英语论文网

e concepts or things that cannot be mentioned directly because they are to be tabooed, so we use euphemism to substitute taboo words.

2.2 The definition of English euphemism

The English word “euphemism” comes from the Greek word “euphemismos”, the prefix “eu-” means “good/well”, and “pheme” means “speech/speaking”. So the literal meaning of “euphemism” is “to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner” (Howard, 1984:100). The first appearance of the term “euphmism” in the English language occurred in the early 1580s. Thereafter, various definitions of euphemism in English have turned up to compete and complement each other. There are some influential definitions cited as follows:

A) A polite word or expression that you use instead of a more direct one to avoid shocking or upsetting someone. (Longman Dictionary of cotemporary English, 1995)       

B) (Example of the) use of pleasant, mild or indirect words or phrases in place of more accurate of direct ones. (Oxford Advanced learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary, 1997)

C) A mild or indirect word or phrase that people often use to refer to something unpleasant or embarrassing, sometimes to make it seem more acceptable than it really is. (The New Oxford Dictionary of English, 2008)

As a brunch of language, euphemism and the inherent characteristics of language, is to have vitality. With the development of the society change constantly, the same meaning in different period will have different ways to express with euphemism. For example, “她怀孕了。” This sentence in different age has different euphemism expression:

She has canceled all her social engagement. (1856)

She is in an interesting condition. (1880)
She is in a delicate condition. (1895)
She is knitting little bootees. (1990)
She is in a family way. (1920)

Although different dictionaries define “euphemism” differently from different perspectives or it is in the different ages, most of them are sharing the common points: euphemism is a mild, vague and polite mode of expression used to mean something unpleasant, rude, or offensive, it can make the unpleasant things sound better, and make people feel good; it can also ensure both the speaker and the listener safe without losing face and ensure them comfortable an mutual presence.

2.3 The classification of English euphemism

Euphemism is a kind of appropriate language expression from which people create to seek ideal social communication effect in social association. It changes as the time, the culture, the situation, the theme and individual changes. Therefore, the forms of euphemism are varied, rich and colorful. Euphemism, according to different standard, can be divided into different types.

In general, euphemism is made up of two parts: the traditional euphemisms and stylistic euphemisms.

On the one hand, traditional euphemisms are closely connected with taboos. 

A) Euphemisms for death 

The item “die” is an absolute taboo, people don’t want to say but usually use euphemism instead of death. Such as, “to pass away”(去世),  “to go to heaven”（上天堂了）,  “to go to west”（归西）, “本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。