Concept in Definition ABC

The profanity, provocative, humiliating and rude words that are used to define people or situations are known as dysphemisms. This resource from language It does not consist simply in using vulgar words, but in using them with a clear offensive and transgressive intention. As in many other situations in the communication it is the context that determines whether or not a word has a connotation pejorative.

Examples that we can observe

When someone refers to a doctor and calls him a matasanos or if someone refers to a criminal lawyer and labels him as a lawyer he is employing a dysphemism, for matasanos and the word play lawyer have an intention disqualifying. However, the insult is not always derogatory or offensive. So, if someone says "how well the son of a bitch plays!" is expressing admiration towards someone.

It is in sexual language where dysphemisms most abound. Fuck instead of doing the love, horny instead of excited would be some examples. In the field of sexuality, the use of language is especially delicate, since certain words are considered taboo.

Dysphemism loses its derogatory sense when the context of language is humorous. Thus, when telling a joke it is socially valid to use profanity.

The social role of dysphemisms in the communication of young people

The use of insults or taboo words is inappropriate in most communication contexts. However, among the youngest, this form of communication fulfills a social function: to enhance the membership to a group and create bonds of solidarity. From a psychological point of view, a young person uses all kinds of offensive words because in this way he faces the prohibitions imposed by adults.

The use of euphemisms is the reverse phenomenon

A euphemism is that word or expression used to avoid inappropriate speech. In other words, it is the politically correct use of language.

If someone considers the word old to be offensive to refer to an older person, they can say that he lives in the golden age.

Penitentiary center is a euphemism for not saying directly jail.

Instead of talking about layoffs, it is less shocking to talk about downsizing.

If we take the death of someone as a reference, there would be three options to talk about this situation: they have died, they have passed away, they have kicked the bucket. The first way is correct but too direct and for this reason on many occasions it is avoided. The second is an understatement. The third is a dysphemism.

Photos: Fotolia - Spaxiax / Ingo Bartussek