structure and the majority of them keep thei r euphemistic characteristics
in the target language. In general this tendency is good but taking into account that
euphemisms translated from political speeches usually have a hidden meaning the
translator should pay attention which translation technique and grammatical
transformation can be used in order to achieve the intended goal of speaker.
(Appendix I, figure five )

51
2.4 Difficulties posed by Euphemistic Constructions in The Process of
Translation
Euphemisms are a special kind of constructions that are not easy to be
translated. Euphemisms differ from culture to culture, they have their own cultural
characteristics and these characteristics make the job of the translator more
difficult.
Analyzing 150 examples of euphemisms taken from 4 different political
discourses, there were identified several challenges that translator should face in
the process of translating them. Among those challenges the most prominent are:
difficulty in identifying an euphemistic expression in the source language, anot her
problem is the difficulty in understanding the linguistic form of the euphemistic
construction in the source language, impediment in the process of understanding
the origin of euphemistic constructions in the source language, two more
difficulties are related with the process of finding an equivalent in the target
language and the impediment in deciding what to do when an euphemistic
expression from the source language don’t have an equivalent expression in the
target language.
One of the main problems for the translator of euphemisms is to feel in
which case a combination of words represents euphemisms in the source text. This
is more difficult than it looks. The translator should be familiarized with the
process of finding a formal equivalence without recognizing that the word or word
combination in some cases is a euphemistic construction. This is a problematic
challenge because in some cases the translated text may or may not create the
identical effect in the target language as in the source languag e. In case when the
translator has an insufficient background of knowledge about the linguistic origin
of the expression, much of the semantic structure can be lost in the translation. So
this means that it is important for a translator to have a rich back ground about the
cultural genealogy of the linguistic expression in the source text in order to decode
its meaning and keep the same semantical structure as in the target language. It is
not enough for the translator to know only the origin of the euphemis tic

52
constructions in the source language, the translator should have a good background
of information about the original culture including its religion, social and cultural
norms, politics and history, otherwise the translator will not be able to understan d
the reasons of using euphemisms and the content of the euphemistic construction.
The translator must have the ability and competence to initiate himself mentally
into the source culture trying to figure out why there is a euphemism in the first
place, an alyze the structure of its lexical and semantic formulation, decode the
intended but hidden meaning, determine the communicative function; it is
supposed to perform, and asses the relationship between the sender and the
receiver in the source culture.
The difficulties of translating euphemisms are created by the nature of
euphemisms and the identical linguistic devices that tend to be culturally laden and
the situation when the literal meaning is not the intended meaning. Euphemisms
are those stylistic cons tructions that are created in a culture that possess its own
beliefs, its value system that are characterized by such things as: traditions,
religion, prohibitions, taboos, hierarchies, regulation of social practices. It should
be taken into consideration that a subject might be forbidden in one culture is not
necessary to be tabooed in another. The same situation can be with the world
knowledge of one society may not be the same for other societies. These
differences in metalinguistic factors shape and inf orm the language idiosyncrasies
of a given culture over time. They also determine the way according to which one
culture understood, use, interpret, and react to another culture. Since euphemisms
have appeared with their codified meaning in mind, the trans lator has to decide
what his responsibility in the translation process is. Is he that person that will
decode that meaning or is he that person that will continue to codify the meaning
of euphemistic expression?
Let’s admit that translator has already ide ntified and located correctly the
euphemistic construction from a political discourse in its cultural and linguistic
genealogy in the source culture , this doesn’t mean that he/she has done his/her
work, not at all. Next the translator faces the challenge of finding a formal or

53
functional equivalency in the target language. As euphemisms are culturally and
linguistically bounded expressions, equivalencies in both source language and
target language are not readily available for the majority of them. In some cases, it
may be possible to find a semantically and functionally equivalent expression in
both the source language and target language but in some cases it may be
impossible. These are cases when there are used special expression characteristics
for spec ial events specific for each culture for instance: death, wading. In such
cases there will be functionally, but not semantically, equivalent expressions in
both the source language and target language in which case a gloss translation can
be given without much loss in meaning. But th ere are cases when neither a
functionally nor a semantically equivalency is available and the translator should
create a new expression in the target language or to use a borrowed foreign
expression but if it is difficult the tr anslator can simply omit the euphemistic
constructions, in case of political discourses this choice isn't considered the best
one, as in politic each word has a great importance.
The translator's ability and competence in analyzing the culturally,
symbolic ally and contextually specific expression helps to perform a high quality
translation. It assumes a good grounding in the linguistic and cultural knowledge
of the translator’s own culture and that of the other. But even if the translator
succeeds in all th is, there is still the difficulty that arises when the hidden content
of the expression is ideologically ‐laden, and serves the interests of the source
culture but is harmful in some manner to the target culture. This is especially
relevant in the translati on of political euphemisms where there may be an
adversarial relationship in the political interests of the two cultures involved.
Especially the translation from English into Romanian euphemisms that were
coined in the context of the Gulf War, the so ‐called War on Terror, Aggression,
War on Iraq, and War on Afghanistan. The main issue here relates to the moral
responsibility of the translator towards the target audience. If, for example, a
political euphemism has the function of distorting reality for memb ers of the

54
original or source community by vilifying some aspect of the culture into which
the euphemism is being translated.
This last difficulty goes to the heart of one of the more important questions
in translation studies; namely, the role of the tran slator. Had translation been
confined to the lexical, syntactical and semantic features of the source text, then
the meaning belonged to the text and role of the translator would have been clear;
precisely, to render it equivalent in the target language to as great a degree as
possible. With Pragmatics and Functional Theories becoming more accepted, the
role of the translator has become more active and intrusive. The translator has
come to be seen as someone who interprets controls, negotiates, mediates,
investigates, substitutes, replaces, reflects, and represents; all aspects of
intercultural communication and mediation.
The more intrusive the role of the translator is, the more careful he has to be
in ensuring that justice is done to the original text. Interpreting intentions and
implicates is a more subjective process than giving a formal translation in which
there are more objective rules that govern the lexical, syntactical, and semantic
aspects of the text. This is true of the translation of euphemis ms, and more so in
the case of political euphemisms where issues of ideology, politics, and cultural
conflicts are involved.
So as can be seen it is a very responsible task to translate euphemisms from
political discourse. Politics is the study that either avoids or crates conflicts among
nations. In order to avoid or to intimidate a nation or a party political leaders use
euphemistic constructions. The main task of translator is to express the exact
semantic structure of the discourse, when in the discou rse appear euphemisms the
task become more difficult. In case if the translator will not express the exact
meaning he/she can be punished for this, in case if she/he will exaggerate in
expressing something he/she also will be punished but his/her statement can lead to
serious conflicts even among nations, that is why the process of translating
euphemistic constructions is very tricky. For instance the euphemism combat
mission was translated into Romanian as misiune militară , this is a kind of

55
translation that can lead to conflict, as the American mission in Iraq was not
military but with the main goal to promote democracy and to stabilize peace in that
country. Other countries can accuse America for its military intervention. Another
way of translating thi s euphemism can be in the following way: misiune de
menținere a stabilității păcii , but in order to translate in this way the translator
should know what combat mission represents and what is the main aim of this
mission, why American decided to perform th is mission in Iraq. That is why
euphemistic constructions from political speeches represent a big challenge for the
majority of translators. It is not enough to have a good level of knowledge of the
source language and target language, historical and cultu ral background are also an
important part that should be improved daily.

