Haluan Sastra Budaya
Vol 10, No 1 (2026)

Analysis of Euphemisms and Dysphemisms Expressions in the Podcast “Pertemuan Bersejarah dr. Tirta dan dr. Gia”

Najmi Ali Mumtaz (Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang)
Imam Baehaqie (Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang)
Rustono Rustono (Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the linguistic dichotomy in medical communication in the digital era, focusing on euphemism and dysphemism. The interaction between dr. Tirta Mandira Hudhi and dr. Gia Pratama's appearance on Raditya Dika's podcast serves as a unique sociolinguistic case study in which professional medical authority is negotiated through contrasting verbal styles. Drawing on Keith Allan and Kate Burridge's Theory of Taboo, the research employs a descriptive qualitative method with note-taking to analyze the transcript. The problem identified is the traditional taboo nature of medical discourse, encompassing disease, death, and professional failure, which must be reformulated for a diverse digital audience. Findings reveal that dr. Gia predominantly employs euphemistic strategies to “shield” and maintain professional “face” and interpersonal harmony, aligning with his “backstage energy.” Conversely, dr. Tirta utilizes dysphemistic language as a “weapon”, including profanity and harsh dialects, as a pedagogical instrument to shock and engage specific demographics. The analysis shows that these styles function as a “Yin and Yang” dialectic, where euphemism preserves institutional dignity while dysphemism achieves educational penetration through blunt realism. This synthesis suggests a paradigm shift in how medical expertise is presented to the public, blending clinical decorum with digital-native authenticity.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

hsb

Publisher

Subject

Arts Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Haluan Satra Budaya (HSB) is a biannual scientific journal of humanities published by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia. This journal issues research papers, conceptual frameworks, and case studies are drawn from a wide range of disciplines, Language and ...