It Goes Without Saying: The Language We Use and Avoid
Pablo Martin CrovettoAbstract
This article examines how everyday language deals with topics that feel difficult to name directly, especially those related to death, sex, the body, and desire. It shows how euphemism and metaphor are not simply decorative figures of speech, but central tools societies use to manage what feels uncomfortable or unspeakable. By combining familiar examples with a brief historical perspective, the piece illustrates how both words and silences reveal values, fears, and assumptions a culture might have. The article introduces key ideas from the humanities in an accessible way, inviting young readers to reflect on the language they use and hear every day, and to consider how those linguistic choices shape the way people imagine the world and relate to one another.