56
Conclusion
The purpose of this study was to analyze the semantic and structural features
of the euphemistic constructions that are used in the political speeches and to
investigate the theoretical and practical issues that face the translator when
translating euphemistic constructions from English into Romanian. It was
demonstrated that euphemisms are linguistic devices whose intended meaning
doesn’t correspond to their literal meaning.
The research question that was answered in this stu dy was: what kind of
euphemism is used in the political speeches and what are their semantic and
structural features. The analysis was based and illustrated while analyzing 150
examp les of euphemisms found in the political discourses.
The result of the research have shown that in the political speeches are found
the majority of political and social kind of euphemisms, this demonstrates that
politicians are strongly inclined to use eup hemistic language when disco using
various issues related to different military interventions, to economic problems, to
discrimination issues. On the contrary, discourses on civil and public services
policy contain the lowest number of political euphemisms ; social types of
euphemisms predominate.
Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the euphemistic constructions from
political speeches perform the following functions: politeness, taboo, hiding,
emphasizing, diminishing. The most frequent function perfor med by the
unpleasant reality by using more positive and acceptable words.
In terms of structural features, the widely used structural feature of
euphemistic constructions from political discourses was compounding. The widely
used structural feature was de rivation, especially by using suffixes. Euphemisms
from political speeches were not formed by the means of phonemic modification
and sub -category of onomatopoeia which demonstrates that these aren’t typical
means of forming euphemisms used in political spe eches. Thus, the category of

57
loan words was practiced in the following examples: demonstration, aggression ,
which represents French borrowings.
Regarding the semantic innovation the majority of euphemisms were based
on metaphorical transfer which means it is the most frequent semantic feature of
euphemisms from political speeches, while the sub -categories of metonymy and
hyperbole were poorly represented. The sub -category of particularization, reversal
and overstatement are not typical structural features o f euphemisms from political
speeches.
It was demonstrated that in the latest decade there is a tendency among
political leaders to use euphemisms, the analysis has revealed that one of the
political leaders who handles very well euphemisms is Barack Obama, it can be
identified a lot of example of euphemisms, different types and each of them
performing a special function. For encouraging and manipulating the audience
Barack Obama uses mainly positive types of euphemisms. Another American
political leader th at is considered master in using euphemisms is George Bush, in
comparison with Barack Obama who uses mainly social euphemisms; the majority
of euphemisms used by George Bush are military ones. Even in his last discourse
about the state of American Nation, George Bush uses a lot of military
euphemisms instead of social ones. Trying to compare the American political
leaders with British ones can be concluded that British political leaders are more
retired when speaking about a tricky issue, they usually avoi d to address some
statements that can lead to a conflict, they uses mainly political correctness rather
than euphemism; the number of euphemisms in their discourses are limited.
In this thesis are underlined the most frequent difficulties posed by the
euphemisms in the process of translation. These difficulties arise from the fact that
culturally, socially, religiously and ideologically laden terms have different
functions in different contexts . These functions may not be the same in the target
language as in the source language.

58
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61
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62
Appendix 1
Figure 1. The Classification of Euphemisms .

Semantic Innovation
Rhyming Slang Abbreviation
Phonemic
Replacement Black Slang
Acronyms Derivation Onomatopoeia Compunding
Formal Innovation
Phonemic
Modification Loan Words Word Formation
Devices(1) Euphemisms
Particularisation
Implications
Metaphors
Metonyms
Reversals
Blends
Understatement
Overstatement

63
Figure 2. The Tendency of Using Euphemistic Constructions in the Political
Discourses .

0,00%1,00%2,00%3,00%4,00%5,00%6,00%7,00%8,00%9,00%
Winston Churchill's
Discourse, Zurich 1946Martin Luther King's
Discourse "I have a
dream", 1963Barack Obama's
Inaugural Adress
Discourse, 2009Barack Obama's State
of the Union
Discourse, 2015

64
Figure3. Types of Euphemisms used in the Political Discourses.

Political Euphemisms 61%
Social Euphemisms 30%
Sex Euphemisms 7%
Crime and Disease Euphemisms 2%

65
Figure4. General Translation Methods used in the Process of Tranlsation the
Euphemistic Construction from Political Discourses

Literal 47%
Borrowing 13%
Modulation 11%
Calque

66
Figure 5. Types of Grammatical Changes used in the Process of Translation
Euphemisms

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
Word Replacement Part of Speech
ReplacementChange of the Category
of Number

67
Appendix 2

Nr. English Euphemism Tranlation into
Romanian Type of
Euphemism Translation
Technique
1. Fifteen years that
dawned with terror
touching our shores
that unfolded with a
new generation
fighting two long and
costly wars.
(B.O.Jan.20) 15 ani de care au fost
umbriti de terorism , in
care o noua generatie lupta
in doua lungi si
costisitoare
razboaie. (B.O.20 Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
2. Democracy in a nation
of 300 million can be
noisy and messy and
complicated .
(B.O.Jan.20) Democrația într-o țară de
300 de milioane poate
părea complicată,
dezordonată și găl ăgioasă .
(B.O.20 Ian.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
3. We can never forget
that as we speak,
people in distant
nations are risking
their lives right now
just for a chance to
argue about the issues
that matter the chance
to cast their ballots like
we did today.
(B.O.Jan.20) Nu putem uita că oamenii
din țările mai îndepărtate
își riscă viața doar pentru o
șansă de a se expune în
privința problemelor lor
care contează, pentru
șansa să poată vota așa
cum am votat noi astăzi.
(B.O.20 Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
4. We want our children
to live in an America
that isn't burdened by
debt, that isn't
weakened up by
inequality, that isn't
threatened by the
destructive power of a
warming planet.
(B.O.Jan.20) Vrem ca copii noștri să
trăiască în America care
nu este îngropată în
datorii , care nu este slăbită
de inegalitate, care nu este
amenințată de forța
distructivă a încălzirii
globale. (B.O.20 Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

68
5. It moves forward
because you
reaffirme d the spirit
that has triumphed
over war and
depression, the spirit
that has lifted this
country from the
depths of despair to the
great heights of hope .
(B.O.Jan.20) Mergem înainte deoarece
ați reafirmat spiritul care a
triumfat asupra războ iului
și problemelor economice,
spiritul care a ridicat
această țară de la
adâncurile disperării la
mari înălțimi de speranță.
(B.O.20 Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
6. Tonight, more than
200 years after a
former colony won the
right to determine its
own destiny, the task
of perfecting our union
moves forward .
(B.O.Jan.20) În seara asta, acum 200 de
ani, după ce fosta colonie
a câștigat dreptul de a -și
construi propriul destin,
avem datoria să
perfecționăm uniunea
noastră pe viit or.
(B.O.20 Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique
7. It moves forward
because you
reaffirmed the spirit
that has triumphed
over war and
depression.
(B.O.Jan.20) Mergem înainte deoarece
ați reafirmat spiritul care a
triumfat asupra războiului
și pro blemelor economice.
(B.O.20 Ian.) Social
Euphemism

