EUPHEMISMS AS REFLECTION OF ENGLISH MENTALITY

Abstract

The phenomenon of euphemisms has been considered in the article in the context of English mentality.
The definition of “mentality” has been drawn out. The language picture of the world as reflection of that language speakers’ mentality has been enlarged on. The unique concepts for Anglo-Saxon language picture of the world specific to the mentality of the British and Americans (being less reflected in the later) have been pointed out in the context of the question considered in the article.
The definition of “euphemism” has been drawn out. The English euphemisms as linguistic and cultural phenomenon have been commented on as the means for the concept “understatement” as words or phrases used to avoid saying something presumably unpleasant or offensive. Such subject groups of English euphemisms have been analysed as: euphemisms mitigating various types of discrimination (age, property, racial and ethnic discrimination, discrimination against persons with physical or mental disabilities), euphemisms that reduce the superstitious fear of any phenomena, euphemisms that raise the prestige of a separate profession, euphemisms distracting from the negative phenomena of reality (those serving as a cover for aggressive hostilities and those mitigating negative consequences in the social and economic sphere), crime, gender, religion and death related euphemisms, miscellaneous group.