Abstract As an important language phenomenon, euphemism surely has an influence on cross-cultural communication. Using euphemism can make the language communication go smoothly and successfully. However, different euphemisms derive from different cultures. In the process of communication, especially intercultural communication, two parties need to take a look into the other’s culture and apply the euphemisms appropriately.
This article aims at analyzing the similarities and differences of English and Chinese euphemisms and deepening the understanding of euphemisms in order to better use the euphemism for everyday life more convenience. English euphemism is universal, so to get the communicative functions of euphemism has a great help for us to learn English well and make effective cross-cultural communication. While, the study of Chinese euphemism could contributes much more to our language application. Through this paper, we can cultivate the consciousness of cross-cultural communication and avoid pragmatic errors of euphemisms.
Thesis is composed of five chapters. Chapter One gives a general introduction including the development of studying euphemisms in the east and west to euphemism. Chapter Two first presents a general view of the definition and then put forward three principles of euphemism. They are formation, distance and correlation, politeness and self-defense.
Chapter Three to Four are devoted to contrasting English and Chinese euphemisms. Chapter Three first explains the relationship among language, culture, euphemism and communication are inseparable. And then, from the aspect of pragmatics, three communicative functions are illustrated to contrast English and Chinese euphemisms. Chapter Four, in terms of culture, deals with the relationship between culture and euphemism and four major types of euphemism in English and Chinese are analyzed to manifest similarities and differences of English culture and Chinese culture.
In the conclusion, it is pointed out that to be familiar with the linguistic features of euphemisms in the target culture, to be aware of the differences between target culture and native culture and to interpret and use euphemism according to social contexts are keys to effective employment of euphemism in intercultural communication.
Key Words: euphemism, cross-cultural communication, similarities, differences, pragmatic
摘要
委婉语作为一种重要的语言现象理所当然在跨文化运用中影响颇深。使用委婉语可以使语言交流更加顺利。但是，其实不同的文化会产生不同的委婉语。所以特别在跨文化交际中，双方都应对对方的文化有所了解这样才能更好的运用委婉语。9687
本文对于中西方委婉语使用的相同和不同点做了分析，深入了对委婉语的理解，使更好地在日常生活中准确运用委婉语。英文委婉语是非常普遍的，所以了解英语委婉语的交际功能可以使我们更好地帮助学习英语并且在跨文化交际中正确地使用委婉语。同时，学习中文委婉语可促进我们语言更好地使用。通过本文大量的例子分析，跨文化交际的意识可以提高并且减少委婉语在跨文化中实际使用时的错误。
本文由五个章节组成。章节一对于中西委婉语的研究发展做了整体的介绍。章节二则首先对委婉语作了大致定义，紧接着列出了委婉语的三项原则：构造原则，疏远和关联原则，礼貌和自卫原则。章节三和章节四主要关于英汉委婉语的对比研究。章节三首先阐明了语言、文化、委婉语和沟通的关系，然后从语用的角度作者提出了三种交际功能在英汉委婉语中不同的体现。章节四主要体现文化在委婉语中的体现，分析四种主要的英汉委婉语来体现他们的异同之处。结尾时，文章指出应当对目标文化的委婉语特征了解，并且意识到目标文化和本土文化的区别，在根据社会背景下再翻译和运用委婉语才是在跨文化中最有效的办法。 浅析跨文化交际中委婉语的应用:http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_8489.html