Abstract English Euphemism is a relatively implicit, indirect and polite linguistic strategy which is utilized to improve various interpersonal relationship. The use of euphemism is actually following the politeness principle. Therefore, this thesis aims to explain how the uses of Euphemism obey or violate the Politeness Principle from the perspective of Leech’s Politeness Principle. This paper selects representative examples from a popular American TV section Modern Family to make a detailed analysis on the success and failure in the realization of communicative functions of English Euphemism. Thus people will know how to use euphemism effectively and correctly in different communicative situations. 70447

Keywords: English Euphemism; Politeness Principle; Communicative Functions; Modern Family

摘要 英语委婉语是人们为调节各种人际关系而采用的一种较为隐晦、婉转、礼貌的语言策略，它的使用遵循了礼貌原则。因此，本研究旨在从利奇的礼貌原则出发，阐述委婉语的使用是如何遵从或违背礼貌原则的。作者以美剧《摩登家庭》为例，选取有代表性的例子具体分析委婉语的交际功能实现的成败现象，以此让人们懂得如何在不同的交际情境下有效且正确地使用委婉语。

毕业论文关键词：英语委婉语；礼貌原则；交际功能；《摩登家庭》

Contents

1. Introduction 1

1.1 Introduction to Modern Family 1

1.2 Introduction to euphemism 2

2. Literature Review 4

2.1 Previous studies on euphemism 4

2.2 The politeness principle concerning the application of euphemism 5

3. Analysis of Communicative Functions of English Euphemism in Modern Family Based on the Politeness Principle 7

3.1 Cases successful in achieving the communicative functions 7

3.2 Cases failing in achieving the communicative functions 10

4. Conclusion 13

Works Cited 15

1. Introduction 

English euphemism is considered as the indispensable means of communication, which is utilized to improve interpersonal relationship. In daily interaction, its communicative functions play an important role in interpersonal communication. Therefore, this thesis aims to give the readers a deeper and better understanding of English euphemism. In this chapter, the introduction to Modern Family, the definitions, classifications and communicative functions of euphemism will be illustrated.文献综述

1.1 Introduction to Modern Family

All the data and transcriptions of this thesis were collected from the famous American sitcom Modern Family. In 2009, it was first broadcast in the United States and received a large audience favorite.

This mockumentary explores many different types of a modern family through the stories of a gay couple, comprised of Mitchell and Cameron, and their daughter Lily, a straight couple, comprised of Phil and Claire, and their three kids, Haley, Alex, and Luke, and a multicultural couple, which is comprised of Jay and Gloria, and their son Manny. And they all closely linked to each other in life. Claire is a full-time housewife and has been married for 16 years with his husband Phil, who is a real estate intermediary. Although Claire is the housewife of a traditional American household, she is the chief spokesman of her family due to her strong personality. As for Phil, he is a fine husband and an enlightened father. They have three children─Haley, Alex and Luke. Haley is the oldest girl and very beautiful, but she hates studying. Alex is a good student in school and does well in study. Luke is the youngest of the family who is a bit funny and cute. Claire’s father Jay, who is over sixty, married a beautiful young woman Gloria from Colombia. They are a remarried family of three with Gloria’s son Manny, who is only 11 years old but looks quite mature. The rich businessman Jay, as the elder of the three families, is a stubborn, tough man. Claire’s brother Mitchell, a lawyer, has been together for 5 years with his gay partner, Cameron. They adopt a baby girl Lily from Vietnam. There are many kinds of happiness and joy they share with each other, but sometimes they also face and handle conflicts with their own families and each other.