Modulation
Technique
8. We are an American
family , and we rise or
fall together as one
nation and as one
people. (B.O.Jan.20) Suntem o familie
americană și ne vom
ridica, sau cădea împreună
ca o singură națiune și ca
un singur popor.
(B.O.20 Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique
9. What makes America
exceptional are the
bonds that hold
together the most
diverse nation on
Earth. (B.O.Jan.20) Ce face America să fie
excepțională sunt relațiile
care ne țin uniți cu cele
mai diferite națiuni din
lume. (B.O.20 Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique
10. One hundred years
later, the Negro is still
languished in the
corners of American
society and finds
himself an exile in his O sută de ani mai târziu,
negrii se află tot la
marginea
societății americane , fiind
exilați în propria lor țară.
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

69
own land .
(M.L.K.Aug.28 )
11. When the architects of
our republic wrote the
magnificent words of
the Constitution and
the Declaration of
Independence, they
were signing a
promissory note to
which every American
was to fall heir.
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) Când arhtecții republicii
noastre au scris marile
cuvinte ale Constituției și
ale Declarației de
Independență, ei au
semnat o poliță pe care ar
fi trebuit ca toți americanii
să o poată încasa .
(M.L.K.28 Aug.)
Political,
Euphemism
Calque
Technique
12. One hundred years
later, the life of the
Negro is still sadly
crippled by the
manacles of
segregation and the
chains of
discrimination .
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) O sută de ani mai
târziu, viața negrilor suferă
în continuare de pe urma
cătușelor segregării rasiale
și a lanțurilor grele ale
discriminării.
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
13. Instead of honoring
this sacred obligation ,
America has given the
Negro people a bad
check.
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) În loc să -și îndeplinească
obligațiile cele sfinte ,
America a oferit negrilor
un cec fără acoperire.
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
14. Now is the time to rise
from the dark and
desolate valley of
segregation to the
sunlit path of racial
justice .
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) A venit vremea să ieșim
din prăpastia întunecată a
segregării rasiale și să
purcedem pe drumul
strălucitor al dreptății
pentru toate rasele.
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
15. You have been the
veterans of creative
suffering .
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) Voi sunteți veteranii
suferințelor creatoare.
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
16. It came as a joyous
daybreak to end the
long night of their
captivity.
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) Aceasta a venit ca zorii
fericiți ai unei zile răsărite
după o lungă noapte de
prizonierat .
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

70
17. And those who hope
that the Negro needed
to blow off steam and
will now be content
will have a rude
awakening if the
nation returns to
business a s usual.
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) Cine speră că negrii se vor
mulțumi acum
când s -au mai eliberat de
presiune, va avea o
surpriză urâtă atunci când
va constata că
națiunea urmează același
drum ca mai înainte.
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
18. One hundred years
later, the life of the
Negro is still sadly
crippled by the
manacles of
segregation and the
chains of
discrimination.
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) O sută de ani mai
târziu, viața negrilor suferă
în continuare de pe urma
cătușelor segregării
rasial e și a lanțurilor grele
ale discriminării.
(M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
19. But one hundred years
later, the Negro still is
not free .
(M.L.K.Aug.28 ) Cu toate acestea, nici după
o sută de ani negrii nu sunt
liberi. (M.L.K.28 Aug.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
20. We will continue to
hunt down terrorists
and dismantle their
networks. (B.O.Jan.20) Vom continua sa-i vanam
pe teroristi in toata lumea
si sa le distrugem retelele.
(B.O.20Ian.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
and
Modulation
Technique
21. we reserve the right to
act unilaterally, as we
have done relentlessly
since I took office to
take out terrorists who
pose a direct threat to
us and our allies.
(B.O.Jan.20) ne vom rezerva dreptul de
a actiona unilateral, asa
cum n u am incetat
niciodata sa fac acest lucru
de cand am fost ales
pentru a-i elimina pe
teroristi , care reprezinta o
amenintare directa pentru
noi si aliatii nostr i.
(B.O.20Ian.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
and
Modulation
Techniques

22. Instead of getting
dragged into another
ground war in the
Middle East, we are
leading a broad
coalition, including
Arab nations, to
degrade and ultimately In loc de a fi prinsi intr -un
nou razboi terestru in
Orientul Mijloc iu, vom
conduce o coalitie larga,
care va cuprinde tari arabe,
pentru a slabi si, in cele
din urma, pentru a distruge
aceasta grupare terorista. Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

71
destroy this terrorist
group. (B.O.Jan.20) (B.O.20Ian.)
23. We’re upholding the
principle that bigger
nations c an’t bully the
small – by opposing
Russian aggression,
and supporting
Ukraine’s democracy,
and reassuring our
NATO allies.
(B.O.Jan.20) Noi aparam principiul
potrivit caruia marile
puteri nu pot intimida
(tarile) mici , opunandu -ne
agresiunii rusesti,
sustinand democratia in
Ucraina si reasigurandu -ne
aliatii din NATO . "
(B.O.20Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

24. As Americans, we
respect human
dignity.) It’s why we
speak out against the
deplorable anti –
Semitism that has
resurfaced in certain
parts of the world.
(B.O.Jan.20) In calitate de americani,
noi respectam demnitatea
umana (…). Anume din
acest motiv ne exprimam
impotriva resurgentei
deplorabile a
antisemitismului in unele
parti ale lumii.
(B.O.20Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

25. It’s why we continue
to reject offensive
stereotypes of
Muslims , the vast
majority of whom
share our commitment
to peace. (B.O.Jan.20) Anume din acest motiv
vom continua sa
respingem stereotipurile
jignitoare fa ta de
musulmani , care in mare
parte impartasesc
angajamen tul nostru
pentru pace".(B.O.20Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal and
Borrowing
Technique

26. But new sanctions
passed by this
Congress, at this
moment in time, will
all but guarantee that
diplomacy fails.
(B.O.Jan.20) Adoptarea unor noi
sanctiuni de catre Congres
va semnifica esecul
diplomatiei. (B.O.20Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Tecnique

27. We condemn the
persecution of women,
or religious minorities,
or people who are
lesbian , gay, bisexual
or transgender.
(B.O.Jan.20) condamnam persecutia
femeilor sau a
minoritatilor religioase sau
a persoanelor care sunt
lesbiene, homosexuali,
bisexuali sau transgenderi .
(B.O.20Ian.) Sex
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

72
28. But tonight, we turn
the page. (B.O.Jan.20) Insa in aceasta seara vom
intoarce pagina .
(B.O.20Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

29. The words have been
spoken during rising
tides of prosperity and
the still waters of
peace. (B.O.Jan.20) Cuvintele au fost spuse in
timpul valurilor de
prosperitate si in timpul
apelor linistite de pace.
(B.O.20Ian.) Positive
Euphemism Literal
Technique

