A Lexico-Semantic Comparative Analysis of Euphemisms Related to the Body, Health and Private Life in Contemporary English and Uzbek Media Discourse (Social Media, Online News and Blogs)

Abstract

This article examines the lexico-semantic characteristics of euphemisms referring to the body, health, and private life in contemporary English and Uzbek media discourse, with particular attention to social media, online news, and blogs. The research adopts a theoretical, qualitative comparative approach informed by studies of taboo language, face, politeness, and conceptual metaphor. Selected illustrative expressions are classified according to semantic field, formation mechanism, and pragmatic function. The analysis considers metaphor, metonymy, periphrasis, borrowing, and graphic modification, including forms associated with digital platform communication. The comparison suggests that both languages employ similar linguistic resources to mitigate sensitive meanings, protect interpersonal relationships, and negotiate socially acceptable expression. At the same time, the selected Uzbek examples foreground respect, family relationships, and religiously informed conventions, while some English examples reflect inclusive language and platform-related avoidance strategies. Because the study does not use a systematically sampled corpus, its findings are interpretive rather than statistical and identify directions for future empirical investigation.