Features of Euphemism and Its Social Influences 委婉语的特征及其社会影响.doc

苏州大学本科生毕业论文苏州大学应用技术学院2010级学士学位论文Features of Euphemism and Its Social Influences 委婉语的特征及其社会影响 专 业：英 语 学 号：1016411053 姓 名：朱璇 导 师：曹俊雯2013.12AcknowledgementsMany people have made invaluable contributions, both directly and indirectly to my research. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis. I gratefully acknowledge the help of my supervisor Cao Junwen. I do appreciate her professional instructions, encouragement, patience and comments during this thesis writing. Without her pushing me ahead, the completion of my thesis would be impossible. High tribute shall be paid to Bu Ping, whose profound knowledge of English trigger my love for this beautiful language and whose earnest attitude tells me how to learn English. At the same time, I am also grateful to Gao Mingqiang and Sun Shaohua for providing me with valuable advice and access to the related resources on my thesis. Last my thanks would go to my beloved family for their loving considerations and great confidence in me all through these years. I also owe my sincere gratitude to my friends and my fellow classmates who help me work out my problems during the hard course of the thesis. My heart swells with gratitude to all the people who helped me. IAbstractHow to maintain social relationship? Language communication is an important way. Language is the carrier of culture, a mirror of national culture. People often use the indirect or pleasant expressions in the place of those considered unpleasant, rude or offensive words in communication. Euphemism is a pleasant replacement for an objectionable word that has scornful connotations. It is not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a kind of social phenomenon and cultural phenomenon.We all need to communicate in our daily life and people will use different words to convey their ideals and thoughts because of different life habit and cultural background. So, embarrassment and unhappiness exist anywhere and we must learn how to use euphemism in order to avoid these matters.Through careful study of Chinese and foreign literatures, this paper summarizes the research findings of euphemism by Chinese and foreign scholars and the Chinese and foreign research situation in recent years. From the perspective of the background of euphemism and through examples, the paper discusses six features of euphemism and its social influences. This study can further our study of euphemism, help us gain a better grasp in learning and cross-cultural communication and reduce communication barriers.Only in this way can we achieve the effective communication and do well in intercultural communication between Chinese and Western cultures.Key words: euphemism; features；language communication; intercultural communication; social influence摘 要如何维系社会关系?语言是文化的载体也是国家文化的一面镜子。委婉语是语言组成的一部分，因此在社会道德、民俗、政治和社会心理等文化现象中起到非常重要的作用。而语言交流是一种非常重要的交往方式。人们常用某种直接或者间接的表达方式替换那些被认为是会使人不愉快，粗鲁的或有冒犯性的交流。委婉语可以很好替代那些令人讨厌具有贬义意义的词。它不仅是一种语言学现象，也是一种社会文化现象。委婉语的正确理解与使用在各种不同的文化交流中发挥着不可小觑的作用，在人际交往中有着不可磨灭的地位，在日常生活中沟通必不可少。因为日常生活习惯的差异和文化背景的不同，人们用不同的词表达自己的观点和想法。因此，尴尬和不愉快就到处存在,我们必须掌握委婉语来解决这些问题。由于委婉语自身的不同特征及其构成的复杂多变性，这些都增加了我们了解委婉语的难度。通过对中外文献的仔细研究，本文总结了近几十年以来国内外学者的研究背景及其成果。从委婉语历史的角度通过一系列举例，论文讨论了委婉语的六大主要特征和它的主要社会影响。这篇文章不仅能加深我们对委婉语的研究，帮助我们更好地在委婉语的学习和跨文化交流中掌握委婉语，还能减少交流中的误解。只有我们用这种方法，我们才能获得有效的交流，减少不必要的错误，在跨文化交际中更好地了解和理解委婉语，从而更好地传播中英文化，促进中西方文化的交流。关键词：委婉语; 文化；跨文化交流; 语言交流；社会影响ContentsAcknowledgementsIAbstractII摘要IIIChapter 1 Introduction21.1 Significance and Purpose of the Study21.2 Structure of the Thesis3Chapter 2 Literature Review32.1 Related Research in Western Countries42.2 Related Research in China4Chapter 3 Euphemism and its Features53.1 Definitions of Euphemism63.2 Features of Euphemism63.2.1 National Feature73.2.2 Feature of Time73.2.3 Regional Feature and Indirect Feature83.2.4 Universality83.2.5 Fuzziness9Chapter 4 The Social Influences of Euphemism94.1 Avoidance104.1.1 The Euphemisms for God and Devil114.1.2 The Euphemisms for Death114.1.3 The Euphemisms for Life114.2 Courtesy124.2.1 The Euphemisms for the Office and Trade124.2.2 The Euphemisms for Poverty and Unemployment124.2.3 The Euphemisms for Excretion13. 4.3 Disguise134.3.1 The Euphemisms for the Requirements of Politics and War134.3.2 The Euphemisms for Crime14Chapter 5 Conclusion14References16文献综述报告17Chapter 1 Introduction1.1 Significance and Purpose of the StudyIn every society there are many things or taboos that can not be spoken or mentioned directly, thus, people use some substitutions to express. They are called euphemism. The word euphemism comes from ancient Greek. It is composed of three morphemes among which eu- means being good or well, pheme- means to speak, while -ism refers to an act or the result of an act. Thus, euphemism means speaking well of. The appearance of euphemism is based on two reasons: one aims to take the place of taboo. When giving up a taboo word, people will find another new one to take the place of it, which creates a euphemism. The other aims to avoid offensiveness during the communication. It is a figure of rhetoric by which an unpleasant or offensive thing is described or referred to by a milder term. Euphemism is deeply inserted in language. As is known to all, euphemism is widely used in practical communication, which is closely related to every one of the society and what they are engaged in. Specifically speaking, what people are engaged in includes politics, commerce, advertisement, military affairs, education and physiological phenomenon, and so on. Along with unceasingly enhancement of social civilization, speech skill and good interpersonal relationship also more and more profoundly affect peoples life. However, due to the cultural differences to some extent between English and Chinese, we