Euphemisms in modern political discourse: thematic groups, means of expression, functions

The relevance of the research is determined by insufficient information on euphemisms in political discourse. However, the use of euphemisms in modern political speech grows in intensity due to great potential of such units. The article attempts to identify the basic function of political euphemisms. In this regard, thematic groups of euphemisms and verbal means of their expression are examined. The analysis of euphemisms in terms of denotative correlation shows that they are most frequently used with reference to international (mainly military) politics, power politics, economic policy and social policy, which are the most fragile fields at present. Among linguistic means of expressing political euphemisms the most common are metaphors (viewed as semantically two-dimensional units), hyperonyms (viewed as generalizing names devoid of connotations), foreign words (viewd as "prestigious" pseudoscientific names with meanings unknown to native speakers), words with affixal downtoners (where affixes tone down the root meaning), phraseological units (viewed as periphrases of negative name units), units with positive evaluation (that represent a negative phenomenon in a positive way). The analysis of means of expressing euphemisms shows that euphemisms by their linguistic nature are to tone down, to conceal information and can be used in political discourse for two main purposes: political correctness and manipulation of public consciousness. The examples reveal that the latter function clearly prevails. Thus, euphemisms by their linguistic nature possess powerful suggestive potential. They are often included in political speech to implement a manipulative strategy of implication, i. e. conceal the gist of the denotation unit aiming at implicit psychological impact on the addressee and forming the picture of the world beneficial for the sender. In this regard, the question of critical approach to the analysis of euphemisms in political discourse becomes especially relevant.