Volume 17 · Number 1 · Pages 015–017
There Are More Euphemisms and Dysphemisms in Heaven and Earth Than One Might Think

Andreas Gardt

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Abstract

Open peer commentary on the article “Euphemisms vs. Dysphemisms, or How we Construct Good and Bad Language” by Andrey S. Druzhinin. Abstract: Druzhinin claims euphemisms and dysphemisms do not exist because it is only the specific communicative situation that determines meaning. Moreover, the author claims that language is not “some material existing somewhere,” ready to be used by the speakers. I question these views by pointing out that euphemisms and dysphemisms may well be listed in dictionaries on the basis of their standard use/meaning. As regards the use of language, if there were no pre-existing grammar and vocabulary that we all share, we could not communicate at all. To say that we use language is quite compatible with stating that it influences our thinking and being to a high degree.

Citation

Gardt A. (2021) There are more euphemisms and dysphemisms in heaven and earth than one might think. Constructivist Foundations 17(1): 015–017. https://constructivist.info/17/1/015

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References

Gardt A. (1999) Geschichte der Sprachwissenschaft in Deutschland: Vom Mittelalter bis ins 20. Jahrhundert [History of linguistics in Germany: From the Middle Ages to the 20th century]. De Gruyter, Berlin. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Gardt A. (2018) Wort und Welt: Konstruktivismus und Realismus in der Sprachtheorie [Word and world: Constructivism and realism in language theory]. In: Felder E. & Gardt A. (eds.) Wirklichkeit oder Konstruktion? Sprachtheoretische und interdisziplinäre Aspekte einer brisanten Alternative. De Gruyter, Berlin: 1–44. https://cepa.info/6780
Saussure F. (1959) Course in general linguistics. Translated by Wade Baskin. Philosophical Library, New York. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Wittgenstein L. (1953) Philosophical investigations. Translated by G. E. M. Anscombe. Basil Blackwell, Oxford. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar

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