ABSTRACT

Euphemism, as a linguistic form as well as a cultural phenomenon, it truly reflects the life and value of English people and has close relationship with western culture. For a long time, many scholars and experts have worked on the study of the English Euphemism from different angles. I will demonstrate the pragmatic functions and the cultural factors of English euphemism on the basis of predecessors.

First, this paper gives a brief introduction to English euphemism, including the origin, definition, and classification. Second, it focuses on the pragmatic functions to beautify, to avoid offending and to show politeness. Third, it focuses on the cultural reflection in nation, religion, and values in British and American countries which are reflected by the pragmatic functions of English euphemisms. Fourth, it explains the causes of pragmatic failures which hinder the pragmatic functions of English euphemism, and makes corresponding strategies to pragmatic failures. At last, it makes a summary of the whole thesis by illustrating the significance of the study of pragmatic functions of English euphemism. The radical purpose is to give better play to the pragmatic functions of English euphemism, that is to say, to guide us better understand the social, and psychological culture of Britain and America.

Key words: English euphemism; pragmatic function; cultural reflection; pragmatic failure

CONTENTS

摘要

ABSTRACT

1.Introduction-1

1.1 The origin of English euphemism-1

1.2 The definition of English euphemism-1

1.3 The classification of English euphemism-2

   1.3.1 Traditional euphemism and Stylistic euphemism-2

   1.3.2 Conscious euphemism and Unconscious euphemism-2

2.The pragmatic function of English euphemism-2

2.1 The pragmatic function of English euphemism to beautify-3

   2.1.1 Euphemism for economy-3

   2.1.2 Euphemism for politics-3

   2.1.3 Euphemism for military-4

   2.1.4 Euphemism for occupation-4

2.2 The pragmatic function of English euphemism to avoid offending-5

   2.2.1 Euphemism for old age-5

   2.2.2 Euphemism for death-5

   2.2.3 Euphemism for physiological phenomenon-6

2.3 The pragmatic function of English euphemism to show politeness-7

   2.3.1 Euphemism for schooling-7

   2.3.2 Euphemism for figure and appearance-7

3.The cultural reflection of English euphemism-8

3.1 The cultural reflection in nation-8

3.2 The cultural reflection in religion-9

3.3 The cultural reflection in value-9

4.Causes of pragmatic failures of English euphemism and corresponding strategies-10

4.1Causes of pragmatic failures of English euphemism-10

   4.1.1 The lack of linguistic knowledge-10

   4.1.2 The lack of cultural knowledge-11

   4.1.3 The lack of contextual awareness-11

4.2 Strategies of using English euphemism effectively-12

   4.2.1 Strengthening the understanding of taboo words-12

   4.2.2 Increasing the awareness of culture through books and the internet-13

   4.2.3 Making good use of context-13

5.Conclusion-14

References-14

Acknowledgments-16