On The Motivation Of Euphemism: A Perspective Of Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs Theory

Euphemism is a culturally universal language phenomenon. There is a great deal of study concerning its definition, characteristics, and translation, etc. Previous studies on the motivation of euphemism have been relatively less systematic and mainly conducted from the cultural and pragmatic perspective. Cultural motivations consist of taboo, traditional morality, social convention, psychological factors, and religion. The pragmatic principles behind euphemism are the Speech Act Theory, the Cooperative Principle, the Politeness Principle, the Face Theory, and the Adaptation Theory. All the scholars who conducted the research from these two perspectives have made significant contributions to interpreting the motivation of euphemism. In this thesis, the author employs a humanistic approach to interpreting the motivation of euphemism by utilizing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The Hierarchy of Needs is a wonderfully useful framework for analyzing and trying to understand the subtleties as well as the broader aspects of human behavior and growth. Since using euphemism is a chosen linguistic behavior, Maslow's theory would not only be a valid theory for understanding and explaining the motivation of euphemism, but would broaden our knowledge of the motivation of euphemism as well.As far as I am concerned, people resort to euphemism to meet their special needs. War, unemployment, poverty, divorce, illness and death are topics that are not only extremely sensitive, but also can cause tremendous sense of insecurity and anxiety. In order to satisfy their safety need, people resort to euphemism to diminish the negativity of the terms related to the abovementioned topics, for they prefer a safe and organized world with law and order, which he or she can depend on and in which unexpected, unmanageable, chaotic, or other dangerous things do not happen. Homosexuals and criminals are the objects of prejudice and discrimination, and they are also subject to stereotyping, which further adds to marginalization. To satisfy the need of belongingness and love, a profusion of euphemisms concerning homosexuals and criminals take root in language. All humans have a need to be respected, to have self-respect, and to respect others. Therefore, a vast number of euphemisms related to old age, disabled people and occupation are employed, for everyone wants to be approved and respected. In some individuals, there is a truly basic aesthetic need, as Maslow states that"They get sick (in special ways) from ugliness, and are cured by beautiful surroundings". As a result, people use euphemisms to beautify things.