The Pragmatic Analysis of English Euphemism

hwsy@overseaen.comISSN 1009-5039htp://www.overseaen.comOverseas English海外英谓Tel:+86- -551-5690811 5690812The Pragmatic Analysis of English Euphemism吴卞,夏霖(重庆=峡学院外国语学院.重庆404100)Abstract: In daily communication, English euphermism is both a common linguistic and cultural phenomenon. In general, those disgusting,trrifying and unpleasant facts can be covered and those defacing, emarassing things can be hidden by the use of euphermism. The original-ity of this paper lies in the study of English euphemism fom the perspective of pragmatics. It discusses some fundamental knowledge andthe pragmatic functions of English euphemism.Key words: English euphemism; pragmatic function; pragmatic theorics中图分类号:H059文献标识码:A文章编 号:1009- -5039(2011)12 -0266-021 Introduction3.1.1 The function of avoiding tabooSome English euphemisms are associated with taboo. Taboo ex-Euphemism is not only a social language phenomenon but alsoists in every language. Euphemisms can be used as substitutes in ora cultural phenomenon. Language is the subjective response of ob-der to avoid embarrassment, anxiety and public shame caused by la-jective society. In moderm society, intemational communication isboo words. For example, "Cod" is replaced by "Cad", "Satan" byforeign academic exchange, politics, military activity and lravel ser-"the good man", and "die" by "pass away".vice. As a common language phenomenon, social phenomenon and3.1.2 The function of being politeIn daily communication, politeness is regarded as an essentialcultural phenomenon, euphemism has aroused the most interest atelement that epeakers must pay attention to. To be specific, nativehome and abroad .So language learmers have to leam euphemism inEnglish speakers tend to use euphemisms in order to show their po-order to improve 80 that communicative skills can be improved.liteness. For example, "give me the book" is replaced by "Would2 Definition of English Euphemismyou please give me the book" and "disabled people" by "handi-So far, euphemism has diferent definitions in different bookscapped".and there is not a universally accepted one. Here are some influen-3.1.3 The function of disguisingtial definitions:Euphemism can be used to beautify things to avoid negativeIn 1995, Concise Oxford Dictionary in 9th edition defines eu- impact and it is not always used out of good moives. By using eu-phemism as a mild or vague expression substiuted for one thoughtphemism, ambiguity can be produced and truth can be hidden. As ato be loo harsh or direcl.consequence, some profiteers and polticians are likely to use eu-In 1996, Pocket Oxford English-Chinese Dictionary gives thedefinition of euphemism as a mild or vague expression substitutedAmerican arms invaded Grenada. The American President Reaganfor a harsher or more direct one.fit to be tied because news reporters used the words "invade" veryIn 1997, Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Diction-much in reporting the news. On the other hand, Reagan called itary lists a new definition: use of pleasant, mild or indirect words or " rescue mission".phrases in place of more accurate or direct ones.3.1.4 The function of being humorous and ironicFrom these different definitions, there is something in com-Compared with the former three functions, the forth one seems; euphemism is used to refer a mode of expression which isless important. But it can't be denies that some English euphe-mild, vague and polite used to mean something unpleasant.misms can surely make language more vivid and humorous. Here is3 The Pragmatic Analysis of English Euphemisma typical instance: when someone is naked we often say he is inbithday suit instead.3.1 The pragmatic functions of english euphemism3.1.5 The function of being modestEuphemism is commonly used in many aspects of daily and s0-Being modest is another important pragmatic function of eu-cial life such as physiological phenomena of human body, political, phemism. In communication, speaker can use some expressions toeconomic, military affairs as well as other social problems. The prag-uplift the hearer's status or lower the speaker's own status. Thesematic functions of English euphemism in its aplicaion scope can expressions are clled anti- euphemisms. Anti- euphemism is notbe used as evidence to show that euphemism is more of a communi-"to call a spade a spade", but "to beal around bushes", therefore, itcative means than of a rhetorical device.belongs to euphemism. For example, "your humble servant" is used中国煤化工收稿日期:2011-10-14修回日期:2011-11-15YHCNMH G作者简介:吴卞(1979-),女,重庆忠县人,讲师,硕士,从事应用语言学、英语教学理论及应用研究;夏霖(1976-)女,重庆万州人,副教授,硕士,从事英美文学、英语教学理论及应用研究。