English Abstract
Abstract :
This study aims at investigating the euphemistic expressions used by Bahrainis during Covid-19 pandemic in media discourse.
This investigation was conducted to analyze the euphemistic expressions used by Bahrainis compared to native speakers of English. A comparison between Bahraini Arabic speakers and native English speakers was conducted to explore the similarities and differences in their use of euphemistic expressions doing Covid-19 pandemic period. In addition, a gender comparison was employed to find the impact of gender differences on Bahrainis’ use of euphemistic expressions in their communication about Covid-19 related topics such as disease and death. questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were
used to employ the mixed method approach of qualitative and quantitative analysis in the process of collecting data.
Data were gathered from 300 participants, 150 native speakers and
150 Bahraini Arabic speakers. 20 participants from each group were selected to complete the semi-structured interview questions. To analyze the quantitative data in detail, the SPSS program was used.
The results of the study revealed a variety in the production of euphemistic expressions employed by Bahrainis.
In addition, similarities and differences were detected between native
speaker’ and Bahraini Arabic speakers’ use of euphemistic expressions during their interactions about Covid-19. Furthermore, it was revealed that gender has no significant impact on Bahraini’s use of euphemistic expressions during their communication about Covid-19.
Key words: Euphemism, Euphemistic expressions, Native English, Covid-19 communication.
