EuphemismsEuphemisms are typically used to talk about

awkward or uncomfortable subjects. When might an awkward or uncomfortable subject

need to be discussed by a dental professional?The idea of DEATH and DYING, for example has many euphemisms:

Pass away, pass on, expire, deceased, perish, meet one's death, meet one's end, be taken, yield one's breath, resign one's breath, resign

one's being, resign one's life, end one's days, end one's life, breathe one's last, cease to live, cease to breathe, depart this life, be no more,

lose one's life, lay down one's life, relinquish one's life, surrender one's life, pay the debt to nature, make one's will, step out, die a natural death, come to an untimely end, catch one's death, kick the bucket, buy the farm, turn up one's toes, six feet under, pushing up daisies,

worm food…Which of these euphemisms are more formal? Less formal? Which would be appropriate for a respectful obituary? Which might be used in

a distasteful joke?

• Such subjects are often described in great detail in legal documents and court cases.

Introduction to the concept

04/15/23

EuphemismsA euphemism is a word or expression that is used when people want

to find a polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics.

We had our sick dog killed We had Fido put down/put to sleep.

Fat person stocky/heavy person overweight person*Ugly person plain personHe is lazy He is not working to his full potential or He has

a relaxed attitude about his work She is disruptive She has difficulty concentratingHe is loud and arrogant He has strong opinions about

everything and is not afraid to voice them Poor person needy, under-privileged, disadvantaged or

economically deprived. Crippled handicapped disabled*Housewife domestic engineerOld person senior; elderlySecretary Administrative assistant

* Note that sometimes euphemisms are replaced

by further euphemized words/phrases

General information and

examples

Adapted from: http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/easy/euphem.htm04/15/23

Dental EuphemismsDental

Nomenclature

amalgam

anesthesia

bur

dental caries

dental explorer

topical fluoride

matrix band

prophylaxis paste

radiograph

rubber dam

stainless steel crown

X-ray machine

 

Euphemisms

silver filling

sleepy water

germ chaser

tooth spots

tooth counter

tooth vitamins

Queen's crown

toothpaste

tooth picture

raincoat

shiny cap

camera

Field-specific activities

04/15/23

Think of language that might be used in place of the following sensitive words?

BloodPusPainShotRotten

Can you think of other

examples?

Use some of these euphemisms to role play professional scenarios.

Legal EuphemismsProtective custodyInternment facilityPacifyPerson of interestCollateral damageSubstance abuserLaw enforcement

officerCan you think of other examples?

Field-specific activities

04/15/23

Think of language that might be used in place of the following sensitive words?

BloodSemenGunKillNaked

Use some of these euphemisms to role play professional scenarios.

1a) City Diner is a small restaurant at the edge of town.Vs.

1b) City Diner is a greasy spoon on the other side of the tracks.1c) City Diner is a delightful eatery on a cozy tree-lined street. 2a) “From the looks of your mouth, you have not been brushing

as I have instructed you. Why aren’t you taking care of your teeth?”

Vs.2b) “Your teeth don’t look as clean as they could be. Are you

having any difficulty using the cleaning techniques we talked about last time?

Denotation & ConnotationLook at the sentences below. Discuss the meanings of these

utterances.

Introduction to the concept

Is the message the same in 1a, 1b and 1c? 2a and 2b? What differs between the sets?

04/15/23

Denotation & ConnotationDenotation: The dictionary meaning (literal meaning) of a wordConnotation: The emotional or cultural meaning attached to a word

Denotation:  A young human being; offspringConnotation:

Child: young personKid: young person (informal)Youngster: younger than others in a groupJuvenile: not yet reaching maturityRug rat: troublesome youth

Consider the words: child, kid, youngster, juvenile & rug rat

How can we learn the denotation of a word? How can we learn the connotation of a word?

General information and

examples

Decide whether each

word has a positive,

neutral or negative

connotation.

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Denotation & ConnotationDecide whether each of these words has a positive,

neutral or negative connotation to the average listener.

Which would be easier for a patient to hear? “Do you ever spit out blood?” OR “What color is

your saliva?”

Field-specific structured activities

04/15/23

Denotation & ConnotationWhat impact might come from paying attention

to denotation and connotation in your speaking?

What impact might come from NOT paying attention to denotation and connotation in your speaking?

What might you gain from paying attention to denotation and connotation when listening to others?

How might you strengthen your understanding of word connotation?

Field-specific open-ended

activities

04/15/23

Direct vs. Indirect LanguageMany American English speakers are quite

wary of being rude so they often default to indirect language to avoid this.

Examples: Indirect: I was hoping that you could finish

that project today. It’s really important. Direct: The project is already late. Why

aren’t you finished yet?What differences do you note between the indirect and the direct

examples?When would you use direct language?

When would you use indirect language?

Introduction to the concept

04/15/23

When might indirect language be more appropriate than direct language?

* Criticizing the behavior of others* Complaining* Making suggestions* Self-praise * Requesting help or favors

Direct vs. Indirect Language

General information and

examples

Lend me the book. Vs. Can I borrow the book?04/15/23

Direct vs. Indirect LanguageDirect

1. Where is the explorer?

2. Open your mouth.

3. This will hurt.

4. Sit down.

5.

6. You’re late for your appointment.

7.

Indirect

1. Have you seen the explorer?

2. Could you open up a bit more?

3. You might feel a bit of a pinch.

4.

5. You might want to consider

flossing more frequently.

6.

7. Could you please pass the cheek retractor?

If you needed the signature of your professor, how would you ask? If you wanted your roommate to pass you the newspaper, how would you

ask?

In what kinds of circumstances would each of the above sentences likely be used?

Field-specific activities

What structura

l and vocabular

y differences do you

notice between

direct and

indirect language

?

04/15/23

Culmination Scenario Role play the following challenging situation

incorporating politeness strategies.

Legal ExampleDescribe to your colleague a case that you are

reading involving a 400-pound man who fell out of his hospital bed and didn’t receive any help for 3 hours. When the staff found him, he was covered in blood and urine. He was so angry when a nurse finally came, that he hit her and broke her nose. The hospital called the police and he’s suing the hospital and the nursing staff.

Field-specific open-ended

activities

04/15/23

Communication Evaluation

Field-specific open-ended

activities

Watch the video clip and consider the following: •Are the professionals communicating in a way that will build relationships?• What do you see as positive components of their

communication styles?• What suggestions might you offer to improve

politeness or appropriateness?

04/15/23

Watch a short segment and revise for increased politeness.

Role play one of the segments or continue the conversation in a polite tone.