30. We the People have
remained faithful to
the ideals of our
forebearers, and true to
our founding
documents.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Noi , poporul am ramas
credinciosi idealurilor
inaintasilor nostri, precum
si documentelor noa stre
fondatoare. (B.O. Apr.11 )
Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

31. Our nation is at war,
against a far-reaching
network of violence
and hatred .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Natiunea nostra este in
razboi, cu o vasta retea de
violenta si ura.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Crime
Euphemism Literal
Technique

32. Our economy is badly
weakened , a
consequence of greed
and irresponsibility on
the part of some, but
also our collective
failure to make hard
choices and prepare
the nation for a new
age. ( B.O. Apr.11 ) Economia noastra este rau
slabita , consecinta a
lacomiei si
iresponsabilitatii unora,
dar si datorita esecului
nostru colectiv de a lua
hotariri dificile si de a
pregati natiunea pentu o
noua era. ( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

33. Less measurable but
no less profound is a
sapping of confidence
across our land — a
nagging fear that
America’s decline is
inevitable, and that the
next generation must
lower its sights.
(B.O. Apr.11 ) Mai putin masurabil dar
nu mai putin profund , este
o grava scadere a
increderii, pe tot cuprinsul
tarii noastre , o teama
acuta ca declinul Americii
este inevitabil ca
urmatoarea generatie va
trebui sa -si plece pivirea.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

34. Today I say to you that
the challenges we face
are real. ( B.O. Apr.11 ) Astazi va spun ca
provocarile pe care le
infruntam sunt reale.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

73
35. We remain a young
nation , but in the
words of Scripture, the
time has come to set
aside childish things .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Suntem in continuare o
natiune tinara , dar dupa
cum spune si Biblia, a
venit timpul sa lasam
copilariile deoparte .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

36. On this day, we come
to proclaim an end to
the petty grievances
and false promises, the
recriminations and
worn -out dogmas, that
for far too long have
strangled our politics .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) In aceasta zi am venit sa
declaram stop plingerilor
marunte si al promisiunilor
mincinoase a acuzatiilor si
a dogmelor invechite care
de mult prea mult timp au
strangulat politica noatra.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

37. We remain a young
nation , but in the
words of Scripture, the
time has come to set
aside childish things .
(B.O. Apr.11 ) Suntem in continuare o
natiune tinara , dar dupa
cum spune si Biblia, a
venit timpul sa lasam
copilariile deoparte .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

38. The time has come to
reaffirm our enduring
spirit ; to choose our
better history; to carry
forward that precious
gift, that noble idea,
passed o n from
generation to
generation.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) A venit timpul sa
reafirmam spiritul nostru
rezistent , sa ne creem o
istorie mai buna, sa ducem
inainte acel pretios cadou,
acea nobila idee transmisa
din generatie in generati e.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

39. In reaffirming the
greatness of our
nation , we understand
that greatness is never
a given. (B.O. Apr.11 ) In reafirmarea maretiei
natiunii noastre , am
inteles ca maretia nu este
data.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

40. It has not been the path
for the fainthearted .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Nu a fost o cale pentru cei
cu inima slaba.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

41. Our journey has never
been one of shortcuts
or settling for less.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Calatoria noastra nu a
fost niciodata care sa o
luam prin scurtaturi , sau
una in care sa ne
multumim cu putin. Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

74
42. We remain the most
prosperous, powerful
nation on Earth .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Raminem cea mai
prospera si puternica
natiune de pe Pamint.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

43. Those who seek to
advance their aims by
inducing terror and
slaughtering innocents,
we say to you now that
our spirit is stronger
and cannot be broken .
(B.O. Apr.11 ) Si pentru cei care isi
urmaresc scopurile prin
teroare si sacrificarea celor
nevinovati, va spunem
tutror acestora ca „ Spiritul
nostru este mai puternic si
nu va putea fi infrint .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

44. we will extend a hand
if you are willing to
unclench your fist .
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Noi va vom intinde mine
daca sunteti dispusi sa va
desclestati pumnul.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Crime
Euphemism Literal
Technique

45. To the people of poor
nations , we pledge to
work alongside.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Pentru oamenii natiunilor
sarace , ne luam
angajamentul de a munci
alaturi de dumneavoastra.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

46. In the face of our
common dangers, in
this winter of our
hardship , let us
remember these
timeless words.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) In fata pericol elor noastre
comune, in aceasta iarna
a greutatilor noatre , sa ne
amintim acele cuvinte fara
virsta.
( B.O. Apr.11 )
Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

47. With hope and virtue,
let us brave once more
the icy currents , and
endure what storms
may come.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Cu speranta si curaj sa
infruntam inca odata cu
vitejie apee inghetate si sa
rezistam furtunilor ce pot
veni.
( B.O. Apr.11 ) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

48. Condemn the
persecution of women,
or religious minorities,
or people who are
lesbian , gay, bisexual
or transgender .
(B.O.Jan.10) condamnam persecutia
femeilor sau a
minoritatilor religioase sau
a persoanelor care sunt
lesbiene , homosexuali ,
bisexuali sau transgenderi.
(B.O.10Ian.) Sex
Euphemism Borrowi ng
and Calque
Technique

75
49. Indeed, but for the fact
that the great republic
across the Atlantic
realised that the ruin
or enslavement of
Europe would involve
her own fate as well,
and stretched out
hands of succour and
guidance, the Dark
Ages would have
returned in all their
cruelty and squalor.
(W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Marea republica de
dincolo de Atlantic a
inteles cu timpul ca ruina
sau sclavia Europei ar
pune in joc propriul sau
destin si atunci a intins o
mana de ajutor fara de care
o perioada sumbra s -ar
anunta cu toate ororile
sale. (W.Ch.19 Sep.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

50. It failed the
governments of those
states feared to face
the facts.
( W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Ea a esuat pentru ca
guvernele de atunci nu au
indraznit sa priveasca
lucrurile in fata.
(W.Ch.19 Sep.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

51. Germany must be
deprived of the power
to rearm and make
another aggressive
war. (W.Ch.Sep.19) Germania trebuie pusa in
imposibilitatea de a se
reinarma si de a incepe o
noua agresiune .
(W.Ch.19 Sep.) Political
Euphemism Transpozitio
n Technique

52. There must be what
Mr Gladstone many
years ago called a
“blessed act of
oblivion”.
(W.Ch.Sep.19) Va trebui sa se produca
ceea ce Gladstone numea
odinioara actul
binecuvantat al uitarii .
(W.Ch.19 Sep.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

53. If Europe is to be
saved from infinite
misery, there must be
this act of faith in the
European family, this
act of oblivion against
all crimes and follies
of the past.
( W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Daca vrem sa salvam
Europa dintr -o mizerie de
nedescris , trebuie sa facem
loc credintei in familia
europeana si sa uitam
toate nebuniile si crimele
trecutului. (W.Ch.19 Sep.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique

