English Euphemism Essay

Euphemism, as a frequent lingual phenomenon in orbit purification, is astray theatrical graphemed in every friendly class and field. position euphemism, as angiotensin converting enzyme of many an opposite(prenominal) euphemisms existing in the world, has its own thickset line of descent, which include both the religious store and the historical, literary origin. This thesis get out try to discuss the origin of slope euphemism from every reflexion of religion, race, politics, literary, and history. terminology reflects bread and thatter, and is al routes c lagly related to the society. During the intercourse, due to both(prenominal) certain barricade of behavior and morality, tidy sum tend to rehearse euphemism- personad as a class of lubrication, making the harsh, indelicate row sound tactful and pleasant. side of meat euphemism cultivates a very import(a) region in mickles br hot(prenominal)ly communicating. This paper im start out withal expou nd the strainly communicative make of position euphemism from the three aspects evasive shape, well-be aimd lam, and augmentative croak.Having a well-grounded understanding of the origin and neighborly power of face euphemism and the side of meat phraseology Culture send word eliminate many conflicts in the a precisely of social communication . Key Words origin communicative employment evasion cosmetic function ingenuity Abstract euphemisms prevalent in the wrangle of the worlds ethnic phenomenon, it is widely use upd in all social strata and fields. Euphemism as a euphemism in one(a) of the many, has its deep roots produced, in which packets of religion and politics, however also literature and history. This paper attempts to religion, race, politics, literature, history, in a bid to search the emergence of side of meat Euphemisms source.Langu eld reflects life, and continuously closely linked with social, conversation in the verbiage, due to a certai n code of conduct and moral philosophy constraints, mountain practically use the euphemism - the lubri potfult, making harsh, non polite euphemism set abouts so pleasurable. It is in throngs social communication played an important role. This function of its forbidden, courtesy functions and capabilities in three knowledge domains to cover up the English language Euphemism illustrates the social communicative functions. Euphemism by fully understanding the origins of English and its social communicative function, and further understand the English language and socialization, in narrate to avoid social communication in the various conflicts. Key wrangling origincommunicative function taboo politeness cover1.IntroductionEuphemism is a ethnic phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept. Every language has its own euphemism, so does English. It is deeply grow in social life and has a great influence on social communication. As an inborn and natural pArt of English language, English euphemism has attracted masss devotion for a long term. Since Euphemism was coined, it has played a very important role in peoples communication. The communication without euphemism is unimaginable. Euphemism is used like lubrication, which makes the communication go on smoothly. This thesis volition arrive an overview of the origin of English euphemism, and submit its social communicative function.English euphemism as a linguistic concept, it has close semblanceships with the western culture, and it truly reflects the life and values of English people and their history. Euphemism is a peculiarly good medium for access to the force of language that has provided an effective approach to understanding the benignant mind. The study of English euphemism can help us understand the western Culture and promote the global Development because euphemism is widely used in international negotiations. So in that respect is a great need for us to study English euphemism, inclu ding its origin, its social function, and so on2. The definitions of English euphemismEuphemism is a universal linguistic phenomenon. Nearly in every language, there atomic number 18 several(prenominal) disgusting words, which make people feel upset. In the process of communication, the unsuitable or too air words will make people feel uncomfortable, even angry. thusly there is a great need for us to use a tactful demeanor to express emotion, exchange ideas. That is to say, to use a pleasant, piano or indirect words or phrases take the place of tabooed words. It is know that euphemism is a word form of language intentionally created in social relation to achieve ideal communication. Without them any language would seem to be flagrant and rude, void of politeness and vividness to whatever extent. As a common communication in the process of people utilize language, euphemism is an important way for people to coordinate the social births.Like a kind of lubrication, euphe mism enables people to express what cannot be uttered instanter and ensures communication to becarried smoothly. It is a language Strategy in civilized society for avoiding taboo. It is unimaginable if the communication 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 state 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 cheek, in rig to avoid possible lose of face, either ones own face or finished going moodyense, that of the audience, or some of third of party.This unpleasant expression whitethorn be tabooed, fearsome, or for some other reasons that speakers cant or intend not to use some certain expression directly on some occasion. In Websters Encyclopedic Unabridged lexicon of the English Language is the substitution of a mild, indirec t, or vague expression for one thought substituted . Rawson Blunt, a British source, 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 some intimacy of an unpleasant, distressing or indelicate nature is described in less offensive hurt2 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 safeguard against the anger or disapproval of natural or supernatural things. It is one form of language and a linguistic phenomenon3.The origins of English euphemism3.1 The religious origin of English euphemismThe earliest English euphemisms come from taboo. The word taboo comes from Togan, a kind of Polynesian. It indicates evasive language or exploit. 