Kantur K. The Anthroposemantic Euphemisms and Their Functional and Pragmatic Role (on the Basis of the English, French, Ukrainian and Russian Languages)

The thesis is devoted to the analysis of the anthroposemantic euphemisms in four languages: English, French, Ukrainian and Russian. The linguistic interpretations of different approaches to the status of euphemism are considered in detail and the main characteristics of the latter have been finally defined. The multi-sided classification of anthroposemantic euphemisms (on chronological criteria, on local characteristics, on hermetical level, on etymological criteria, on formal-graphic correlation with an antecedent criteria, on the usage of lexical-semantic mechanisms, on different linguistic-semantic groups belonging) has been presented, the mechanisms of euphemistic transformations ( metaphorization, metonimization, generalization, determinalization, gradual-mitigation substitution, etc.) being thoroughly analyzed in different languages. The factors defining the processes of active euphemistic transformations in the discourse are singled out and described. The functions of euphemisms in different communicative situations have been analyzed, being supported by illustrative material.