THE ROLE OF EUPHEMISMS IN THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CONCEPT “WAR”

Abstract

This article is devoted to the analysis of the euphemistic representation of the concept of “war” in newspaper articles, since the verbalization of this concept in many cases occurs on the basis of euphemisms. According to the data we have identified, the concept of “war” is associated with such concepts as death, destruction, defeat, prison. The combination of all these concepts creates the concept sphere, which is demonstrated in the diagram. In newspaper articles euphemisms have such functions as minimizing problems in social and political spheres in order to avoid conflicts; disguising an action that violates human rights, avoiding insulting a subject with a lower social status; mitigation of a negative or unwanted value (camouflage function); deliberate distortion of information about real events and facts; expression of a mockingly ironic attitude; neutralization of the true meaning of direct names that are undesirable for political or ethical reasons.