Euphemism and Dissimulation in Turkish Folk Belief and Practice An Example of Birth and Death

Abstract

Every language contains expressions that would be improper, tactless, rude, or even disgraceful to use in certain situations, and every culture similarly censures certain forms of behavior. When one wants to express something so censured in language, one uses a form of dissimulation known as a euphemism. When one wants to act in a way not permitted by one’s society one uses a different form of dissimulation, affecting the semblance of propriety while doing something inappropriate. Both verbal and behavioral dissimulation are used positively in certain cultures to ward off or fool evil spirits. In this article, verbal and behavioral dissimulative practices are examined and analyzed in different Turkish communities. The scope of this study is limited to such practices as they pertain to birth and death Every language contains expressions that would be improper, tactless, rude, or even disgraceful to use in certain situations, and every culture similarly censures certain forms of behavior. When one wants to express something so censured in language, one uses a form of dissimulation known as a euphemism. When one wants to act in a way not permitted by one’s society one uses a different form of dissimulation, affecting the semblance of propriety while doing something inappropriate. Both verbal and behavioral dissimulation are used positively in certain cultures to ward off or fool evil spirits. In this article, verbal and behavioral dissimulative practices are examined and analyzed in different Turkish communities. The scope of this study is limited to such practices as they pertain to birth and death

Keywords

• Dissimulation, euphemism, birth, death, Turkish folk beliefs

Türk Halk İnanışlarında Örtmece ve Gerçeği Gizleme İle İlgili Uygulamalar, Doğum ve Ölüm Örneği

Abstract

Keywords

• -