cant express our meaning exactly and simultaneously keep the same form in English as that in Chinese. So the first step to learn euphemism is its characteristics. According to the analysis above, we can make such a conclusion for the significances and purposes of the research. First, to grasp the English euphemism , it can not only help us open our eyes, but strengthen our ability of reading comprehension. Secondly, in the modern times, no country can develop its economy merely by its own effort. China is no exception. With Chinas access to the WTO, communication is the prerequisite for the import and export trade and euphemism is one of the ways of communication. So, in order to improve Chinese economic position, euphemism is important in economic development. Thirdly, When China is playing an vital role in politics, Chinese leaders tend to use more and more euphemisms, euphemism learning will promote the political cooperation. Last but the most important, to promote cultural communication, euphemism can promote relationship between China and other countries.1.2 Structure of the ThesisThis paper is divided into six parts. The first part is a brief introduction to the importance and purpose of studying the euphemism. The second part is the literature review which discusses the previous research achievements on euphemism and its influence. The third part gives an outline of the background of the euphemism, including its origins and some definitions which scholars in all sorts of times and fields gave. Then, from the based learning of euphemism, the chapter four focuses on the six main features of euphemism. The paper gives some examples to strengthen the characteristics of euphemism. The chapter five elaborates the three main aspects affecting the social life and English learning. The chapter six is the final conclusion of the paper. Based on the previous discussion, the author of this paper proves out the purpose and necessities of euphemism. At the same time, the author hopes that the present paper could be enriched in future study and more scholars can take part in the studies on the features and its social influence of English euphemism.15Chapter 2 Literature ReviewEuphemism is a common phenomenon in the process of human language using. Different sectors of society and different language communities have some specific language approach to express the euphemism. Much research has been done on euphemism because of its prominence in language and culture. A lot of great works came into being during the study of euphemism. In the past decades, research about euphemism has made improvement at home and abroad. 2.1 Related Research in Western CountriesHuge Rawson reviewed on the use of euphemism about learning difficulties, pointing out the factors to accelerate the finding of learning disabilities and the motives to remove the social disabilities. ( Rawson, 1981: 84) William and Turgeon wrote a list of the euphemism used by the Presidents and top officials, including President Bill Clinton, Vice President George Bush, President Reagan and the senate spokesmen Gingrich. And they said thatIn the future communication attention needs to be paid to passive voice, such as, mistakes were made; then attention should be paid to the patriotism showed by the politicians, especially their way of speaking. ( William & Turgeon, 1989:7) Ralph Slovenko made a study of the usage and purpose of euphemism as well as euphemism for AIDS, details for prostitution in the age of Victoria and in the end summarize different aspects of euphemism used to lessen the bad influence. ( Slovenko, 2005: 533-548)In 1985, Enrigh, D. J. published a collection of essays on euphemism, The Uses of Euphemism, in which some specific topics like euphemisms and the media, euphemisms and children, and sex and euphemism, etc. were put forward in relation to the different euphemistic uses in the social field. ( Enrigh, 1985:89)2.2 Related Researches in China Chen Kefang claims that euphemism is the reflection of a certain culture and cultural connotation should be considered in the understanding of euphemism. From the aspect of culture, she studies the relation of euphemism and culture, euphemism and taboos. She points out that euphemism is a cultural phenomenon that permeates the social life and verbal communication. ( Chen, 2003: 109-111) Due to the difference of the English and Chinese language characteristics and cultural values, both Chinese and English euphemisms get their own features. In order to eliminate the obstacles in cross-cultural communication and strengthen the communication between Chinese and English people. Liu Qihong and He Hong claim that the use of both Chinese and English euphemism are to achieve better effect. They point out that both Chinese and English euphemism are closely related with the countrys religion. ( Liu & He, 2005: 101- 102)Chen Liang says that the euphemism in English is a common language phenomenon and also a cultural phenomenon. The study of euphemism will help people in speech communication to better understand and use the euphemism. His articles covers four aspects spelling, namely lexical, grammatical and rhetorical means to analyze the constructing principle of English. ( Chen, 2009: 23-25)The correct understanding and use of language play an important role in different kinds of cultural exchanges and holds an irreplaceable position in interpersonal relationship. To accurately understand English euphemism, it is important to understand the features. Therefore, this paper mainly studies English euphemism from its features in order to help English learners to improve their ability to master euphemism. At same time, it is helpful for them to be able to better use euphemism in cross-cultural communication and