Lana Ko Week 11: Euphemisms: Hard Truths Imbedded in Soft Words
Language is a known powerful tool. It shapes how we perceive reality, and this is nowhere more evident than within the use of a euphemism—words or phrases designed to soften uncomfortable truths. While they provide degrees of comfort, solace, and respect, they can also work in negative ways, such as obscuring reality. This can manifest itself as the power to manipulate public perception.
Consider the phrase “collateral damage.” It is used frequently in the military; it suggests a necessary but unfortunate side effect of warfare. However, this often means civilian casualties. An uncomfortable truth that real lives were lost to a conflict that was not their own is now chalked up to the soft words “collateral damage.” By using these sterile phrases to describe their shortcomings, governments distance themselves from the moral weight of their actions. Another instance of euphemism used in corporate settings is within a company. A company doesn’t “fire” employees. Instead, it practices “downsizing” or “rightsizing,” almost like losing a job is a natural and necessary process, rather than a choice made by leaders that are aware of the devastating consequences of firing their employees. During the 2008 financial crisis, the media was littered with misleading language–banks did not make bad loans; they suffered from “toxic assets,” as if the problem was an external one rather than their own reckless decisions.
However, euphemism can provide cushioning during sensitive topics, such as saying someone “passed away” instead of “died,” which sounds significantly less tragic. Nonetheless, it is important to recognize how euphemisms are a mode of avoiding accountability. Words can change how we interpret facts, but they don’t change the fact itself. It’s important to be conscious of the reality behind a euphemism and recognize the uncomfortable truth behind its soft words.
Hi, Lana! I enjoyed reading your blog and your insight on how euphemisms hold the power to manipulate language, which is why we should be extra wary of them. Throughout your blog, you convey the nuances of the effects of euphemisms really well, especially by exploring both their negative and positive impacts. I particularly liked how you provide multiple examples of euphemisms in different settings, like the military and a corporate environment, to show how euphemisms, while comforting, can often be disturbingly misleading.
ReplyDeleteThe structure of your blog is effective as well, as you start with a strong claim, provide multiple examples, and utilize them to reinforce your central idea. Overall, I enjoyed your reflective and thought-provoking post and look forward to reading more from you soon!
Hello Lana! When I think of euphemisms, I usually think of them being used in positive contexts. I have often heard of the example you provided where people say that someone has “passed away” instead of “died” to show respect and lighten the impact of the phrase. However, your inclusion of how euphemisms can be misleading was especially thought provoking. They can be used to avoid accountability and place the blame for ones actions on someone else. This is especially seen in your example of the 2008 financial crisis and the bank failures that followed as a result. I appreciated the examples you provided of how these phrases are used in various contexts for positive and negative reasons. I enjoyed reading your blog and I look forward to reading more of your work!
ReplyDeleteHello, Lana! I believe that your blog this week holds much relevance to our class that is AP English Language and Composition. It is interesting that you explore the rhetoric of euphemism, and I enjoyed learning about both the positive and negative aspects of downplaying with words. I especially enjoyed the real-life quotes you brought in to strengthen your points as they were very effective in helping me as the reader understand exactly the reasoning behind your claim; I have personally never stopped to think about the connotation of phrases like “collateral damage,” “downsizing,” and “passed away” because it has become so natural to understate certain negativities. Moreover, I wholeheartedly agree that language is a “powerful tool” and we have to be mindful of how we yield it; there is so much more to words than just their denotative meanings, so it is always important to consider societal reactions when communicating. I enjoyed your blog this week and cannot wait to read more from you.
ReplyDeleteHello Lana, I enjoyed your post’s analysis of euphemisms and their negative effects. When I clicked on this post, I was thinking that I would find another article discussing how our use of euphemisms just turns the euphemism itself into another taboo word, but this was a pleasant surprise. I liked the criticism of euphemisms as a concept, and I enjoyed reading your personalization of the real people hidden under euphemisms. I completely agree with your point that those who use euphemisms must be conscious of their effects, for there are certain cases in which euphemisms can be helpful or even necessary. Overall, I enjoyed reading this post, and if you were to improve anything, I would recommend elaborating more on “rightsizing.”
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