浅谈英语委婉语和伊拉克战争(1)(6)
2015-06-05 02:33
导读：“Tonight I want to take few minutes to discuss a grave threat to peace, and America’s determination to lead the world in confronting that threat. The threat comes from Iraq…. It possesses and pr
“Tonight I want to take few minutes to discuss a grave threat to peace, and America’s determination to lead the world in confronting that threat. The threat comes from Iraq…. It possesses and produces chemical and biological weapons. It is seeking nuclear weapons. It has given shelter and support to terrorism, and practices terror against its own people. The entire world has witnessed Iraq’s eleven-year history of defiance, deception and bad faith…. Knowing these realities, America must not ignore the threat gathering against us. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof--- the smoking gun--- that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud…. For the sake of peace, we will lead a coalition forces to disarm him…. Now, as before, we will secure our nation, protect our freedom, and help others to find freedom of their own…. By our courage, we will secure the peace, and lead the world to a better day.”[17]
Looking at the above speech from a linguistic angle, we can easily find that euphemisms are actually little windows into people’s minds and hearts; peeping holes into people’s culture.
Let’s keep track of euphemisms in the Iraq War to understand their functions and to see how they are in the service of politics.
5.1 Euphemism in Bush administration and American media
The American government and media have already made full use of politics and war euphemism long before the Iraq War. Such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the 9.11 Event, and the Afghanistan War have all seen the employment or the creation of the war euphemisms. And in the Iraq War, they had brought the usage of politics and war euphemism to a new height.
(1) Pre-emptive action
Early before the Iraq War, President Bush has already put forward his “pre-emptive action” idea. On Jane 1, 2002, he delivered the graduation speech at West Point:
“Our security will require all Americans to be forward-looking and resolute, to be ready for pre-emptive action when necessary to defend our lives.”[18]
（转载自http://zw.nseac.coM科教作文网）
The surprised attack against Iraq is termed pre-emptive action by Bush. A pre-emptive action gives the impression that the action is considered necessary to deter an enemy attack. Or the enemy will attack their country firstly. It therefore seems morally right to justify its invasion. But in fact, it shows no evidence of an Iraqi nuclear weapons programs and no signs, traces or examples of chemical weapons being deployed in the field to attack America.
(2) Operation of Iraqi Freedom/ disarm the Iraqi regime/ military action/ military conflict
President George W. Bush gives Saddam Hussein 48-hour deadline to flee Iraq or face a US-led invasion, saying American forces will wage war “at a time of our choosing”.
The President:
“My fellow citizens, events in Iraq have now reached the final days of decision. For more than a decade, the United States and other nations have pursued patient and honorable efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime without war…. We have sent hundreds of weapons inspectors to oversee the disarmament of Iraq. I hope this will not require military action. Our good faith has not been returned…. Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at a time of our choosing….” “Saddam Hussein must disarm himself or, for the sake of peace, we will lead a coalition force to disarm him.”[19]
