| In this dissertation, the author argues for an innovative approach to the study of euphemism in light of cognitive linguistics. This approach is based upon the prototype theory, levels of categorization and conceptual metaphor.The first two chapters offer a general introduction to the theoretical framework in cognitive linguistics, its main claims, and its three existing approaches.Chapter three deals with the linguistic phenomenon of euphemism, focusing on its definition and origin in word fetishism.Chapter four begins with an elaboration of prototype theory and levels of categorization. Later, it is claimed that some tabooed words and their corresponding euphemisms function as the prototype and peripheral members respectively. The replacement of tabooed words with the euphemistic words can realize the effect of'indirectness'of euphemism in that the peripheral members are not so perceptually salient as the prototype, thus making it harder for the hearer to call up the unpleasant feelings concerned. When it comes to the levels of categorization, the tabooed words are basic level categories and the euphemistic expressions are the superordinate level categories. Because the superordinate level category can highlight some category-wide attribute, thus the employment of euphemism can highlight certain attribute and at the same time downplay other attributes that are likely to cause unpleasant feelings.Chapter five is the study of euphemism in relation to conceptual metaphor. Because conceptual metaphor as well as the metonymy possesses the specific cognitive feature of highlighting and hiding some aspects of a concept, the euphemistic expressions organized by metaphor and metonymy play the role of downplaying the negative and unpleasant aspects of the tabooed things.The present research presents a bold attempt to apply the theories in cognitive linguistics to euphemism so as to prove that it is practical to study the euphemism from the perspective of cognitive linguistics.
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