IDENTIFICATION AND WORD-FORMATION OF EUPHEMISMS IN CROATIAN LANGUAGE

Abstract

Different segments within the words or the whole expressions can be euphemistically loaded in communication. Euphemistic meaning is not an inherent characteristic of a word but a result of the interaction of the context factors. Euphemisation as a speech strategy is related to secret languages, slang and vulgarisms. Words and expressions with euphemistic meaning are always connected with a man and therefore is such a lexis explicitly anthropocentric. In Croatian language semantic and lexic means dominate in the strategies of euphemisation and the most common are metaphor, metonymic nomination and loanwords. Euphemisation is a source and one of the generators of the language synonymy considering that euphemistic meaning of many expressions fade aways with time and become a part of a passive zone so there is a constant need for forming new euphemisms.