Abstract

This thesis discusses English euphemism from cultural and pragmatic perspective. First, it analyses many English euphemism in daily communication on the base of three pragmatic principles: the cooperative principle, the polite principle and the face theory. Then, English euphemism is a kind of cultural phenomenon with its origin and use. And on the other hand, it reflects religious beliefs and social values. Pragmatic failure may be produced due to lack of understanding of English culture in ever-increasing international communication. Last, in contrast, it is helpful to mitigate pragmatic failure and achieve better communication through looking into English euphemism. 

Key words: English euphemisms, culture, pragmatics, pragmatic failure

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1.Introduction-1

2. An Overview of English Euphemism-2

2.1 Definition of English euphemism-2

2.2 Classification of English euphemism-2

2.3 Devices for formation of English euphemism-3

2.3.1 Phonemic formation devices-3

2.3.2 Semantic devices-3

2.3.3 Vocabulary devices-4

2.3.4 Rhetorical devices-4

2.4 Functions of English euphemism-4

3. The Analysis of English Euphemism from Cultural Perspective-5

3.1 Language and culture-5

3.2 English Euphemism and culture-6

3.2.1 English euphemism in death-6

3.2.2 English euphemism in age-7

3.2.3 English euphemism in sex-7

4. The Discussion of English Euphemism from Pragmatic Perspective-8

4.1 Context and English euphemism-8

4.2 Pragmatic principles of using English euphemism-8

4.2.1 The cooperative principle-8

4.2.2 The polite principle-10

4.2.3 The face theory-10

4.3 Euphemism and pragmatic failure in intercultural communication-11

5. Conclusion-12

Works cited-13