STYLISTIC MECHANISMS IN THE FORMATION OF DYSPHEMISMS
Keywords:
dysphemism, stylistic devices, impoliteness, metaphor, metonymy, taboo language, morphology, pragmatics, evaluationAbstract
Dysphemism refers to the choice of an expression that is intentionally harsh, derogatory, or socially marked in comparison with a neutral or euphemistic alternative. While dysphemisms are often treated as “rude words,” they are more accurately understood as stylistically motivated constructions whose negative force is produced by a set of semantic, pragmatic, and rhetorical mechanisms. This article provides a detailed account of key stylistic devices involved in dysphemism formation and use: metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole, irony/sarcasm, taboo and vulgar register, pejorative morphology, word-formation strategies, sound symbolism, allusion, and euphemism inversion. For each mechanism, the paper explains (i) the linguistic process, (ii) the pragmatic function (e.g., insult, humiliation, dismissal, social domination, emotional discharge), and (iii) common discourse environments. The analysis demonstrates that dysphemism is not a fixed property of a word alone, but an interactional outcome shaped by intention, context, and evaluative framing.
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