THE ETHICS OF USING EUPHEMISMS IN THE ENGLISH-UKRAINIAN TRANSLATION OF SOCIO-POLITICAL TEXTS

Abstract

The article considers the ethics of using euphemisms in the English – Ukrainian translation of socio-political texts. The issue of euphemism in the social and political context from the Ukrainian and foreign researchers` point of view is analysed. The current political situation of a country is inseparably connected with the welfare of its society. An analysis of scholarly works confirms that to achieve adequacy and equivalence in translation and preserve the stylistic and pragmatic nuances of euphemisms in the target language, a translator can use a direct equivalent, employ stylistic transformations, or discard the euphemistic potential of the original vocabulary during the translation process. The competence of political figures and participants in political communication on the international stage, as well as within the state, allows for the dissemination of ideas, the establishment of connections, the promotion of civic engagement, and the ability to influence people's ways of thinking and behavior. It is stated that euphemization is a mandatory condition for politically correct speech in intercultural communication. Since the evolution of euphemistic potential is directly related to the characteristics of culture, euphemistic vocabulary is an unstable component of the language system, complicating the process of translation into the target language. Furthermore, over time, the pragmatic potential of euphemisms tends to change, acquiring the characteristics of the concepts they are used to denote. Euphemia, as a multidimensional and dynamic phenomenon, is extensively studied within various approaches, particularly in the context of translation. An analysis of speeches by contemporary American politicians shows that euphemisms are widely used to describe social, economic, and political issues. They help highlight the positive aspects of government actions or avoid addressing complex issues without losing their influence on the audience. At the same time, euphemisms reduce emotional tension, ensuring an attenuated approach to the conveyed and rendered information.