毕业论文外国语论文模板_How_to_Improve_English_Reading_Ability.doc

毕业论文（设计）开题报告毕业论文题 目 How to Improve English Reading Ability in Practice 姓 名 学 号 专业年级 指导教师 职 称 年 月 日毕业论文摘要 本文研究英语委婉语的定义、起源与发展，分类及其应用和交际作用。在此研究上，我们了解到英语委婉语是语言交际中的一种较为普遍的现象，也是人类文明发展的产物。在英语中，委婉语的产生与宗教的影响和英语国家的文化背景有着密不可分的关系。同其他语言中的委婉语一样，英语委婉语被广泛地使用在人们活动的各个方面，发挥着避讳、礼貌、掩饰等交际功能。对委婉语的了解，可以减少语言交际中的困惑或尴尬，而且通过使用更文雅或适当的英语委婉语，可以改善和协调人际关系。此外，在邓炎昌、刘润清在语言与文化英汉语言文化对比一文的研究结果上，我们了解到英语委婉语的语用功能，在社会的进步和人类文明发展中，它始终伴随着整个社会的言语交际过程，发挥了很好的、不可替代的作用。罗森智力在英语委婉语的词典一文中谈到了英语委婉语的社会功能，说明了它是调剂人际关系的一个十分重要的手段。研究和了解英语委婉语，不仅能明显地提高学习者的英语鉴赏和应用水平，而且能了解到英美等国家的社会心理和风俗文化，更重要的是对于英语教学和英语学习也具有一定的启发和指导意义。关键词：英语委婉语；起源；发展；应用；交际功能AbstractThis thesis is aiming at discussing the definition, origin and development, classification, application together with social functions of English euphemisms with specific examples which help learners to better understand the functions and usage of English euphemisms in order to communicate better. English euphemism is a common phenomenon in communication, also it is the outcome of human civilization. In the English world, the origin of euphemisms has close relationship with the religion and culture background of English-speaking countries. English euphemisms have been widely used in all aspects of our daily life and have three social functions: taboo; courtesy and concealment. To comprehend euphemisms can lessen the confusion or embarrassment in communication; moreover, it can harmonize interpersonal relationship. Besides, on the basis of the conclusion, Dengyanchang and Liurunqing have referred to the English euphemisms pragmatic functions in Language and Culture-English Chinese Language Culture Comparison. From it, we know, with the development of society and human civilization, it plays a very important role in the verbal communication. Moreover, Rawson, Hughhasalsotalkedabout the English euphemisms social functions in A Dictionary of Euphemisms and Other Doublespeak and explained that it contributes to adjusting interpersonal relationship.Therefore, studying and comprehending English euphemisms can improve the learners level of English appreciation and application and to know the social psychology and custom culture as well. Last but not least, it can also enlighten and guide us for English teaching and learning.Keywords: English euphemisms; origin; development; application; social functions IIContents摘要IAbstractII1. Introduction12. Definition, Origin and Development of English Euphemisms32.1 Definition of English Euphemisms32.2 Origin and Development of English Euphemisms33. The Classification and Application of English Euphemisms53.1 Classification of English Euphemisms53.2 Application of English Euphemisms53.2.1 English Euphemisms for “Dead”53.2.2 English Euphemisms for “Bathroom”53.2.3 English Euphemisms for “Pregnant”63.2.4 English Euphemisms for “Disease”63.2.5 English Euphemisms for “Occupation”73.2.6 English Euphemisms for “Politics”74. The Social Functions of English Euphemisms84.1 The Function of Avoiding Taboo84.2 The Function of Courtesy94.3 The Function of Concealment105. Conclusion11Bibliography12Acknowledgements13毕业论文1. IntroductionEuphemism is a kind of verbal form created by people who want to reach ideal effectsin the social communication. It is not just a language phenomenon, but a social linguistic one. Comprehending and mastering English euphemisms not only can improve the ability of English reading comprehension, but also obviously strengthen the learners level of English appreciation and application. More importantly, it can help us know the social psychology and custom culture of Britain and America together with any other countries. As long as we carefully study the wider usage of English euphemisms and understand social functions of euphemisms, we can comprehend and use them better. Hence, studying and comprehending it canhelp learners training ofcross-cultural communicative sense. In addition, it can also enlighten and guide us for English teaching and learning.English euphemism is a common phenomenon in human verbal communication. It is amuch more polite statement when people talk about those things which make them unhappy or embarrassed. It is well known that euphemism is both a language phenomenon and a culture phenomenon. In the verbal communication, since you are afraid of hurting others feelings or you are not allowed to say something manifest, you intentionally avoid speaking directly. Sometimes you need to talk obscurely in order to reach implicit effect. So it is the outcome of social psychology factors along with pragmatic elements. From it coming into being, it has a close relation with social culture areas. To some extent, it mirrors generality and particularity of social development, social values, ethics as well as cultural nationality and intercommunity. As a result, euphemism is the language reflection of social culture psychology.As for this topic, there are some scholars studying it as follows: Dengyanchang and Liurunqing have referred to the English euphemisms pragmatic functions in Language and Culture-English Chinese Language Culture Comparison. With the development of society and human civilization, it plays a very important role in the verbal communication. Moreover, Rawson, Hughhasalsotalkedabout the English euphemisms social functions in A Dictionary of Euphemisms and Other Doublespeak and explained that it contributes to adjusting interpersonal relationship. This topicmainly discusses the definition, classification, origin and development, applicationas well as the social functions of English euphemisms. This thesis aims to help us understand language culture and improve oursocial communicative abilities.2. Definition, Origin and Development of English Euphemisms2.1 Definition of English EuphemismsEnglish euphemism originated from euphemisms of Greek. Its prefix eu- means well, good