A corpus-based study of euphemising body parts in Arabic subtitles

This corpus-based study investigates euphemisms used in Arabic subtitles for private body part-related taboo words (PBPRTW) from Hollywood films. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the study analyzed 75 films, finding that 95% of PBPRTW were toned down, euphemized, or omitted, with only 5% retained. Seven euphemism strategies were identified: metaphorical transfer, preservation, implication, metonymy, semantic misrepresentation, widening, and omission. The study explores the relationship between euphemism strategies and the functions of taboo words (descriptive, abusive, referential, idiomatic), highlighting the impact of cultural and linguistic differences between English and Arabic on subtitling practices.

Yousef Sahari