3 The emergence of English euphemism is to meet the need of avoiding taboos. In primitive society, people cant expl ain much(prenominal) things as ailment and some supernatural phenomena. pot have confusion in the midst of the hollo of the things and things themselves. The name is viewed as an quotation of things. Just as the idiom says Speak of devil and he appears . of course the words or phrases related to much(prenominal)(prenominal) things become taboos. 4 In the ancient-fashioned snips, people had blind faith in ghosts and Gods they respected. They whispered and even feared them so they did not dare to address theirnames directly. They think it profane to name God.Therefore the names of gods become the earliest taboos. To speak name of gods was to complot 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 use up euphemisms. Therefore, for the religious need, a lot of euphemisms active religion emerged. For example, in order not to desecrate God, peo ple in English-speaking country constantly use some other name for God instead of art directly, such as Adonai, the Al strengthy, Caesars Cruth, the Creater, Dod, Gad, Land, Lawks, Lawd. 5The opposite side of god is devil, which is more than terrible for people. When people refer to them, they tend to use such euphemisms to tack D, the Big D, the Evil one, the Black one, the Goodman, Jesse, Old boy, Our father, Lord of lords, King of kings, the clear up of the world, etc. 6 From the above mentioned, we can find that religion brings many inoffensive equipment casualty in the religious matter, especially the naming and addressing of God to the language. 3.2 The racial and national origins of English euphemismIt 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. callable to the mechanical press of social public opinion, although some whites discriminate the black from their heart, they will not expose this kind of prejudice in public. Meanwhile, few people dare to humiliate and persecute blacks publicly for no reason at all. In other words, the way of discrimination becomes tactful. There are many euphemisms emerging for this reason. In the 1930s, nigger is still a neutral noun in England, and has no meaning of humiliating blacks. except since this word has the obvious meaning of discriminating the blacks, most of people in England and Americans use some other inoffensive words, such as colored black instead.When lectureing slightly some other races, it does not often use the direct words that are related to color. People often use some euphemistic expression, such as the geographic name. 3.3 Historical, literary and Political origins of English euphemism From the time the Normans conquered England in 1066, English has emerged many euphemisms. At that time, the main reason to use euphemism is that the language use d by the conquered is often disparaged, and is thought as unwashed language. The upperclass surely doesn t want to lower their perspective to use such words. In order to avoid using such gross words, they tend to use the elegant words, which originated from Latin. And these words were conglomerate into English gradually. There are also many euphemisms in literary works.For example, in Hamlet, Shakespeare use the expression The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns (there has never been a mystery travelers to come back off the country) to express his great sympathy for Hamlet . 7 The famous American writer Mark Twain use release to express die in his work The Adventure of Tom Sawyer. anyways, politics is a fertile area for the appearance and growth of English euphemism, which is cosmetic in expression but deceptive in nature. Euphemisms of this kind are constantly consciously and deliberately. The cosmetic euphemism can be easily found in American English. g overnments discussion of the Vietnam War was saturated with euphemisms.Villages burned and inhabitants imprisoned were Pacifications the war itself was not a war but a conflict, the bombing becomes logistical strike or close air support, and violent death becomes wasting the enemy. These euphemisms are used to deceive and to hide the dirty business of war . 8 The use of such Political euphemisms helps government to lard the action and prevent people from taking any anti-government action. So in order to satisfy the Political necessitate, many euphemisms come to exist.4.The social communicative function of English euphemismFrom the perspective of language communication, euphemism functions to avoid taboos, to put down politeness and obscure feelings. Thanks to euphemism, it is clean for people to accept the things that are potential to make others feel embarrassed or unhappy. It is peoples general character to express their ideas as mildly and tactfully as possible. Euphemis m helps people to r to each one this goal. From the moment euphemism came into existence, it has played a very important role in our daily communication, and help establish a good relationship between human beings and even strengthen the social stability. Euphemism are motivate by the desire not to be offensive.People use them to show their politeness, to avoid being offensive and to meet the mental and beneficial needs of both speakers and hearers in communication. But sometimes they are used to conceal or cover something. Accordingly, euphemism serves three basic communicative functions evasivefunction, polite function and cosmetic function.4.1 The evasive function of English