54. Now, we will disagree,
sometimes fiercely,
about how to get there.
As it has for more than
two centuries, progress Nu întotdeauna vom fi de
acord, uneori cu
înverșunare, cum trebuie
să ajungem acolo. În cele
două secole, progresele au

76
will come in fits and
starts. It's not always a
straight line. It's not
always a smooth path.
(B.O. Apr.11) fost cu intermitențe. Istoria
nu întotdeauna este o linie
dreaptă. Nu întotdeauna
este o cale fără hopuri.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

55. If we are to form a
United States of
Europe, or whatever
name it may take, we
must begin now.
(W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Daca vrem sa creem
Statele Unite ale Europei
– sau ce nume ii vom da –
trebuie sa incepem acum.
(W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique

56. The atomic bomb is
still only in the hands
of a nation which, we
know, will never use it
except in the cause of
right and freedom .
( W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Bomba atomica e inca in
mana unui stat si a unei
natiuni despre care stim ca
nu o va folosi decat pentru
cauze de drept si libertate.
( W.Ch .Sep.19 ) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

57. the readiness of all
men and women to die
rather than to submit
to tyranny .
( W.Ch.Sep.19 ) vointa tuturor barbatilor
sau femeilor de a muri mai
degraba decat de a se
supune tiraniei.
( W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique

58. Let Europe arise!”
( W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Europa sa reinvie!
(W.Ch.Sep.19 ) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

59. American leadership –
including our military
power – is stopping
ISIL’s advance.
(B.O.Jan.20) leadershipul american , in
special puterea noastra
militara, este pe cale de a
stopa avansul SI"
(B.O.20Ian.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

60. Well, today, it is
America that stands
strong and united with
our allies, while Russia
is isolated with its
economy in tatters.
(B.O. Jan.20) Astazi, Statele Unite sunt
puternice si unite cu aliatii
sai, in timp ce Rusia este
izolata, iar economia sa
este distrusa.
(B.O.20 Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

61. I’m asking both parties
to give me trade
promotion authority to
protect American
workers, with strong
new trade deals from Le solicit celor doua
tabere sa-mi ofere puteri
sporite in negocierile
comerciale, pentru a
proteja muncitorii
americani prin noi Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

77
Asia to Europe .
(B.O. Apr.11) acorduri comerciale solide
cu Asia si cu Europa .”
(B.O.11 Apr.)
62. That’s why we defend
free speech, and
advocate for political
prisoners , and
condemn the
persecution of women,
or religious minorities,
or people who are
lesbian, gay, bisexual
or transgender.
(B.O.Jan.20) Din acest motiv noi
aparam dreptul la libera
exprim are si ii aparam pe
prizonierii politici , si
condamnam persecutia
femeilor sau a
minoritatilor religioase sau
a persoanelor care sunt
lesbiene, homosexuali,
bisexuali sau
transgenderi. (B.O 20Ian.)
Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
63. There were and still
are hard times for
many. (B.O. Apr.11) Au fost si inca mai sunt
vremuri grele pentru
multi . (B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

64. Six years ago, nearly
180,000 American
troops served in Iraq
and Afghanistan .
(B.O. Apr.11) In urma cu 6 ani, aproape
180.000 de soldati
americani serveau patria
in Irak si Afganistan.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

65. women, or religious
minorities, or people
who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual or
transgender .
(B.O.Jan.20) condamnam persecutia
femeilor sau a
minoritatilor religioase sau
a persoanelor care sunt
lesbiene, homosexuali ,
bisexuali sau
transgenderi. (B.O. 20Ian.) Sex
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

66. Less measurable but
no less profound is a
sapping of confidence
across our land — a
nagging fear that
America’s decline is
inevitable, and that the
next generation must
lower its sights .
(B.O. Apr.11) Mai putin masurabil dar
nu mai putin profund , este
o grava scadere a
increderii, pe tot cuprinsul
tarii noastre , o teama
acuta ca declinul Americii
este inevitabil ca
urmatoarea generatie va
trebui sa -si plece pivirea .
(B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

67. The time has come to
reaffirm our enduring
spirit; to choose our
better history; to carry
forward that precious A venit timpul sa
reafirmam spiritul nostru
rezistent, sa ne creem o
istorie mai buna, sa ducem
inainte acel pretios cadou , Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

78
gift, that noble idea,
passed o n from
generation to
generation.
(B.O.Jan.20) acea nobila idee transmisa
din generatie in generatie .
(B.O.20 Ian.)
68. With hope and virtue,
let us brave once more
the icy currents, and
endure what storms
may come.
(B.O. Apr.11) Cu speranta si curaj sa
infruntam inca odata cu
vitejie apee inghetate si sa
rezistam furtunilor ce pot
veni. (B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

69. Condemn the
persecution of women,
or religious minorities,
or people who are
lesbia n, gay, bisexual
or transgender
.(B.O.Jan.20) condamnam persecutia
femeilor sau a
minoritatilor religioase sau
a persoanelor care sunt
lesbiene , homosexuali ,
bisexuali sau transgenderi.
(B.O. 20 Ian.) Sex
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

70. Indeed, but for the fact
that the great republic
across the Atlantic
realised that the ruin or
enslavement of Europe
would involve her own
fate as well, and
stretched out hands of
succour and guidance ,
the Dark Ages would
have returned in all
their cruelty and
squalor . (B.O. Apr.11) Marea republica de
dincolo de Atlantic a
inteles cu timpul ca ruina
sau sclavia Europei ar
pune in joc propriul sau
destin si atunci a intins o
mana de ajutor fara de care
o perioada sumbra s-ar
anunta cu toate ororile
sale. (B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

71. Tonight , after a
breakthrough year for
America , our economy
is growing and
creating jobs at the
fastest pace.
(B.O. Apr.11) In aceasta seara, după ce
un an inseninat pentru
America , economia
noastră cres te contiunuu
asigurind intr -un ritm
rapid crearea locurilor de
muncă. (B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

72. And we are as free
from the grip of
foreign oil as we’ve
been in almost 30 Si noi suntem la fel de
independenti fata de
petrolul strain precum am
fost si in acesti aproape 30 Political,
Euphemism Literal
Technique

79
years . (B.O. Apr.11) de ani. (B.O.11 Apr.)
73. Tonight, for the first
time since 9/11, our
combat mission in
Afghanistan is over .
(B.O. Apr.11) In aceasta seara, pentru
prima data din 9/11,
misiunea noastră în
Afganistan sa încheiat .
(B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal Techn
ique

74. We are a strong, tight –
knit family who has
made it through some
very, very hard times.
(B.O. Apr.11) Suntem o familie
puternică, o familie strins –
unita care sa creat in
decursul perioadelor
extrem de dificile.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

75. I was thinking of the
darkest months of the
crisis . (B.O. Apr.11) Astazi imi aminteam de
cele mai intunecate luni de
criza. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

76. When I stood on the
steps of this Capitol
and promised we
would rebuild our
economy on a new
foundation.
(B.O. Apr.11) când am stat pe treptele
acestui Caitolui si am
promis ca noi vom
reconstrui economia
statului nostru pe o nouă
temelie. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

