A Study Of The Dependence Of Euphemism On Context In English Language Teaching

Euphemism is the "substitution of mild or vague or roundabout expression for harsh or blunt or direct one"(Concise Oxford Dictionary,1982:403).Therefore,it is an effective and refined language.Euphemism has a wide application.It is very helpful in expressing the speaker's intention especially when it may cause embarrassment or uncomfortable feelings.However,it is just because euphemism is not the direct expression of the speaker's intention,how to correctly understand and use euphemism becomes a critical issue.Generally speaking,context is the best choice to understand euphemism.In other words,context plays a crucial part in interpreting the meaning of euphemism.Context not only restricts the choice of euphemism,but also helps explain the real implications of euphemism.It combines the situations where the event happens with the co-conditions of surroundings together and offers the reader a general expression.Then,it narrows down the choices according to the situation,and identifies the one that is in return most suitable for itself.It can even be said whether an expression is a euphemism or not largely depends upon the context where it appears.Since euphemism plays an important role in increasing communicative effects and language teachers' important job is to cultivate students' practical ability of using English, teachers should combine euphemism and real teaching activities.Consequently,this thesis is intended to explore the relationship between euphemism and functioning contextual elements,as well as to what degree are euphemism and English teaching related.College English(Book Three) is the focus in this research.First the author picks out all the euphemisms and euphemistic expressions in College English(Book Three)(Lesson One to Lesson Eight),and classifies them into different categories.Then the author analyzes the functioning contextual elements that influence the using and understanding of every euphemism.Finally,the author arrives at the conclusion that context really influences the choosing and understanding of euphemisms and euphemistic expressions,and English language teaching really cannot be separated from euphemisms and euphemistic expressions.Based on the findings and conclusion derived from her study,the author offers the suggestions that English teachers not only need emphasize the euphemisms and euphemistic expressions appearing in the textbook,teach them to students and teach them in context,but also should use euphemisms and euphemistic expressions to facilitate their teaching.In this way,students' practical ability of communication could be improved,and teachers' job will become easy and effective.