Match the euphemism cum ethnic slur with what it refers to.

6. Match the “sensitive” euphemism with what it refers to.

Task 2: Rewrite the following euphemistic word combination in “plain” English. Translate into Ukrainian. Are there any PC equivalents in Ukrainian language? Comment on the way you rendered PC word combinations

Paint oneself into a corner, in reduced circumstances, economical with the truth; undernourishment; kilogramically endowed; disinformation;correction facility; restricted growth; domestic engineer; pre-owned; between the jobs; residentially flexible individual; alternative answer; uniquely smart; not the sharpest tool in the shed, remains, his elevator doesn't go to the top floor.

Task 3:In the following sentences replace the euphemisms or PC words by neutral ones. Discuss the function of each euphemism: is it used to create satirical/humorous effect, or to replace an offensive, impolite word, or even, to create a haze of deceptions, a layer of lies?

1. Would you take any notice of MacGown's insinuation, Dad?" "Is that his name – the hair haberdasher! I should." "How?" "Give him the lie." "In private, in the press, or in the House?" "All three. In private I should merely call him a liar. In the Press you should use the words: "Reckless disregard for truth." And in Parliament – that you regret he "should have been so misinformed."

2. "I used to think I was poor. Then they told me I wasn't poor, I was needy. Then they told me it was self-defeating to think of myself as needy, I was deprived. Then they told me deprived was a bad image, I was underprivileged. Then they told me underprivileged was over-used, I was disadvantaged. I still don't have a dime. But I have a great vocabulary".

3. "Poor people used to live in slums. Now 'the economically disadvantaged' occupy 'substandard housing' in the 'inner cities.' And a lot of them are broke. They don't have 'negative cash flow.' They're broke! Because many of them were fired. In other words, management wanted to 'curtail redundancies in the human resources area,' and so, many workers are no longer 'viable members of the workforce.' Smug, greedy, well-fed white people have invented a language to conceal their sins. It's as simple as that."

4. Testifying before Congress, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke conducted a master class in the art of understatement last week. "The economic situation has become distinctly less favourable since the time of our July report," he said.

5. "I expect you'd like a wash," Mrs. Thompson said."The bathroom's to the right and the usual offices next to it."

6. James Porter, aged 25, was bound over last week after pleading guilty to interfering with a small cabbage and two tins of beans on his way home...

7. So was the Prime Minister guilty of misleading her audience or being economical with the truth?”

8. POLITICALLY CORRECT FESTIVE SEASON’S GREETINGS

Happy Holidays!

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all... A N D A fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year of 2013, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures... and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the “wishee”....

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the “wishor” to actually implement any of the wishes for her or him or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the “wishor”.

The wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the “wishor”.

Best regards (without prejudice)

Name withheld (Privacy Act).

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 1404