77. Middle -class
economics works.
(B.O. Apr.11) Economia functioneaza.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

78. Today, we are the only
advanced country on
Earth that doesn’t
guarantee paid sick
leave or paid maternity
leave to our workers.
(B.O. Apr.11) Astăzi, suntem singurul
stat inalt dezvoltat de pe
glob care nu asigura
finante pentru concediul
medical sau concediu de
maternitate lucrătorilor
noștri. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

79. This day is about the
fallen
heroes that you loved.
(B.O. Apr.11) Aceasta este ziua eroilor
cazuti, pe care noi i -am
iubit. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

80. We still need laws that
strengthen rather than
weaken unions, and
give American
workers a voice.
(B.O. Apr.11) Noi inca mai avem nevoie
de legi care mai degraba
ar consolida statul decit l –
ar slabi, legi care le -ar
oferi libertate muncitorilor
americani. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

81. Let’s close loopholes
so we stop rewarding Sa lichidam lacunele
impiedicind companiile Social
Euophemism Modulation
Technique

80
companies that keep
profits abroad, and
reward those that
invest here in America.
(B.O. Apr.11) profitabile sa -si pastreze in
strainatate profiturile,
precum si sa -i
recompensam pe cei care
investesc aici, in America.
(B.O .11 Apr.)
82. Instead of Americans
patrolling the valleys
of Afghanistan , we’ve
trained their security
forces, who have now
taken the lead, and
we’ve honored our
troops’ sacrifice by
supporting that
country’s first
democratic transition.
(B.O. Apr.11) In schimbul cetatenilor
amerciani care
supravegheau regiuni din
Afganistan , noi am
antrenat fortele lor de
securitate care detin
puterea si noi am onorat
sacrificiul trupelor noastre
incurajind prima actiune
democratica din tara
respectiva. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

83. Mr. Putin’s aggression
was a masterful
display of strategy and
strength. (B.O Jan.20) Ostilitatea domnului Putin
a fost o demontratia a
poruncilor de strategie si
putere . (B.O 20 Ian.) Political
Euphemism
Modulation
Technique

84. That's what I heard
from some folks.
(B.O. Apr.11) Asta e ceea ce am auzit de
la unii oameni.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

85. And our shift in Cuba
policy has the potential
to end a legacy of
mistrust in our
hemisphere.
(B.O. Apr.11) Si schimbarea vectorului
nostru politic fata de Cuba
are potentialul de a lichida
povara neincrederii in
emisfera noastra.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
86. As Americans, we
respect human dignity,
even when we’re
threatened, which is
why I have prohibited
torture. (B.O. Apr.11) Ca americani, noi
resectam demnitatea
umana, chiar si atunci cind
suntem amenintati, motiv
pentru care am interzis
tortura. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

87. We believe in a
generous America, in a
compassionate
America, in a tolerant
America open to the
dreams of an
immigrant's daughter Credem într -o Americă
generoasă, într -o Americă
plină de compasiune, într –
o Americă tolerantă ,
deschisă viselor fiicei unui
imigrant care studiază în
școlile noastre și jură Positive
Euphemism Literal
Techn ique

81
who studies in our
schools and pledges to
our flag . (B.O. Apr.11) credință drapelului nostru.
(B.O.11 Apr.)
88. You'll hear the deep
patriotism in the voice
of a military spouse
who's working the
phones late at night to
make sure that no one
who fights for this
country ever has to
fight for a job or a roof
over their head when
they come home.
(B.O. Apr.11) Veți auzi patriotismul
adânc din vocea soților și
soțiilor militarilor care
lucrează până noaptea
târziu ca să nu aibă grijă
că nici o persoană care
luptă pentru această țară
nu mai trebuie să se lupte
pentru un loc de muncă
sau un acoperiș deasupr a
capului, în momentul când
revine acasă. (B.O.11Apr.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

89. Now, we will disagree,
sometimes fiercely,
about how to get there.
As it has for more than
two centuries, progress
will come in fits and
starts. It's not a lways a
straight line. It's not
always a smooth path.
(B.O. Apr.11) Nu întotdeauna vom fi de
acord, uneori cu
înverșunare, cum trebuie
să ajungem acolo. În cele
două secole, progresele au
fost cu intermitențe. Istoria
nu întotdeauna este o linie
dreaptă. Nu întotdeauna
este o cale fără hopuri.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

90. As promised, our
intelligence agencies
have worked hard,
with the
recommendations of
privacy advocates, to
increase transparency
and build more
safeguards again st
potential abuse.
(B.O. Apr.11) Asa dupa cum a fost
promis, agentiile de
informare au muncit din
greu pentru a garanta
transparenta si a asigura
mai multe controale a
garanțiilor nucleare pentru
prevenirea abuzurilor
eventuale. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

91. I grew up in Hawaii, a
melting pot of races
and customs.
(B.O. Apr.11) Am crescut în Hawaii, un
creuzet de rase si
obiceiuri . (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

92. Because I want this
chamber , I want this
city to reflect the truth.
(B.O. Apr.11) Pentru ca vreau aceasta
pozitie , imi doresc ca acest
oras sa reflecte adevarul.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique

82
93. Americans with special
needs. (B.O. Apr.11) Cetateni americani cu
dezabilitati. (B.O.11 Apr.) Disease
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
94. I want them to grow
up in a country that
shows the world what
we still know to be
true: that we are still
more than a collection
of red states and blue
states ; that we are the
United States of
America.
(B.O. Apr.11) Vreau ca ei să crească într –
o țară care demonstreaza
lumii cee ce noi
consideram s adevărat: ca
noi suntem mult mai mult
decât o colecție de state
rosii si albastre : ca noi
suntem State le Unite ale
Americii. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

95. My fellow Americans,
we, too, are a strong,
tight-knit family.
(B.O. Apr.11) Colegii mei americani, noi
suntem o familie
puternica, o famile strins –
unita. (B.O.11 Apr.)
Social
Euphemism
Literal
Technique

96. New generation that
saw a vicious
recession spread
across our nation and
the world.
(B.O. Apr.11) Noua generație care a fost
martorul unei recesiuni
vicio ase raspindita in tara
noastra si in intrega lu me.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism

Literal
Technique
97. This means helping
folks afford childcare,
college, health care, a
home, retirement.
(B.O. Apr.11) Aceasta inseamna a ajuta
oamenii oferindu -le
ingrijirea copilului,
colegiu, asistenta
medicala, o casa,
pensionare. (B.O.11 Apr.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique

98. I would like to talk to
you about the end of
our combat mission ,
the ongoing security
challenges we face,
and the need
to rebuild our nation
here at home.
(B.O. Apr.11) As dori sa va vorbesc
despre sfirsitul misiunii
noastre militare, despre
provocarile de securitate
cu ca ne confruntam
precum si despre
necesi tatea de a dezvolta
natiunea nostra aici, acasa.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

99. The Americans who
have
served in Iraq
completed every
mission they were
given. (B.O. Apr.11) Americanii care au slujit
in Irak au relizat fiecare
misiune care le -a fost data.
(B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

