The goal of this study is to identify the linguistic, social, and cultural elements that influence the use of euphemistic terms in Northern Sotho and Siswati by examining them via a sociolinguistic lens. By looking at how euphemisms work in both languages, the study explores the cultural settings that shape their development as well as the social roles they play in upholding civility, avoiding taboos, and reflecting cultural norms. Data from oral traditions, written texts such as proverbs and folklore, and semi-structured interviews with indigenous speakers are all used in this qualitative study. The study uses sociolinguistic theories, especially Dell Hymes' Ethnography of Communication, to examine how these expressions conform to communicative standards. Thematic analysis is used to identify catego-ries of euphemisms pertaining to death, sexuality, bodily functions, and social hierarchies. The results show that while euphemisms' social roles are identical, their lexicon and metaphorical imagery varies, reflecting different cultural influences. The importance of euphemisms in maintaining oral traditions' intergenerational continuity and their changing application in contemporary settings like media and education are discussed. To foster linguistic respect and cultural understanding, the study's conclu-sion suggests including euphemism studies into language instruction. By enhancing knowledge of eu-phemisms in Bantu languages and illuminating the relationship between language, culture, and soci-ety, it advances scholarly work.
Mdhluli et al. (Tue,) studied this question.