A Study on English Euphemism
A Study on English Euphemism
Euphemism is defined in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English(1978)as¡°(an example of)the use of a pleasanter£¬less direct name for something thought to be unpleasant.¡± The New Edition of the Oxford Concise Dictionary (1976) defines euphemism as ¡°Substitution of mild or vague or roundabout expression for harsh or direct one; expression that substituted.¡±
Euphemism is to use a polite or vague word or phrase used to replace another word or phrase that is thought of as too direct or rude. The word euphemism comes from the Greek eu, good, and pheme, speech or saying, and thus means literally to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner.
1. Characteristics of Euphemism
Euphemism£¬as a language phenomenon£¬has some special characteristics. To succeed in learning a language£¬learners of the language should pay much attention to the following features of euphemism.
1 .1 Universality
In almost all cultures there are certain things strongly forbidden by social customs. Generally people try to avoid mentioning the taboos directly. When the taboos (the forbidden things)have to be referred to£¬it is likely that people tend to substitute expressions that sound better. So there are euphemisms in almost every language.
1 .2 Culture specificity The universal existence of euphemism in languages does not mean that euphemisms are identical in different languages. Euphemism has close relevance to culture. Notions and norms upheld by people in different cultures are not necessarily the same. As a result£¬the taboos indifferent cultures are not necessarily the same. What is necessary to be euphemized in one culture may not be necessary to be euphemized in another. For example£¬the questions about age£¬one¡¯s marital status or prices of one¡¯s belongings£¬although inoffensive to Chinese£¬should be avoided when conversing with English-speaking people. Of course£¬different cultures may have certain taboos in common£¬for example£¬the notions of
Euphemism is defined in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English(1978)as¡°(an example of)the use of a pleasanter£¬less direct name for something thought to be unpleasant.¡± The New Edition of the Oxford Concise Dictionary (1976) defines euphemism as ¡°Substitution of mild or vague or roundabout expression for harsh or direct one; expression that substituted.¡±
Euphemism is to use a polite or vague word or phrase used to replace another word or phrase that is thought of as too direct or rude. The word euphemism comes from the Greek eu, good, and pheme, speech or saying, and thus means literally to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner.
1. Characteristics of Euphemism
Euphemism£¬as a language phenomenon£¬has some special characteristics. To succeed in learning a language£¬learners of the language should pay much attention to the following features of euphemism.
1 .1 Universality
In almost all cultures there are certain things strongly forbidden by social customs. Generally people try to avoid mentioning the taboos directly. When the taboos (the forbidden things)have to be referred to£¬it is likely that people tend to substitute expressions that sound better. So there are euphemisms in almost every language.
1 .2 Culture specificity The universal existence of euphemism in languages does not mean that euphemisms are identical in different languages. Euphemism has close relevance to culture. Notions and norms upheld by people in different cultures are not necessarily the same. As a result£¬the taboos indifferent cultures are not necessarily the same. What is necessary to be euphemized in one culture may not be necessary to be euphemized in another. For example£¬the questions about age£¬one¡¯s marital status or prices of one¡¯s belongings£¬although inoffensive to Chinese£¬should be avoided when conversing with English-speaking people. Of course£¬different cultures may have certain taboos in common£¬for example£¬the notions of
Bibliography: 1. Allan.K.£¦ K.Burridge, 1991, Euphemism and Dysphemism: Language Used as Shield and Weapon. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2. R.W. Holder: How not say What You Mean: A Dictionary of Euphemism. Oxford University Press. 2003 3. Chen Xin. 1997. The Various Uses of Euphemism Journal of Fuzhou Teachers College. 12:50-68 4. You Jinnian. 1999. Euphemism in English. Jounal of Liaoning Provincial College of Communication. 6:56-60 5. Enright.D,J,1985, Fair of Speech: the Use of Euphemism. Oxford University Press 6. Yan Meiying. 2001. On Euphemism. Journal of Yanbei Normal University. Vol.17 No.4 Aug.2001, 59-61