芻議英語委婉語的起源及其社會交際功能英語-資料下載頁

【導(dǎo)讀】核準(zhǔn)通過，歸檔資料。未經(jīng)允許，請勿外傳！委婉語是世界文化中普遍存在的語言現(xiàn)象，它廣泛應(yīng)用于社會各階層和領(lǐng)域。本文試圖從宗教、種族、政治、文學(xué)、歷史等方面入手來探討英語委婉語的。語言反映生活，并且總是和社會緊密聯(lián)系在一起，在語言交談中，由于一定的行

　　

【正文】 社會交際功能，進(jìn)一步理解英語語言文化，以避免社會交際中的各種沖突。 【關(guān)鍵詞】起源 。 交際功能 。 避諱 。 禮貌 。 掩飾 Euphemism is a cultural phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept. Every language has its own euphemism, so does English. It is deeply rooted in social life and has a great influence on social munication. As an indispensable and natural part of English language, English euphemism has attracted people?s attention for a long time. Since Euphemism was coined, it has played a very important role in people?s munication. The munication without euphemism is unimaginable. Euphemism is used like lubrication, which makes the munication go on smoothly. This thesis will have an overview of the origin of English euphemism, and state its social municative function. English euphemism as a linguistic concept, it has close relationships with the western culture, and it truly reflects the life and values of English people and their history. Euphemism is a particularly good medium for access to the force of language that has provided an effective approach to understanding the human mind. The study of English euphemism can help us understand the western culture and promote the international development because euphemism is widely used in international negotiations. So there is a great need for us to study English euphemism, including: its origin, its social function, etc. 2. The definitions of English euphemism Euphemism is a universal linguistic phenomenon. Nearly in every language, there are some disgusting words, which make people feel embarrassed. In the process of munication, the unsuitable or too direct words will make people feel unfortable, even angry. Then there is a great need for us to use a tactful way to express emotion, exchange ideas. That is to say, to use a pleasant, mild or indirect words or phrases take the place of tabooed words. It is known that euphemism is a form of language intentionally created in social relation to achieve ideal munication. Without them any language would seem to be vulgar and rude, void of politeness and vividness to some extent. As a mon munication in the process of people using language, euphemism is an important way for people to coordinate the social relationships. Like a kind of lubrication, euphemism enables people to express what cannot be uttered directly and ensures munication to be carried smoothly. It is a language strategy in civilized society for avoiding taboo. It is unimaginable if the munication is without euphemism. The word “euphemism” was derived from the Greek word “euphemismos”, which means “fair speech”. The prefix “eu” means “good, sound well” and “pheme” means “saying” or “speech”. And thus the literal meaning of “euphemism” is “to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner”. That is to say, euphemism is used as an alternative to unpleasant expression, in order to avoid possible lose of face, either one?s own face or through going offense, that of the audience, or some of third of party. This unpleasant expression may be tabooed, fearsome, or for some other reasons that speakers can?t or intend not to use some certain expression directly on some occasion. “In Webster?s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language is ?the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought substituted?. Rawson Blunt, a British writer, defined euphemism as ?a good favorable interpretation of a bad word.?”[1] “Encyclopedia Britannica(1994) also defines euphemism as ?a figure of speech in which something of an unpleasant, distressing or indelicate nature is described in less offensive terms?”[2] From the above mentioned, we could clearly see that euphemism is characterized by avoidance language and evasive expression. The speakers use words or expressions as a protective shield against the anger or disapproval of natural or supernatural things. It is one form of language and a linguistic phenomenon origins of English euphemism The religious origin of English euphemism The earliest English euphemisms e from “taboo”. The word “taboo” es from Togan, a kind of Polynesian. It indicates evasive language or action.[3] The emergence of English euphemism is to meet the need of avoiding taboos. In primitive society, people can?t explain such things as ailment and some supernatural phenomena. “People have confusion between the name of the things and things themselves. The name is viewed as an extension of things. Just as the idiom says ?Speak of devil and he appears?. Naturally the words or phrases related to such things bee taboos.”[4] In the ancient times, people had blind faith in ghosts and Gods they respected. They whispered and even feared them so they did not dare to address their names directly. They think it profane to name God. Therefore the names of gods bee the earliest taboos. To speak name of gods was to evoke the divinity whose power then had to be confronted. Such dangerous practices were reserved for priests skilled in negotiating with the supernatural. So the usual way to avoid is to employ euphemisms. Therefore, for the religious need, a lot of euphemisms about religion emerged. For example, in order not to desecrate God, people in Englishspeaking country always use some other name for God instead of calling directly, such as “Adonai, the Almighty, Caesar?s Cruth, the Creater, Dod, Gad, Land, Lawks, Lawd.”[5] The opposite side of god is devil, which is more terrible for people. When people refer to them, they tend to use such euphemisms to replace: D, the Big D, the Evil one, the Black one, the Goodman, Jesse, Old boy, Our father, Lord of lords, King of kings, the Light of the world, etc.[6] From the above mentioned, we can find that religion brings many euphemistic terms in the religious matter, especially the naming and addressing of God to the language. The racial and national origins of English euphemism It is known to all, the phenomenon of racial discrimination is deeply rooted in America in which “equal opportunity” is flattered by American white people as an equal right enjoyed by everyone. Due to the pressure of social public opinion,