English Occupational Euphemism--A Case Study Of English Euphemism

Euphemism is widely used in the human languages. In the past decades, English has been undergoing constant changes and development. One of the peculiar traits is that English euphemism is in vogue and in constant renewal. English euphemism is of great importance, and plays the part of lubricant in communication, avoiding the embarrassment of the listener caused by the straight-forwardness of the speaker.This paper consists of four chapters, with an introduction and a conclusion preceding and following them. Chapter One states the definition of euphemism, the origin and the development of English euphemism. This part presents the relationship between taboo and euphemism and the characteristics of English euphemism marked by the age. Chapter Two deals with the classification of English euphemism, indicating the delimited criteria that English occupational euphemism accords with. Chapter Three illustrates the methods of expressions, principles and means of formation of English occupational euphemism. Chapter Four dwells on the motives for generating occupational euphemism and its social function, then uses the basic theories of pragmatics, mainly including the cooperative principle and the politeness principle, to analyze the application of euphemism by means ofoccupational euphemism as a case study.Mainly concerned with the cultural and psychological origin of euphemism, this paper argues that euphemism is the result of the common psychological tendency to beauty and comfort. Euphemism is used to reach some "psychological balance", and at the same time obey the "polite principle" and " face-saving theory".From the static angle, euphemism belongs to the semantic category, mainly reflected by the substitution of words or phrases. From the dynamic angle, euphemism belongs to the interpersonal pragmatic category, because the aim of application of euphemism is to make a smooth and successful communication. Euphemism is the need and an important means of communication to maintain the social and interpersonal relationship. As a strategy, it has intense social functions.This paper describes the characteristics and application of English occupational euphemism in order to know better and make best use of euphemism.