浅析英语委婉语的特点和功能BRIEF STUDY ON THE CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONS OF ENGLISH EUPHEMISM.doc

浅析英语委婉语的特点和功能 BRIEF STUDY ON THE CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONS OF ENGLISH EUPHEMISM Abstract Euphemism is a common phenomenon when people use language, which is not only a social language phenomenon, but it is also a cultural phenomenon. We all need to communicate in our daily life or in diplomacy. However, because of the difference of habit or custom and the taboo of different culture, we must learn to use euphemism to avoid embarrassment or unhappiness. In western cultures, many of the fields that people tend to euphemize widely are not different from anywhere in the world. This paper introduces the definition of English euphemism and the relationship between euphemism and taboos. It mainly focuses on the characteristics and functions of English euphemism. English euphemism has many characteristics. It refers to it’s nationality, universality and obscurity. From some examples and contrasts with Chinese we could know more details about the characteristics of English euphemism. Then, it mainly discusses the social communicative functions of English euphemism, for example, the evasive functions, polite functions and comestic functions of English euphemism. It mainly talks about the evasive functions of English euphemism. From some aspects such as death, physical illness, old age and sex we could find more details about the functions of English euphemism. It is easy for us to find out that euphemism exists in every aspect in our daily life. Whatever countries and times, people try to avoid mentioning certain notions or things directly, even when there is such a term in the language. When such a notion or thing has to be referred to, the practice will be to substitute a different term or phrase that sounds better. From this thesis, we could find that use euphemism correctly can benefits a lot. It makes people feel better when they start a conversation. Euphemism also let us happy in communication. If all of us know how to use euphemism exactly, people will find tha