taboo禁忌语与委婉语讲义.ppt

TABOO TABOO behaviors（ acts or speeches） that are believed to be scared, dangerous, unpleasant or defensive, which are strictly forbidden in many situations, especially in modern civilization, but only allowed and used by certain people in some specific circumstances. LINGUISTIC TABOO DEFINITION words or a type of language people in some situation, out of politeness or avoiding spurring strong dislike that could not or would not literally use. THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF LINGUISTIC TABOO taboo tabu (Tonga, Polynesian language) holy, special or unclean James Cook the navigator 18th century visit That’s odd! Linguistic taboo When people had a hard time telling the language and reality, there emerged the phenomenon of linguistic taboo. —— S.I.Hayakawa Linguistic symbols are arbitrary. —— Saussure ?? language reality linguistic symbols the real objects or matters DIE/ DEATH leaving the world and losing one’s conscious, usually along with physical pain,which is rather miserable and also irresistible, for it’s the end of life that no one can escape. THE CLASSIFICATION OF ENGLISH TABOOS Here I would roughly classify English taboos into ten different types death and illness evil and fault greetings religion sex excretion color and number appearance and figures insulting nicknames profession and social status sex ? Don’t mention words related to sex or parts of the body! ? No four-letter words! breast – white meat leg – black meat go to bed – to retire ?? f**k, shit, tits, piss, cunt, cock, etc. religion ??OMG, Jesus Christ! ( you can use “oh my!” or “my!” ) ■ Never use words about Jesus, Christ, God! greetings ?? Never ask about income, age, weight, etc. ◆ No private questions! excretion ■ Don’t use vulgar words about excretion! ??shit/ piss/ vomit / toilet/ lavatory toilet – restroom/ washroom go to lavatory – answer the call of nature sweat – perspi