euphemismThe evasive function of euphemism is to evade using taboos, enabling the speaker to talk about tabooed things give uply. These tabooed things are believed to be dangerous to certain individuals, or to the society as a whole, or to be disgusting and unpleasant, and cause fear. Such tabooed things in clude unhealthiness, disabilities, death, sex, personate excretion and body elimination process, etc. People can use euphemisms to talk about what cannot be talked directly.Reposted elsewhere in the paper for free download4.1.1 In ground of disease and disabilitiesPeople yearn for health, and fear for specific disease and every sort of disability. So people always use tactful way to express them. For example, knowledgeable or genital disease such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, ADIS, etc. Are called social disease, communicative disease, etc. in English. Besides, disabilities are very rude(a) area in every culture. In English, the disabled, the handicapped, the inconvenienced, the invalid, auditory impaired, hard of hearing, talk with ones fingers, etc. are put into service. 9 So euphemism plays a very important function in our social communication. Without it, we sometimes cannot cover up our talk.4.1.2 In terms of deathDeath is an inevitable stage at the end of lifes journey. It is common Experience of human beings. heretofore it has been the source of fear-fear of the loss of loved ones fear of the end of ones life fear of the actual process of dying. Therefore, all these fears, worries, and unpleasant feelings feature lead to verbal taboo of death. Euphemisms concerning death are extremely rich. In English, there are more than seventy euphemisms for death, including to be gone, to be gone to a better world, to be with God, to breath ones last, to close ones day, to depArt from the world forever, to depArt to God, to nightfall asleep, join the great majority, pass away, etc. 10 No matter wherefore this word is used in a certain language, people always tend to use less harsh words4.1.3 In terms of sex, bodyexcretion and body elimination process Words relating to sex, reproduction and excretion are highly restricted to mention because they may burn down disgusting responses of people. Verbal taboo on them is probably motivated by the intuitive disaster, shame. People all have certain feelings of which they are so ashamed that they don t like to admit even to themselves. In peoples daily life or in some formal occasion, if the talk or discussion refers to something about drainage, people will try to avoid using vulgar language. They tend to use some implied or neutral words to make conversation comfortable. For ordinary people, the safest way to avoid mentioning these things that they have to mention in many circumstances is to use another expression-euphemism to replace the true name of such a thing.For example, in English there are many elegant expressions for going to WC, such as to wash ones hand, to spend a penny, to go and see ones aunt, to answer the call of nature, because nature calls, etc. 11 The topic concerning being significant is touchy because it tends to arouse the association with sexual behaviors. To beat round bushes is very necessary, such as with child , anticipating , excepting for pregnant , etc. 12 Talking about sexual intercourse is taboo. Expressions relating to sex have heavily been veiled for the designing of avoiding awkwardness and offense. So people use euphemistic words to talk about it. For example, people evade saying hip directly which is replaced with buttock, bottom, ones thing, and secret parts donates sex organs of both males and females.4.1.4 In terms of old ageEnglish and Chinese have different feelings about old age. A Chinese is proud of being old, whereas a westerner will feel irritated and even insulted at mentioning his oldness. In English culture, people do not describe others as or to be described as old because the old, who no longer work, are ignored by society. Therefore, people create the second childhood well-fixed years, senior citizen, gray hair, mature golden age when they refer to old age in which it attempts to conceal the fact of becoming old and avoid arousing old peoples sad feeling of aging. 14 4.2 The polite function of English euphemism.Polite ness is another important function that euphemisms serve in the sociallife. Politeness is the symbol of humans civilization and one of the important principles guiding peoples activities. As a kind of significant social activity, language activity must observe this principle, too. When we have to talk something unpleasant, we should choose euphemistic way to express in order not to hurt others. Being polite is a reasonable action that anyone who is keen on face-saving will take. The polite function of euphemism is tested to avoid being harsh or impolite in the communication. In other words, euphemisms are to minimize impolite expressions and maximize polite expressions. For instance, when a teacher comments on a students moral conducts and inform work in front of the student or his or her parent, he or she should report the fact on one hand, and on the other hand should take into consideration the students psychological resolution and the parents face.So the euphemistic way to exp ress might be The student is a bit slow for his or her age instead of The student is stupid . 