ON EUPHEMISM委婉语(英语论文).docVIP

ON EUPHEMISM Abstract Researches on euphemism that belongs to the area of indirect speech, will certainly be helpful to the correct comprehension and application of indirect speech. This paper analyses five characteristics of euphemism, namely, universality, culture specificity, re-symbolism, obscurity and beautification. And it also analyses the general reasons why people sometimes resort to euphemisms and expounds the phonetic means and semantic means people usually adopt in euphemizing. Key words: euphemism; characteristics; reason; device 论委婉语 摘要 间接交流中的委婉语的研究，必定对间接交流的理解和运用都很有帮助。本篇论文分析了委婉语的五个特点：广泛性，文化针对性，再替性，晦涩性和美化性。同时也分析了人们运用委婉语的原因以及在委婉语中用到的语音和语义方法。 关键词：委婉语；特点；原因；方式 ON EUPHEMISM 1.Introduction Euphemism is defined in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English as the use of a pleasanter, less direct name of something thought to be unpleasant. The New Edition of the Oxford Concise Dictionary defines euphemism as substitution of mild or vague expression for harsh or direct one;expression thus substituted.In Websters New Collegiate Dictionary , the definition of euphemism reads, substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant. 2.Characteristics of Euphemism Euphemism, as a language phenomenon, has some special characteristics. To succeed in learning a language or associating in the language with the native speakers, learners of the language should pay much attention to the following features of euphemism. 2.1 Universality In almost all cultures there are certain notions or things strongly forbidden by social customs.That is, there are taboos in almost all countries. Generally people try to avoid mentioning the taboos directly. When the taboos have to be referred to , it is likely that people tend to substitute expressions that sound better. 2.2Culture specificity The universal existence of euphemism in languages doesnt mean that euphemisms are identical in different languag