A Comparative Analysis Of Euphemism In The Chinese And Italian Languages

Euphemism is a common phenomenon in human society. China has an early history of euphemism usage and research. The systematic research of euphemism began in Italy in the 1950s. Both countries have made substantial progress in euphemism studies in their respective languages. However, thus far, there is no systematic comparative study of euphemism in the two languages. Using euphemism as a reflective point, this thesis takes an in-depth comparative analysis of the Italian and Chinese languages with the aim to reveal the two countries' linguistic and cultural differences as well as to analyse the reasons behind such differences.This thesis consists of nine chapters. The first chapter summerises the historical and contemporary usage of euphemism in Chinese and Italian languages to reveal the significance of, and lay the foundation for, a comparative analysis of the two languages. The second chapter examines the definition of euphemism and analyses the cognitive base of euphemism in the human languages. The third chapter focuses on the categorization and usage of euphemism in the Chinese and Italian languages. The fourth chapter elaborates on a comparative analysis of the creational patterns of euphemism in the two languages. The fifth chapter examines the language functionality of euphemism in the Chinese and Italian languages. The sixth chapter analyses the main factors that influences the usage of euphemism. The seventh chapter provides a summary of the origin and application of similarities and differences of Chinese and Italian euphemism. The eighth chapter summerises the obstacles relating to the functional usage of euphemism in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language and proposes some relevant recommendations in overcoming these barriers,and the ninth chapter is conclusion.By using euphemism as a reflective point, this thesis deepens the comparative research of the Chinese and Italian languages. To a certain extent, it enriches the comparative study of the domain of the two languages and contributes to the strengthening and improvement of teaching Chinese as a foreign language. In taking into account both the historical and contemporary aspects of euphemism usage, this thesis provides a comparative analysis of the origin, categorization, evolutionary process, language functionality and factors influencing the usage of euphemism in the Chinese and Italian languages. By identifying the difference between euphemism usage in the Chinese and Italian languages, the findings of this thesis will assist Italian students in their better comprehension and application of the Chinese language, thus improving their expression accuracy and appropriateness. The contribution of this thesis in academia is equally applicable to the comparative study of Chinese and Roman languages. It can provide the Roman students who are studying the Chinese language important guidance and assistance. At the same time, it also provides assistance to Chinese students who are studying the Italian and/or Roman language or any other languages. Lastly, through this comparative study of euphemism in the Chinese and Italian languages, we can identify the differences in value, lifestyle, customs and religion between the Chinese and Italian people. This thesis provides an advantageous platform to better understand the Chinese and Italian cultural characteristics, thereby contributing great significance and value in cultural science research.