promote the cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.Chapter 3 Euphemism and its Features3.1 Definitions of EuphemismEuphemism has a long history. And in The Canterbury Tales written by Chaucer and plays of Shakespeare, varities of euphemism words were applied. When offering sacrifice to Gods or ancestors in old Greek, people should speak some propitious words, which were considered to be euphemisms. In Britain, the usage of euphemism could date back to 11th century. In that time, Genteel Vocabulary and Obscene Vocabulary were distinguished obviously. The former is just the precursor of euphemism. In the early 1580s English writer George Blunt first used word euphemism. It originates in Greek. People applied it in order to avoid mentioning things considered to be taboo and specific unpleasantnesses, such as accidents, illness, death, sex, excretion, the phenomenon of physiology and natural conduct and so on. Now, euphemism, as a language phenomenon, is applied very frequently and widely. American scholar Hugh Rawson once said, The euphemism submerges our language so deeply that none of us can get down to one day without using it, even the same for those brags themselves the straight forward person. Hence, giving it an accurate definition is quite necessary:First, George Blunt defined it as: a good interpretation of a bad word.Second, in the Radom House College Dictionary it means: the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.Third, its meaning is: used as an alternative to a unpleasant expression, in order to avoid possible loss of face through giving offense, that of the audience or of some third party. ( Allen & Burridge, 1991: 18) Fourth, euphemism is generally defined as substituting an inoffensive or pleasant term for a more explicit, offensive one, thereby veneering the truth by using kind words. ( Enrigh, 1985: 1)These definitions above, tell us different meanings, however several similar features are listed as follows,1. Euphemism is a substitution of unpleasant or taboo words.2. Euphemism should be considered to be a kind of rhetoric skill.3. Euphemism in the language should be function of softening, alleviating, concealing or showing politeness.3.2 Features of Euphemism3.2.1 National FeatureEuphemism is a common language phenomenon. However, different countries and different nations in different surroundings and social environment have different social productions and living manners, and their cultural depositions are also different. So euphemism in different language has some differences either. The differences show the national characteristics of euphemism.A part of euphemism words is general in most of national languages, but another part has the strong national characteristics. If the Chinese places lao behind the surname, such as Li lao , zhang lao, not only demonstrated the age is large, but contains deeper respect. But the situation is exactly opposite in British and American countries. Old is the topic of taboo because British and American emphasize competition and independence. If a person were old, he would lose his status in competition. In Western culture, asking age, income, marital status, religious belief and political tendencies are considered to be infringement of privacy and discourteous behavior. Therefore, people often use senior citizen, elderly people or seasoned men to refer to the old and these phrases all contain the meaning for respecting. 3.2.2 Feature of Time Language emerged in the process of communication, and it was developed, enriched and evolved continuously. In this process, in order to adjust to the specific environment, people should create different euphemism words on certain things, conduct and phenomenon and so on. And people choose different words to communicate in different places. When doctor inquire about someones illnesses, he could say directly How is your micturition. It is not considered to be coarse. Early in mid-century, even neck, chin are in the category of taboos, but nowadays such words like leg and sexy would never be vulgar. Language changes frequently all the time, new words appears continuously while the old disappears. So is euphemism word. Such as different expressions of to be pregnant appeared in different time of English development. It illustrates clearly about the contemporaneity of euphemism.For example, She is pregnant has many different euphemistic expressions in different eras. 1) She has canceled all her social engagements. (1856) 2) She is in an interesting condition. (1880) 3) She is in a delicate condition. (1895) 4) She is knitting little bootees. (1910) 5) She is in a family way. (1920) 6) She is expecting. (1935) 7) She is pregnant. (1956) (Li, 2001: 245-246)But after 1960s, euphemism of pregnant develop slowly because in modern times, people are not so implicit. They always mention thing directly. And now, the phenomenon of pregnant is a cheerful thing. People will not be shy when mentioning it. The change of language depends on the needs and changes of the society. It bears a marked brand of times.3.2.3 Regional Feature and Indirect FeatureIn euphemism, there are some regional difference. An Australian woman married to an American man. They spent their honeymoon in American. And one day, the couple intended to go to a party together. But the bridegroom couldnt find a suitable full dress. The bride took out a birthday suit that she gave him as a present few days ago and said, Why not wear your birthday suit? However, the whole family all astonished because in American English, in ones birthday suit is the euphemistic expression of naked. So this embarrassing situation resulted from the regional difference in euphemism. Then, the most important feature of euphemism is indirect and implicit. Euphemis