83
100. We memorize our first
patriots who never
knew the
independence
they won with their
lives. (B.O. Apr.11) Noi nu lasam uitarii primii
nostri patrioti care nu au
cunscut nici odata
independenta pe care ei au
cistigat -o cu proriile lor
vieti. (B.O.11 Apr.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique

101. The United States will
not permit the world’s
most dangerous
regimes to threaten us
with the world’s most
destructive weapons .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Statele Unite nu vor
permite celor mai
periculoase regimuri din
lume sa ne ameninte cu
cele mai destructive ar me
din lume. (G.B.28Ian.) Military
Euphemism Literal
Technique
102. And because
democracies respect
their own people and
their neighbours, the
advance of freedom
will lead to peace .
( G.B. Jan. 28 ) Asa precum statele
medocratice isi respecta
propeiul popor si vecinii
lor, progresul libertatii va
duce la pace . (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
103. They seek to impose
and expand an empire
of oppression , in
which a tiny group of
brutal, self -appointed
rulers control every
aspect of every life.
( G.B. Jan. 28 ) Ei urmaresc sa impuna si
sa extinda un imperiu de
asuprire , in careun grup
mic de agresori, asa numiti
conducatori care dirijeaza
fiecare aspect al vietii.
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
104. America will stand
with the allies of
freedom to support
democratic movements
in the Middle East and
beyond, with the
ultimate goal of ending
tyranny in our world.
( G.B. Jan. 28 ) Cu scopul primordial de a
pune capat tiraniei din
lume, America impreuna
cu aliatii pentru libertate
isi asuma responsabilitatea
de a sprijini miscarile
democratice din Orientul
Mijlociu si nu numai.
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
105. Our enemies know
this, and that is why
the terrorist Zarqawi
recently declared war
on what he called the
“evil principle” of
democracy . Dusmanii nostri sunt
constienti de acest lucru si
iata de ce teroristul
Zarqawi a declarat razboi
asa cum numeste el
principul rau al
democratiei . (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

84
106. If whole regions of the
world remain in
despair and grow in
hatred, they will be the
recruiting grounds for
terror, and that terror
will stalk America and
other free nations for
decades .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Daca regiuni intregi din
lume ramin in disperare si
se dezvolta in ura , acestea
vor reprezenta temelia
teroarei si acea teroarea va
ameninta America si alte
natiuni libere timp de zeci
de ani. (G.B.28Ian.) Military
Euphemism Calque
Technique
107. We have known
freedom’s price.
( G.B. Jan. 28 ) Noi am cunoscut pretul
libertatii . (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
108. We have shown
freedom’s power .
(G.B.Jan.28) Noi am demonstrat
puterea libertatii.
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
109. My fellow Americans,
we will see freedom’s
victory. (G.B. Jan. 28 ) Concetatenii mei
Americani, noi vom vedea
victoria libertatii .
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
110. Our enemies send
other people’s children
on missions of suicide
and murder .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Dușmanii noștri trimite
copiii altor oameni în
misiuni de sinucidere și
crimă. (G.B.28Ian.) Military
Euphemism Literal
Technique
111. They embrace tyranny
and death as a cause
and a creed.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Ei percep tirania și
moartea ca o justificare și
un crez. (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
112. Far from being a
hopeless dream, the
advance of freedom is
the great story of our
time. (G.B. Jan. 28 ) Avansul libertatii este
marea poveste a timpului
nostru si este departe de a
fi un vis fara speranta.
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
113. And we’re writing a
new chapter in the
story of self –
government – with
women lining up to
vote in Afghanistan,
and millions of Iraqis
marking their liberty .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Și noi scriem un nou
capitol în istoria de auto –
guvernare – cu femeile
alinierea la vot în
Afganistan, și milioane de
irakieni marcind libertate
lor. (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique

85
114. We are witnessing
landmark events in the
history of liberty .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Suntem martorii
evenimentelor de repere în
istoria libertății .
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
115. To promote peace and
stability in the broader
Middle East, the
United States will
work with our friends
in the region to fight
the common threat of
terror, while we
encourage a higher
standard of freedom.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) In scopul promovarii pacii
și stabilitati în Orientul
Mijlociu , Statele Unite
vor colaboreze cu prietenii
noștri în regiune pentru a
combate in comun
amenințarea terorii , în
timp ce incurajam un
standard mai ridicat de
libertate. (G.B.28Ian.) Military
Euphemism Literal
Technique
116. My fellow citizens, we
now move forward
with confidence and
faith. (G.B. Jan. 28 ) Concetățenii mei, acum
mergem mai departe cu
încredere și credință.
(G.B.28Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique
117. Our Nation is strong
and steadfast .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Națiunea noastră este
puternică și fermă .
(G.B.28Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique
118. We can trust in that
greater power who
guides the unfolding of
the years.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Putem avea încredere în
această mare putere , care
ghidează tentințele anilor.
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
119. We’re also standing
against the forces of
extremism embodied
by the regime in
Teheran .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Noi deasemene a de
pronuntam ferm impotriva
fortelor extremismului
reprezentata de regimul de
la Teheran. (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
120. The road of
providence is uneven
and unpredictable.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Drumul providenței este
neuniform și imprevizibil.
(G.B.28Ian.) Social
Euphemism Calque
Technique
121. The United States will
not permit the world’s
most dangerous
regimes to threaten us
with the world’s most
destructive weapons .
( G.B. Jan. 2 8) Statele Unite nu vor
permite celor mai
periculoase regimuri din
lume pentru sa ne
amenințe cu cele mai
distructive arme din lume.
(G.B.28Ian.) Military
Euphemism Literal
Technique

86
122. We will revive our
economy.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Vom revigora economia
noastră. (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
123. History has called
America and our allies
to action, and it is both
our responsibility and
our privilege to fight
freedom’s fight .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Istoria a facut apel la
actiune Americii si
aliatilo r nostri, si aceasta
reprezinta
responsabilitatea si
provilegiul nostru de a
combate lupta libertatii .
(G.B.28 Ian.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
124. May God continue to
bless America.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Dumnezeul meu continue
sa binecuvinteze America.
(G.B.28Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique
125. America is a nation
with a mission.
( G.B. Jan. 28 ) America este o națiune
care are o misiune .
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
126. We are witnessing
landmark events in the
history of liberty .
( G.B. Jan. 28 ) Suntem martorii
evenimentelor de repere în
istoria libertății .
(G.B.28Ian.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technque
127. Men and women from
Lebanon to Egypt
debating the right of
individuals and the
necessity of freedom.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Bărbații și femei le din
Liban pina in Egipt dezbat
dreptul persoanelor și
necesitatea de libertate .
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
128. We realized that this
will be a decisive
decade in the history
of liberty.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Am realizat că acesta va fi
un deceniu decisiv în
istoria libertății.
(G.B.28Ian.) Social
Euphemism Calque
Technique
129. In the long -term, the
peace we seek will
only be achieved by
eliminating the
conditions that feed
radicalism and
ideologies of murder .
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Pe termen lung, pacea pe
care o căutăm va fi atinsă
doar prin eliminarea
condițiilor care asigură
radicalismul și ideologiile
de omor . (G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
130. They will be the
recruiting grounds for
terror . ( G.B. Jan. 28 ) Ei vor reprezenta
fundamentul de recrutare
pentru teroare.
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