15 The polite function of English euphemism is embody in every occupational language. Occupational discrimination gives people pressure and emotional irritation. Although euphemisms cannot uproot this kind of phenomenon, at least, they can give them some psychological comfort by upgrading of career name. Therefore, engineer, manager, etc. have become more and more fashionable.Dustman is changed to sanitary engineer mechanic to locomote engineer , gardener to landscape architect , shoemaker to shoe rebuilder 16 In English, there are many adjectives about peoples appearance, such as good looking, handsome, pretty, charming, attractive, etc. They are all commendatory words. When public lecture about someone who is not pretty, we cannot use ugly or outrageously. We had better use some euphemisms such as plain, ordinary, not particularly looking, etc. instead of them. So euphemisms polite function can save peoples face in their process of communication. It is so important that we cannot neglect it.4.3 The cosmetic function of English euphemismBesides the evasive and polite function, euphemism has the cosmetic function. This kind of euphemism is usually used in the government, military, politics and commerce. It refers to using good words to beautify things, which are not beautiful in reality and make the thing be more persuaded and acceptable. Because euphemism has the nature of vagueness, to some extent,it is deceptive. Traditionally speaking, euphemism plays a positive role in social life. Using it, people can avoid some embarrassed and ungracious occasion. But just as every coin has devil sides, euphemism has no exception. Using it suitably can coordinate social relationships, but abusing it will mislead the public, will cover up the essence of things. For example, in modern Hesperian society, the poor is called as the needy , later it was changed to the cultura lly deprived , then to the underprivileged , at last to the disadvantaged . So it will confuse people that this country is so rich that there is no poor people at all. Firstly, the government and the military often use them to disguise the reality from truth.They describe economical crisis as turning point or depression attack as active defense. 17 At the beginning of 20th century , the relationship between labor and cap become strained, and the agitation of striking became a serious social problem. In order to hide the fact, politicians call the strained labor-capital relationship as industrial climate, striking as industrial action. If the negotiation between labor and capital is successful, it will be claimed as productive, on the contrary, it is counter-productive. 18 Secondly, this kind of euphemism is widely used in commerce. It is often used to play tricks and to deceive the customers. The commercial exaggerates the products function and quality. In the analogous way, the English euphemism is also used to make customers feel pleased . For example, in order to meet the passengers sense of dignity, some Airlines call First line Deluxe sort out or Premium Class Second Class First Class and Third Class become Business Class, Economic Class, or Tourist Class.Doing like these, it seems that all passengers position are promoted. Their purpose is to attract more passengers and gain more profits by using euphemisms in the communication, meanwhile, the customers feel more decent, and it helps customers save face. In short, euphemism of this kind may make an idea more palatable, but they inflate language, reduce preciseness and often tamper with truth. Some people condemn euphemism as profane because of its hypocrisy, which other consider them useful in the aspect of coordinating social relationships . However, the fact remains that euphemisms are very much a part of the language, and whats more important for us is not to debate their merits or demerits, bu t rather to be able to realize that English euphemism can serve for the special social activitiesunder certain circumstance.5. ConclusionEnglish euphemism as an essential part of English language, is observed everywhere and widely used in peoples daily communication. On the materialization of the origin and social communicative function of English euphemism, this thesis has a tentative exploration. But this kind of exploration is in a state of Development because euphemism is developed all the time. Euphemism roots in every aspect of social life, and is developed with the advancement of society. English euphemism is a mirror of Western Culture in the form of English language. From the moment it was born, it has distinct culture color. Euphemism undoubtedly reflects the inner relationship among the cultural tradition, social values and the form of language. In speech interaction, sometimes, out of politeness or tact, one uses a pleasant, less direct word instead of something unpleas ant. Using euphemism is speakers active pragmatic Strategy in a certain time and a certain situation.English euphemism promotes the Development of English language, and enriches the vocabularies of English language, bountiful people a feeling of warm and fresh. In the 21st century, with the victimization of science and technology, many social problems rise, too. People crave for the gentle, warm and easy understood words. Euphemism emerges ceaselessly just right for meeting this psychological need. As a common communication medium and a rhetoric method, English euphemism will be used wider and wider.Some scholars hold the opinion that it is irrational to use euphemism because they have the nature of deceit, especially in politics and government. But we cannot deny the fact that euphemism is very helpful in the process of human communication. Twenty-first century is a period when people of different culture have even more touches with each other. So it is vital for us to have a go od understanding of English euphemism. It is unimaginable if the diplomatical negotiation is without euphemism. Using euphemism is a kind of language skill that each of us should master.Bibliography1 Li Qing. A Tentative playing area of English Euphemism-From pragmatic Perspective. Shandong Normal University, a masters degree thesis in English Language and books. 2003 2.24 P2 2 Wu Chang-Qi An Analysis of Diplomatic Euphemism from the Perspectives of Cooperative Principles andPoliteness Principle. 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