and its stem-pheme- means speech so that euphemism is the word of good omen. Though different dictionaries emphasize different aspects, they still express the same meanings. In other words, they translate the taboo, sensitive, vulgar language into the more implicit, pleasant way to get more elegant, gentle language effect.2.2 Origin and Development of English EuphemismsEnglish euphemism is the reflection of social psychology in language; it is also the outcome of certain social cultural environment. So its origin and development are bound up with the change of times. Originally, ithad somethingto do with religion. As a result of both Britain and America believing in Christianity, in the long history, religion has influenced human cultural all aspects. Especially in the long middle century, religionspower and influence covered everywhere in order that Christianitys tenets became the mental norm of the society. Hence, as to the most frightening natural phenomenon, such as “dead”, people would relieve from the religion. In the meanwhile, because of the effect of religion ideas, those which replaced natural phenomenons language were considered more mental meanings that caused theEnglish euphemisms of “dead” originated from the Bible or others about Christianitys legends where it incarnated the Christianitys view of life and the religion explanations of dead. For example, to return to the dust; to pay the debt of nature; to be called to God and so on. Besides, Christianity affected English euphemisms a lot, even the other sides of life. For instance, to get sb s goat，toget on the right side of sb, the serpents tongue, fig leaf, etc. Those all originated from Bible.With the development of society, people in more and more areas are going to make use of English euphemisms. In modern life, except traditional taboos using them, so do the sensitive fields. Such as money, position, politics, military affairs and so on. In every history periods of Britain and America and any other countries, to cover up the reality, politics community conceals the tense laborer relation by largely adopting English euphemisms. Such as, phase itself out, industrial dispute, etc.The origin and development of Englisheuphemisms are also very closely connected with the womens status in society. Respecting the women is the symbol of a societys civilized degree. With the improvement of society and womens status, it is becoming a common way that weattach much more importance to womens feelings. And we adopt implicit way to express because we could not speak directly before female; moreover, the population of female occupies nearly half of the whole population. So it is a necessary choice that we use English euphemisms in womens occasions.3. The Classification and Application of English Euphemisms3.1 Classification of English EuphemismsEnglish euphemisms can be divided into two parts: traditional euphemisms and style euphemisms. Generally speaking, the former is closelyrelated to the taboo，such as disease, dead, funeral and so on. If we speak directly, others will feel vulgar and impolite. Therefore, wed better not speak like that but we should talk about something implicitly so as to make people feel polite. As a matter offact, the latter isthe compliment andhas nothing to do with taboo. In the communication of Britain and America, in order to indicate oneself having culture, education, and politeness or reach ones goal, people sometimes could make use of some exaggeration or modification to pay the compliments on the unhappy things. In the cross-cultural communication, if we dont understand euphemisms pragmatic functions, which may lead to misunderstanding or embarrassment, it might make the communicative activities interrupt or fail. As a wide language phenomenon, euphemism plays acrucial important part in improving interpersonal relationship, promoting communicative activities and achieving ideal communication.3.2 Application of English Euphemisms3.2.1 English Euphemisms for “Dead”No matter when people dont like to mention “dead”, in that way, they can lessen their pains because of “dead”. It is well known that there are a great many words and phrases to say “dead” in Chinese. For example, pass away, dedicate oneself to and sacrifice oneself, etc. And there are also a large number of different statements in English. Such as depart; meet ones end; end ones days; to be no more; pass away; go west; to breathe ones last; fall asleep; to lay down ones life; to give up the ghost; to answer the last call; to abandon the world; to pay the debt of nature; to be asleep in the arms of God; to be safe in the arms of Jesus; to be at peace; to be at rest; to be brought to ones last home; to be gathered to ones fathers; to be taken to paradise; to meet ones maker; to join the angels; to return to the dust; bite the bullet; to go to glory and so on.3.2.2 English Euphemisms for “Bathroom”Although it is avoid-less that we go to bathroom everyday and that is our physiology pattern, with the development of human civilization, we will try to avoid those words and speak other more implicit words in the elegant and formal occasions. For example, relieve oneself, go to the bathroom, etc. In the English world, “bathroom culture” ismuch more colorful. For instance Ladies(Room), Mens (Room), Gents. WC (water closet) is the most common euphemism used by European. Moreover, there are more implicit phrases to say Ladies(Room).Such as, dressing room, powder room, and lounge and wash room. When talking with other people, we want to go to the bathroom, we can ask: May I please be excused? May I go to thebathroom, please? May I please leave the room? When at home or in the company, we could also say: May I use the facilities? What is the geography of the house? If meeting some good friends, we may speak humorously like these: Im going to