Euphemism Strategies in President Buhari’s Arise TV Interview

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to check the use of euphemism in Political Discourse. It features the functions and aim of euphemism, and the role it plays in changing people’s ideologies. It tries to give reasons for the use of euphemism as a politeness strategy that tends to be manipulative in effect. For the purpose of answering the research questions, President Buhari’s Arise TV interview of 10th June, 2021 was analyzed using Leech’s Politeness Principle Maxims to identifying the use of euphemism and its purpose. This study adopts a descriptive qualitative design where excerpts of responses of President Buhari which contains politeness were analysed. The outcome of the analyses shows that euphemism, as used in Political Discourse, is geared towards manipulative tendencies as politicians avoid criticisms, alter the truth, alter people’s ideologies for their own good will and show appeal self-image of a civilized person and not a savage under the guise of politeness.