87
131. Our enemies know
this, and that is why
the terrorist Zarqawi
recently declared war
on what he called the
“evil principle” of
democracy.
(G.B. Jan. 28 ) Dusmanii nostri sunt
constienti de acest lucru si
iata de ce teroristul
Zarqawi a declarat razboi
asa cum numeste el
principul rau al
democratiei .
(G.B.28Ian.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
132. The advance of
freedom will lead to
peace.
(B.O Oct. 26) Înaintarea libertății va
duce la pace.
(B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique
133. My impression is that
what has been charged
thus far is abuse,
which I believe
technically is different
from torture .
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Impresia mea este că ceea
ce a fost perceput până
acum este abuz, ceea ce
cred că este diferit de
tortură . (B.O. 26Oct.) Military
Euphemism Calque
Technique
134. My impression is that
what has been charged
thus far is abuse ,
which I believe
technically is different
from torture.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Impresia mea este că ceea
ce a fost perceput până
acum este abuz , ceea ce
cred că este diferit de
tortură. (B.O. 26Oct.) Military
Euphemism Calque
Technique
135. A breathtakingly
ambitious goal: to
bring capitalism to the
entire world.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Un obiectiv ambițios și
incredibil: să promovăm
capitalismul în
întreaga lume.
(B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Borrowing
Technique
136. Operation Iraqi
Freedom .
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Operațiunea de eliberare
a Iracului. (B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
137. The battles against
ignorance and
intolerance.
Corruption and greed.
Poverty and despair.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Luptele împotriva
ignoranței și intoleranțe i.
Corupției și lăcomiei .
Sărăcie i și disperării .
(B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
138. He fought in the name
of a larger freedom.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) El a luptat în numele marii
libertăți . (B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Literal
Technique

88
139. There is no shortage of
patriots , or of
patriotism.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Nu ducem lipsă de patrioți
sau patriotism .
(B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
140. A stock market that
has just gone through
the worst month since
the Great Depression.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) O piata de capital, care
tocmai a trecut prin cea
mai rea luna de la Marea
Depresie. (B.O. 26Oct.) Social
Euphemism Literal
Technique
141. A war based not on
reason but on passion,
not on principle but on
politics. (B.O. Oct. 26 ) Un război nebazat pe
rațiune, ci pe pasiune,
nebazat pe principiu, ci pe
politică . (B.O. 26Oct.) Millitary
Euphemism Literal
Technique
142. He has repeatedly
defied UN resolutions,
thwarted UN
inspection teams .
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) El a sfidat în mod repetat
rezoluțiile ONU,
aîmpiedicat echipele de
inspecție ONU.
(B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
143. He has developed
chemical and
biological weapon s,
and coveted nuclear
capacity.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) El a dezvoltat arme
chimice și biologice, și a
râvnit capacitate
nucleară. .(B.O. 26Oct.) Military
Euphemism Literal
Technique
144. But I also know that
Saddam poses no
imminent and direct
threat to the United
States. (B.O. Oct. 26 ) Dar eu, de asemene a, știu
că Saddam nu prezinta o
amenințare iminentă și
direct pentru Statele Unite.
(B.O. 26Oct.) Military
Euphemism Literal
Technique
145. I know that an
invasion of Iraq
without a clear
rationale and without
strong international
support will only fan
the flames of the
Middle East.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Sunt conștient că o invazie
fără o justificare clară și
fără sprijin internațional
puternic in Iraq doar va
stîrni flăcările în Orientul
Mijlociu .(B.O. 26Oct.) Social
Euphemism Modulation
Technique
146. Let’s finish the fight.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Să punem capăt luptei.
(B.O. 26Oct.) Millitary
Euphemism Literal
Technique
147. The financial networks
that support terrorism.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Rețelele financiare care
sprijină terorismul.
(B.O.26 Oct.) Literal
Technique

89
148. Former enemies and
current allies like
Russia safeguard and
ultimately eliminate
their stores of nuclear
material.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Foștii dușmani și actualii
aliati cum ar fi Rusia
distrug depozitul lor de
material nuclear .
(B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique
149. I know that an
invasion of Iraq
without a clear
rationale and without
strong international
support will only fan
the flames of the
Middle East.
(B.O. Oct. 26 ) Sunt conștient că o invazie
fără o justificare clară și
fără sprijin internațional
puternic in Iraq doar va
stîrni flăcările in Orientul
Mijlociu. (B.O. 26Oct.) Military
Euphemism Calque
Technique
150. A war based not on
reason but on passion,
not on principle but on
politics . (B.O. Oct. 26 ) Un război nebazat pe
rațiune, ci pe pasiune,
nebazat pe principiu , ci pe
politică.(B.O. 26Oct.) Political
Euphemism Calque
Technique

90
Rezumat
Teza „ Euphemistic Constructions in the Political Discourse and their
Translation into Romanian ” a fost elaborată cu scopul primordial de a cerceta
tipurile de eufimisme utilizate în discursurile politice, metodele de formare a
eufemismelor cît și funcția primordială pe care o îndeplinesc în cadrul discursului
politic.
Teza este alcătuită din două capitole. Primul capitol cuprinde informația
teoretică legată de construcțiile eufemistice. Cel de -al doilea capitol prezintă
caracteristicile eufemismelor utilizate în discursurile politice.
În scopul consolidării capitolului te oretic au fost elaborate două Anexe, într –
una dintre care sunt incluse exemple de constructii eufemistice extrase din cîteva
discursuri politice. Analiza făcută în cel de -al doilea capitol este strict bazată pe
cele 150 de exemple de eufemisme extrase din discursurile politice. Astfel s -a
ajuns la concluzia că majoritatea eufemismelor utilizate în discursurile politice fac
parte din categoria eufemismelor politice și sociale. Analizînd metoda de formare a
eufemismelor, majoritatea sau format prin metoda der ivarii, în special prin
procesul de sufixare. Vorbind despre trăsăturile lor stilistice atunci se poate afirma
că majoritatea au tangențe comune cu metafora, hiperbola și ironia find mai puțin
utilizate.
Funcția primordială pe care o îndeplinesc eufemisme le din discursurile
politice este de a ascunde sau a accentua un anumit eveniment sau informație ce
ține de un subiect anumit.
Ultimul subcapitol cuprinde infomația cu privire la greutățile pe care le
întîmpină traducătorii în procesul traducerii eufemism elor din discursurile politice.
Printre cele mai mari difficultăți se numără identificarea construcției eufemistice în
limba sursă după care gasirea unei construcții eufemistice în limba de traducere.
Ultima parte a tezei o reprezintă concluzia, care cupr inde informația
referitoare la rezultatele studiului realizat.