A Cognitive Study Of Euphemisms Concerning The Six Deadly Sins

In this thesis, metonymy theory is applied in the study of euphemisms concerning the six deadly sins so that (1) the role metonymy plays in these euphemisms, and (2) the origin of metonymy in these euphemisms can be found out.Firstly the theory of metonymy, which includes the ICMs in which metonymy happens, the principles for the selection of metonymy, the types of metonymy, the relationship between metonymy and metaphor, etc., are reviewed detailedly. Secondly, the metonymy theory is applied to the research on euphemisms concerning the six deadly sins from the perspective of Causation ICM, Category and Property ICM, Thing ICM, Container ICM, Events ICM, and metaphor. The study shows that in these models, the source (the literal meaning of the euphemisms) substitutes the target (the taboo meaning of the euphemisms), so that the negative factors of the target in society can be abated. Thirdly, these ICMs studied are classified and analyzed and the origins of the models are explored.Lastly, after the research the following conclusion is drawn: (1) Metonymy is the foundation of most euphemisms concerning the six deadly sins. (2)In these euphemisms, culture and physiological experience are the cognitive basis of most metonymic models.