摘要：委婉语是存在于不同时代中的独特的语言现象。这种迂回的、无冒犯的表达方式,能够帮助人们实现交际的最终目的。并且随着社会的不断发展,委婉语的使用也愈加规范。纵观国内外学者对委婉语的研究,大多着眼于委婉语本身,或从语用学、修辞学、语义学等角度展开讨论。而关注委婉语文化层面的对比研究则相对较少。前人的研究成果表明,无论是英语委婉语还是汉语委婉语,都带有其鲜明的民族烙印。对于一些禁忌话题,英汉委婉语有着极大的相似之处。但不同国家所处的地理位置和宗教信仰不同,英汉委婉语也同样具有跨文化的差异。本文着重从“老年”、“疾病及生理缺陷”和“死亡”话题开展对比研究,旨在揭示不同文化背景下的语言内涵,进一步培养英语学习者的跨文化意识。

文章首先介绍了研究的背景、目的、意义和整体结构。接着阐述了委婉语的起源和发展过程,回顾了国内外委婉语的研究成果,以及论文所依托的相关语用学理论。对英汉委婉语的定义、构成方法和语用功能也做了详细的说明。之后围绕“老年”、“疾病及生理缺陷”和“死亡”话题开展具体的跨文化对比研究。最后总结了研究结果,提出了论文存在的不足之处以及作者通过该研究得到的对于跨文化交流和英语教学的简短启示。

关键词：委婉语 跨文化 对比研究

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1 Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Research-1

1.2 Purpose and Significance of the Research-2

1.3 Overall Structure of the Thesis-3

2 Literature Review-4

2.1 The Origin and Development of Euphemism-4

2.2 Reviews of Studies of Euphemism-5

2.2.1 Researches Abroad-5

2.2.2 Researches in China-6

2.3 Pragmatics Theories of Euphemism-7

3 The Overview of English and Chinese Euphemisms-9

3.1 The Definitions of English and Chinese Euphemisms-9

3.1.1 The Definition of English Euphemism-9

3.1.2 The Definition of Chinese Euphemism-9

3.2 The Formative Approaches of English and Chinese Euphemisms-10

3.2.1 The Formative Approaches of English Euphemism-10

3.2.1.1 Vague Words and Expressions-10

3.2.1.2 Substitution-10

3.2.1.3 Metaphor-11

3.2.1.4 Analogy-11

3.2.2 The Formative Approaches of Chinese Euphemism-11

3.2.2.1 Tactful Implication-11

3.2.2.2 Vague and Broad Concepts-12

3.2.2.3 Metonymy-12

3.2.2.4 Loan Words-13

3.3 The Pragmatic Functions of English and Chinese Euphemisms-13

3.3.1 Avoidance of Taboos-13

3.3.2 Politeness-13

3.3.3 Prettification-14

3.3.4 Disguising-14

4 A Contrastive Study of English and Chinese Euphemisms-15

4.1 Language, Culture and Euphemism-15

4.2 Euphemism and the Religious Faith-15

4.2.1 English Euphemism and Christianity-15

4.2.2 Chinese Euphemism in the Religious Faith-16

4.3 Some Cultural Values Reflected in English and Chinese Euphemisms-17

4.3.1 For “Death”-17

4.3.1.1 English Euphemism for “Death”-17

4.3.1.2 Chinese Euphemism for “Death”-18

4.3.2 For “Old Age”-19

4.3.2.1 English Euphemism for “Old Age”-19

4.3.2.2 Chinese Euphemism for “Old Age”-20

4.3.3 For “Disease and Disabilities”-21

4.3.3.1 English Euphemism for “Disease and Disabilities”-21

4.3.3.2 Chinese Euphemism for “Disease and Disabilities”-22

5 Conclusion-23

5.1 Major Findings-23

5.2 Enlightenment for English Teaching and Cross-cultural Communication-24

5.3 Limitations-25

Bibliography-27

Acknowledgements-28