An Analysis of Euphemism Used in Political Context in Indonesia This Morning News on Metro TV

ABSTRACT

One of the basic principles of euphemism is that the dispreferred expressions should be replaced by the preferred expressions to execute user’s communicative intention on a given context and to avoid possible loss of face. Many euphemisms are alternative for expression of speakers or writers who would simply prefer not to use in given occasion.

Furthermore, the use of euphemism will be more interesting when it is used for the specific purposes in a certain of communication. Essentially, the existence of euphemism is used to hide the unpleasant idea, even when the term for them is not necessarily offensive. This characteristic of euphemism is interesting to be analyzed and discussed in order to get deep information or massage behind the word, phrase or sentence which contains of euphemism. It is not only important for certain group of people, but also involves all levels of society to use euphemism to avoid losing face.

This research is conducted to find out the types, styles, and functions of euphemism used in Political Context in Indonesia This Morning News on METRO TV. The descriptive qualitative method is the research design of this study. The data is collected from Indonesia This Morning News’ Script on METRO TV. The data is analyzed through the process of categorizing, analyzing and drawing a tentative conclusion. The key instrument is the researcher herself; here, the researcher watches the news and uses field note to write some main points of the political news in April 2008.

As the result, the researcher finds that the main findings of this thesis is the researcher finds ten types of euphemism: acronym and abbreviation, idiom, hyperbole, metaphor, metonymy, associative engineering, jargon, cirlomcution, denial, and synecdoche. Second, the researcher finds four styles of euphemism: formal, consultative, intimate, and frozen style. Third, the researcher finds six functions of euphemism: to convince, to order, to apologize, to reject, to accuse, and to criticize.

Finally, the researcher hopes that this thesis could make contribution to the researcher herself especially, to the readers and to researchers in the case of euphemism study. It is hoped for further researchers who want to study on the same topic to analyze euphemism deeper or more specific. Such as study about metaphor as one of the type of euphemism.