This research preoccupies itself mainly with the pragmatic analysis of
the use of euphemisms in Yoruba language. It sets out to examine
euphemisms as used by Yoruba speakers and to analyse the dynamics that
govern their use by identifying the direct and indirect acts performed
by Yoruba speakers in the selected euphemisms and to investigate the
extent to which Politeness Maxims are adhered to in the selected
euphemisms. Eighty seven euphemisms were used for analysis: thirty seven
were gathered from the responses given on the word and sentence
compilation task administered, while fifty others were gathered from
conversations in recorded interviews and a Yoruba programme on African
Independent Television, titled „Minijojo‟. The data is gathered through
the use of a triangulation method which is a multiple method of
gathering data via; observation, semi- structured interview and word and
sentence compilation task. The work employs an eclectic theoretical
framework by drawing insights from the Speech Acts theory proposed by
Austin (1962) and Searle (1976); and the Politeness Principle as put
forward by Brown and Levinson (1978&1987), which is based on the
specification of the Politeness Maxims outlined by Leech (1993): Tact,
Generosity, Approbation, Modesty, Agreement and Sympathy Maxims. The
findings reveal that a large number of Yoruba speakers, who belong to
the younger age group of 20-35 have little or no understanding at all of
the use of euphemisms in Yoruba language, thus, they do not use them in
conversations. The study also reveals that the data analysed in the
study are used to perform assertive acts, directly and expressive acts
indirectly as they help in projecting the speaker‟s intention in the use
of the euphemisms during conversations. Tact maxim, approbation maxim
followed by the sympathy maxim, appears to be more powerful in the use
of euphemisms by Yoruba speaker than others. This reflects the fact that
in the use of euphemisms politeness is given so much credence as
speakers strongly focus on pleasing others than self. Moreover, it is
found that the negative euphemism is significantly used in Yoruba,
because most of the euphemisms presented in the analysis used by the
speakers were used as a means to avoid one taboo or the other. This in
turn relates to the general law of politeness, of which the negative
politeness (avoidance of discord) is of more weighty consideration than
positive politeness (seeking concord).