Δυσφημία. Greek Speech Transgression

• Authors: Sandin Pär
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Recorded instances of δυσφημία and βλασφημία, Greek speech transgression with detrimental spiritual impact, are subjected to an analysis by categories. Six concrete types are identified: (1) perceived dogmatic error (rare outside philosophical literature); (2) talk of death; (3) mention of undesirable entities; (4) mention of undesirable outcomes; (5) mention of undesirable human actions, attitudes and traits; (6) generally unpleasant speech, for instance lament, complaint and bad news. These categories partly overlap and may be sorted into three genera: (a) = category 1, false dogmatic assertion; (b) ill omen, that is, the invocation of anything that is undesirable; (c) negative speech that is hateful to the gods on aesthetic grounds, for instance lament and mention of death. The first two genera reflect relatively universal religious attitudes, but with regard to its importance and scope, the last one appears to be culturally specific. It is related to the concept of miasma, spiritual pollution.

Keywords

EN

curse; dysphemia; euphemy; ritual; tragedy

Discipline

• PHILOLOGY_&_LINGUISTICS: PHILOLOGY & LINGUISTICS

• Publisher: Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Eirene. Studia Graeca et Latina
• Year: 2018
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 1-2
• Pages: 97-127

Contributors

author

Sandin Pär

• University of Bergen, Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies, Postbox 7805, NO-5050 Bergen, Norway