do my business. I am going to myprivate office. I am going to answer the natures call. Besides, women can talk about like this: Can I go toadd some powder?3.2.3 English Euphemisms for “Pregnant”People often adopt some implicit expressions because “pregnant” has some relation with “sex”. To describe it, we will say someone is pregnant in Chinese. In the English world, we will say: She is expecting. She is five years gone. In addition, to wear the apron high; to be in a delicate condition; a lady-in-waiting. Certainly a mother-to -be is the same with the example in Chinese.3.2.4 English Euphemisms for “Disease”No matter where the persons are, they are afraid of disease and they are not willing to mention it, especially incurable disease. To lighten the patients pressure, improve their physiology endurance and strengthen their confidence to overcome disease, people make use of some evasive statements. For instance, they often speak bigC or long illness instead of cancer，speak social diseaseinstead ofsyphilisand AIDS，speak lung trouble instead of tuberculosis，speak the old mansfriendinstead of pneumonia. As we know,pneumonia and tuberculosiswere not cured in the past, and people frightened those likeafraid of cancer today, so those diseases were taboo at that time. ThoughMedicine and Pharmacology has developed dramatically nowadays, we are not afraid of those like before but we still continue to speakEnglish euphemisms. If someone is mad, we say someone isa little confused. If someone isdeaf，we say someone ishard of hearing. If someone isblind, we say someone isvisually retarded. If someone isfat，we say someone is weight-watcher. If someone is crippled，we say someone is physically handicapped.3.2.5 English Euphemisms for “Occupation”We usually think that brain labor is the noble job but the physical strength labor is the lowly job the reason is that there is a great different between the white collar and blue collar as for rewards. There are also the same situations in the western countries. In order to avoid the lowly job bringing people uncomfortable and eliminate their psychologys occupational discrimination, people try their best to make this lowly occupation tactful by using exaggeration to raise their levels. Such as road-sweeper or dustman. When we mention “sweep” or “dust”，it occurs to us that a personwhose hands hold abroom and head wears a straw hat is cleaning the street. In order to avoid this image, people in Britain and America call him or hercleaning operative, the same with thetitlein Chinese. We address thegarbage manas sanitation engineer. We address the butcher as meat technologist. We address theprostitute as streetgirl, business girl or call girl. And we also address the prostitution as the old profession.3.2.6 English Euphemisms for “Politics”In the political speech, English Euphemisms are often used to lower the seriousness of the events to conceal. In the western countries, people call economic crisis recession or depression. People call strike industrial action or industrialdispute. People call the country of backward economy developing country. People translate bombing into giving massive air support. In the Second World War, Fascist had adopted these euphemisms as follows: strategic camp or final solution. In recent years, in order to give the military actions some humanitarianism, surgical strike is a new statement to say war. From the views of politicians, they explain the political events. So the euphemisms play a significant role the reason is that it becomes the media of expressing the political views and produce a kind of social real meanings.4. The Social Functions of English EuphemismsEuphemisms in English and Chineserefer to allaspects of our daily life. From different angles, euphemisms reflect the standard of behavior, social usage, thinking model, feeling of beauty, values, and ethics of people. It plays an important role in communication for three aspects as follows:4.1 The Function of Avoiding TabooThere is linguistic taboo in every culture and every society. Thelinguistic taboois the same with the word that is improperly used in certain occasions because it is close relation with the English euphemism. People all think that avoiding taboo is the standard of judging the communicative targets civilized accomplishment and reflecting the improvement of the society. That is the reason why it has been widely used. Only because of the different cultural views and life customs, the taboos which we avoid are different.English euphemisms can replace taboos. When it comes to body, body position, and physiology phenomenon and so on, we often adopt euphemisms. People say stomach or tummy instead of belly. When talking about washroom, people speak :wash ones hands, powder ones face, answer natures call，relieve oneself, go to the bathroom (wash-room),go to see ones aunt and so on. Dead is the subject that people most frighten. Living, agedness, disease and dead of a person is irresistiblenatural pattern. However, people in the east and west all avoid those because “dead” means unfortunate and disaster. Peoplesometimes avoid itto memorize the dead, to praise the dead or only to avoid it. Therefore, it appears a large number of euphemisms which reach far more 100 statements in total in English and Chinese. In some occasions, when talking about the word“dead”, people will make use of some euphemisms as follows: they speak the loved one rather than the dead; they speak the memorial park or remembrance park rather than the cemetery. If we want toexpress the word “die”, we will say as follows: pass away，sleep, go to heaven，depart this life，to expire，to be no more，to lay down oneslife, to go to sleep，to end ones day，to breathe ones last，to join the majority，tobe gone to a better place. In addition, we address the fighter who died in the army as firing one