On The Study Of English Euphemism From The Perspective Of Conceptual Integration Theory

The aim of this paper is to investigate the applicability of Conceptual Integration Theory and the conceptual blending model for developing a linguistic understanding of the construction of meaning in English euphemisms. Commencing with an overview of general conceptions of euphemism and linguistic advances upon those conceptions, the paper surveys, categorizes, and details euphemism-formation means and devices, and provides examples of the key euphemistic mechanisms—phonemic devices, word formation devices, vocabulary devices, and rhetoric devices. Construction of a general knowledge of linguistic interests in euphemism is concluded by an examination of the functions and motives underlying English euphemisms and a brief historical review of English euphemism studies both within China and abroad.The paper offers a succinct description and explanation of Conceptual Integration Theory and conceptual blending, pertinent to linguistics, detailing the network model of conceptual integration and its component parts, as well as providing an illustration to Conceptual Integration Theory. To test the utility of the Conceptual Integration Theory and its respective network model for mapping the cognitive process involved in the construction of meaning in English euphemisms, the author applies the model to a number of euphemism case-examples. Analyses of the examples demonstrate, to a large degree, the efficacy of using Conceptual Integration Theory for figurative language studies such as this one, but also expose some challenging limitations as well. These limitations apply not only to euphemism but potentially to other forms of English figurative language as well—limitations that have implications for Chinese (and other non-native English) linguistic researchers and teachers using Conceptual Integration Theory for their research and teaching of English.