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ABSTRACT
Ogwashi-uku, a vibrant community in Nigeria, showcases a rich tapestry of linguistic traditions embedded in its use of euphemisms. This ethnolinguistic descriptive account delves into the cultural significance and linguistic nuances of euphemisms within the Ogwashi-uku community. Through a comprehensive analysis of language structures, sociocultural contexts, and semantic shifts, this study aims to unveil the intricate web of euphemistic expressions and their role in shaping communication norms. By examining the lexicon of euphemisms in Ogwashi-uku, this research endeavors to shed light on the intricate interplay between language, culture, and social etiquettes within this unique community, offering insights into the profound significance of euphemisms in conveying sensitive topics while preserving cultural identity and social harmony. The theoretical frameworks used in this study are linguistic relativity and symbolic interactionism respectively showcasing how the use of euphemisms can change thought patterns and the way we perceive the world, and also the use of symbols or objects to represent language. The method of data collection involved the use of questionnaires, interviews and text analysis from past researches. The major results showcases how the use of euphemism varies with the gender, age, social status, and occupation of the social members and euphemism covers various aspects of social culture, including social conventions, traditional morality, religion, social values and politics etc. which shows that euphemism is deeply rooted in social culture. This work therefore recommends the use of euphemism in social communications. Conversely, sarcastic language should be avoided as that will damage face.
