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1、 Abstract Euphemism, as a common linguistic phenomenon in world culture, is widely used in every social class and field. English euphemism, as one of many euphemisms existing in the world,has its own deep origin, which include both the religious origin and the historical, literary origin. This thesi
2、s will try to discuss the origin of English euphemism from every aspect of religion, race, politics, literary, and history. Language reflects life, and is always closely related to the society. During the communication, due to some certain restriction of behavior and morality, people tend to use eup
3、hemismused as a kind of lubrication, making the harsh, indelicate words sound tactful and pleasant. English euphemism plays a very important role in peoples social communication. This paper will also expound the social communicative function of English euphemism from the three aspects: evasive funct
4、ion, polite function, and cosmetic function. Having a good understanding of the origin and social function of English euphemism and the English language culture can avoid many conflicts in the process of social communication.Key Words origin; communicative function; evasion; cosmetic function; polit
5、eness【摘 要】 委婉语是世界文化中普遍存在的语言现象,它广泛应用于社会各阶层和领域。英语委婉语作为众多委婉语中的一种,具有其产生的深厚渊源,其中包宗教与政治的,也包括文学与历史的。本文试图从宗教、种族、政治、文学、历史等方面入手来探讨英语委婉语的产生渊源。语言反映生活,并且总是和社会紧密联系在一起,在语言交谈中,由于一定的行为规范和道德准则的制约,人们通常使用委婉语-这一“润滑剂”,使刺耳,不文雅的话变得委婉愉悦。它在人们的社会交际过程中发挥着重要作用。本文从其避讳功能、礼貌功能以及掩饰功能三方面阐释了英语委婉语的社会交际功能。通过充分理解英语委婉语的起源及其社会交际功能,进一步理解英语
6、语言文化,以避免社会交际中的各种冲突。 【关键词】起源; 交际功能 ; 避讳; 礼貌; 掩饰1.IntroductionEuphemism is a cultural phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept. Every language has its own euphemism, so does English. It is deeply rooted in social life and has a great influence on social communication. As an indispensable and natural
7、 part of English language, English euphemism hasattracted peoples attention for a long time. Since Euphemism was coined, it has played a very important role in peoples communication. The communication without euphemism is unimaginable.Euphemism is used like lubrication, which makes the communication
8、 go on smoothly. This thesiswill have an overview of the origin of English euphemism, and state its social communicative function.English euphemism as a linguistic concept, it has close relationships with the western culture, and it truly reflects the life and values of English people and their hist
9、ory. Euphemism is a particularly good medium for access to the force of language that has provided an effective approach to understanding the human mind. The study of English euphemism can help us understand the westernculture and promote the international development because euphemism is widely use
10、d in international negotiations. So there is a great need for us to study English euphemism, including: its origin,its social function, etc.2. The definitions of English euphemismEuphemism is a universal linguistic phenomenon. Nearly in every language, there are some disgusting words, which make peo
11、ple feel embarrassed. In the process of communication, the unsuitable or too direct words will make people feel uncomfortable, even angry. Then there is a great need for us to use a tactful way to express emotion, exchange ideas. That is to say, to use a pleasant, mild or indirect words or phrases t
12、ake the place of tabooed words.It is known that euphemism is a form of language intentionally created in social relation to achieve ideal communication. Without them any language would seem to be vulgar and rude, void of politeness and vividness to some extent. As a common communication in the proce
13、ss of people using language, euphemism is an important way for people to coordinate the social relationships. Like a kind of lubrication, euphemism enables people to express what cannot be uttered directly and ensures communication to be carried smoothly. It is a language strategy in civilized socie
14、ty for avoiding taboo. It is unimaginable if the communication is without euphemism.The word “euphemism” was derived from the Greek word “euphemismos”, which means “fair speech”. The prefix “eu” means “good, sound well” and “pheme” means “saying” or “speech”. And thus the literal meaning of “euphemi
15、sm” is “to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner”. That is to say, euphemism is used as an alternative to unpleasant expression, in order to avoid possible lose of face, either ones own face or through going offense, that of the audience, or some of third of party. This unpleasant expression
16、 may be tabooed, fearsome, or for some other reasons thatspeakers cant or intend not to use some certain expression directly on some occasion. “In Websters Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language is the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought substituted. Rawson Blunt, a British writer, defined euphemism as a good favorable interpretation of a bad word.”1 “Encyclopedia Britannica(1994) also defines euphemism as a figure