266▼瀘1'1771115栏相责任褊辑:谢嫒嫒2011年12月Overseas English 海外美语to refer to the speaker himself or herself.3.2 Some pragmatic theories and english euphemismindirert speech act, B indicates his/her refusal to A's request3.2.1 Cooperative principle and english euphemism3.2.4 face theory and english euphemismIn 2002, Grice slates: "make your conversational contributionThe soriologist Ervin Goffman proposed the Theory ofsuch a8 is required, at the stage at which it occurs, by the accepledFace-work in the Early 1950s. He held the idea that in communica-purpose or direction o{ the talk exchange in which you are engage"tion each partiripant has a emotional and social sense of himselfin CP- -Cooperative Principle (Grice, 2002:26). To make it clearer,and expects other to recognize it. This emotionxl and social sense ofGrice proposes four categories in CP. They are quantity, quality, re-oneself is alled "face".lation, and manner.According to CP in order to provide suffcient information peo-W hen communicating with others, speakers may always think aboutple should speak clearly, relevantly, and sinrerely but in reality,what go speak and how to speak in order to maintain the speakers'people don't always follow the principle strictly. The sub maxim offace and to save face of other participants. Speakers ue variousquantity is often violated in communication. Speaker may providestrategies to weaken face- threatening acts. The using euphemismsless information than needed. Here is an example: "He is out" isis one of these stralegies is. F'or example, in order to save the face ofused to replace "He is out of work" "d---" and ***** are used tothe speaker "I wa disadvantaged" can be used to replace "I waspoor": in order to save the face of the hearer speaker may use "youreplacr "damn" and "fuck".are full figure" instead of "you are fat".3.2.2 Politeness principle and english euphemismIn the 1980s, Leech presented The Politeness Principle (PP)4 Conclusionsand it was treated 8s a supplement to the CP. Generally. PP is usedEuphemism is the reaction of human civilization, which isto maximize those positive expressions to show politeness and onwidely used in modem society; covering and conlaining everything,the other hand, it can also be uned to minimize those negalive ex-involving in every walk of life. Euphemism is a very important meth-pressions to avoid impoliteness PP is used to coperate with andod of adjusting intemational relationship. The motivation of usingeven rescue the CP and its maxims. For example:euphemism is very complicated, however it has strong vitality. How-A: Mary, would you please help me clean the house?ever, euphemism is nol used in every situation; speakers should useit in the proper time and place. Funetions of euphermism are veryEuphemistie expression used by B is served to indicate pur-important as well. From the perspective of pragmatics, speakerspose of rejection; however, because the use of CP and PP. the rejec-may deliberately violale the four maxims o[ Crice's Cooperativetion doesn't offend A and avoid embarrassment simultaneously. It isPrinciple and strictly observe Leech's Politeness Principle so thata good example to minimize the expression of impolite beliefs andthey can communicale with others sucessfully. In short, languagemaximine the expression of polite beliefs.leamers should learm how to use euphermism properly and therefore,3.2.3 Indirect speech act theory and english euphemismthey can achieve the purpoge of adjusting the intermational relation-In 1969, the American philomopher, J. R. Scarle proposed thewhip and improving their communicative skills.theory of indirect speech act. In a certain context an indirect speechReferences: .act is used when the speaker's meaning is not consistent with the lit-eral meaning. Indirect speech acls also include those euphemistic[1] Crice H P.Studies in the Way of Words[M])Bejjing:Foreign lan-expressions which are used to show such polite intentions as inqui-guage Teaching and Research Presn,2002.y, order, advice, request, suggestions and refusal. 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