Strategies of Euphemism Used by Jordanian University Students

Abstract

This study investigates the use of euphemistic strategies by Jordanian university students. It is also examines the effect of taboo topics, gender, and social context on the use of euphemism. To achieve this goal, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 200 students who were randomly selected from four Jordanian universities. The results of the study show that the politeness concept seems to be clear for Jordanian university students; they tend to use euphemism in highlighting taboo topics, in order to save their own face and other’s positive face. Understatement strategy was the most frequently used by Jordanian university students and taboo topics did not have major effect in Jordanian students' use of euphemism. It is found that gender does not have statistically significant role in euphemistic usage. The results also show that social context affects Jordanian university students' use of euphemism in some taboo topics. Keywords: Euphemistic strategies, taboo, politeness, Jordanian students.