Detabooing as a tool for manipulating public opinion in the English political discourse

Abstract

The article considers examples of linguistic detabooing used in modern English-language mass media for the purpose of manipulating public opinion. It reveals the concept of tabooing, which is reflected in the modern mass media and is used when press conferences, talk shows or interviews touch upon topics that are traditionally taboo in public life – death, interpersonal relationships, illnesses, mental and physical disabilities, violation of rights, violence, war, criticism of traditions and foundations of other countries and nationalities, etc. The article is focused on linguistic means of detabooing – dysphemisms and means of verbalizing the concept FRIEND-AND-FOE. According to the analysis of the language material, the opposition “friend-and-foe” is characterized by the use of detabooing in relation to “foes”, and tabooing – in relation to “friends”. Bad actions of “others” are named directly and expressively, often with the help of dysphemisms, while similar actions of “ours” are covered in neutral expressions using euphemisms. The main goal of detabooing is to break taboos and overcome any prohibitions. The reasons for turning to detabooing are analyzed, including discrediting the opponent, unwillingness to soften the unpleasant realities of life, aggressive behavior, the desire to get closer to the audience, etc.