Contrastive Analysis: The Use of Euphemisms in the Palembang and Minangkabau Languages

Abstrak

Euphemisms are an important part of the linguistic tradition of Indonesian society, including in major cities such as Palembang and Padang. This term refers to the use of more subtle words or expressions to replace words that are considered rude, taboo, or impolite. This study aims to examine the use of euphemisms in everyday conversation in these two cities, each of which has its own linguistic characteristics and cultural influences. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. There are three steps to complete this study, namely preparation, data collection, and data analysis and description. The results show that the use of euphemisms in these two cities differs. Based on the theory proposed by Allan and Burridge, nine forms of euphemisms were found in the Minangkabau language, while thirteen forms were found in the Palembang language. Both languages reflect the way people maintain social harmony and show respect for others through polite and refined language. This research is expected to provide a deeper understanding of the role of language in maintaining values of politeness in the communities of Palembang and Padang.