Abstract As a general language phenomenon, euphemism plays an important role in communication。 People often use euphemism to change sensitive expression into euphemistic expression。 However, because of cultural differences, pragmatic failure was also brought by euphemism’s use in social intercourse, therefore, it is essential to use euphemism properly。72333

    In cross-cultural communication, the use of euphemism does not always achieve the desired results。 People using euphemism are often restricted by their own language and culture, such as differences that existed in the structure of the euphemism, consciousness, measure of value, the cross-cultural understanding obstacles, and improper use of euphemism。 Chinese and English are two different language systems, in which there is a big difference in terms of the use of euphemism。 

    Although there are a few studies on English euphemism, there is little research on pragmatic failure of euphemism。 When we study the formation or grammar of language without knowing cultural background, it is then difficult to understand the real meaning in communication。 This paper aims to analyze causes of pragmatic failures between Chinese euphemism and English euphemism, with some examples of pragmatic failures, and put forward strategies to avoid these failures。

Key words: euphemism     pragmatic Failure     cross-cultural

摘要作为一种普遍的语言现象，委婉语在交际中起着重要的作用。当人们谈论到尴尬或者忌讳的话题时，就需要运用委婉语来转变表达的方式，使之变得圆滑。然而由于文化的差异，往往在交际中委婉语的使用适得其反，造成尴尬的语用失误，因此要正确的运用委婉语。

人们在进行跨文化交际时，委婉语的使用并不总能达到人们预期的理想效果，其往往受各自的语言文化的制约，如由于委婉语的构造，意识观念，价值尺度等差异，委婉语的跨文化理解障碍或使用不当往往容易造成误解，进而引起交际的失误。汉语和英语是两种各自独立存在的语言系统，在委婉语的使用方面存在着很大的差异。

    虽然对英语委婉语和语用失误的研究不多，但是对于委婉语的语用失误方面的研究更为缺乏。如果我们只是孤立的研究语言的构成或语法，不了解文化背景，就难以理解交际中的实际用意。本文根据中西文化的不同，对比分析英汉委婉语的语用失误的原因，列举出语用失误的例子，并提出避免失误产生的策略。

毕业论文关键词: 委婉语     语用失误     跨文化

Contents

Abstract i

摘 要 ii

Chapter One Introduction 1

1。1 Need for the Study 1

1。2 The Objective of the Thesis 2

1。3 The Significance of the Thesis 3

1。4 Overall Structure of the Thesis 4

Chapter Two Literature Review 5

2。1 Studies of Euphemism 5

2。2 Studies of Pragmatic Failure Abroad and at Home 5

2。2。1 Studies of Pragmatic Failure Abroad 5

2。2。2 Studies of Pragmatic Failure at Home 6

2。3 Research Gaps 7

Chapter Three Methodology 9

3。1 Research Questions 9

3。2 Data Collection