Sunday, March 11, 2012
Concept
The concept that really caught my attention was the concept of dysphemism. The definition of dysphemism is using harsh words or expressions to describe someone or something. It is pretty much the opposite of euphemism. For example instead of calling someone overweight, a person using dysphemism will use even more hurtful words such as fatty or pig just to make the person feel worse. People can use dysphemism to say it as a joke too though. For example my friend hasn't been going to the gym recently and he used to always go. Ever since stopping he roughly still looks the same probably only gained a few pounds. He's not fat at all, but my roommates and I always joke with him calling him fat even though he's not. If he really was fat though there would be no way we say that to him because if we meant it that would be mean. Sometimes dysphemism is used for mean purposes though in order to make people upset or put them down. I don't believe it is right for anyone to put others down in the first place.
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I agree with your post. I think using hurtful language can really be damaging to someone, even if it is in jest. For example the other night I was at a party and someone asked me to do something that just wasn’t possible for me to do. We were all having fun and joking around but the guy said “Craig, you’re useless.” I know he was joking around but things like that can be hurtful because it reminded me of another situation where I actually was useless. It is also possible to use language to motivate people. For example I’m sure you want the best for your friend, so calling him out on not going to the gym could motivate him to pick it up again.
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