Pragmatic Study Of English Euphemism

As an indispensable and natural part of English language, English euphemism has been arousing wide interest. Many linguists and scholars have studied the linguistic phenomenon from different angles. Based on their achievements, the author will have an exploration of the principles and ways of using English euphemisms.English euphemism as a linguistic concept is also a cultural phenomenon. Therefore, it has close relationships with the western culture, and it truly reflects the life and values of English people through history. In the thesis, firstly the author tries to analyze the definition, the classification and the formation of euphemism and clarify the relationship among euphemism, language and culture. Secondly, trying to analyze cultural motivations and communicative functions of English euphemisms, the author attempts to explain that English euphemisms have strong cultural backgrounds, and that they are outward and visible signs of our inward anxieties, conflicts, fears and shames. By tracing them, it is possible to see that taboo, traditional morality, social convention, psychological factors and religions are cultural motivations of English euphemisms, and it is possible to see the great role which they play in speech interaction.However, the thesis is not limited to the analysis of culture features of English euphemism, it goes on to explore the pragmatics of English euphemism in communication. The exploration will be mainly about principles and ways of using English euphemisms. The Cooperative Principle and the Politeness Principle are two basic guiding principles in communication. To some degree, to meet a certain need, people often flout some maxims of the Cooperative Principle in order to show politeness. Euphemism is just the case. Furthermore, euphemisms change constantlyand their meanings are dominantly influenced by social and cultural factors. Therefore, for English learners, how to use English euphemism effectively is of great importance in communication. Using English euphemism according to social context, getting acquainted with English culture and raising awareness of cultural differences can be the basis for successful communication.