A Pragmatic Analysis Of English Euphemism And Its Implications For English Teaching In China

Euphemism, which serves as a lubricant, is an essential part in human communication. In both daily communication and formal communication, it's unavoidable for people to mention some unhappy or embarrassing topics. The use of euphemism can avoid mentioning these topics directly, thus making communications go on more smoothly. The same is true of English euphemism which can be used to maintain more harmonious relationships between people in communications. In order to learn English well, English learners must have a good understanding of the western culture, of which English euphemism is an important part. Thus, English learners must pay enough attention to the learning and use of English euphemism.Scholars and researchers both at home and abroad have showed great interest in the study of English euphemism. Traditional linguistic studies paid more attention to the language itself, while ignoring the pragmatic motivations of using English euphemism. This thesis gives a brief introduction of the definition, formation and classification of English euphemism, and discusses its relationship with three related pragmatic theories. Cooperative principle provides an ideal principle for human communication. However, in real life, people often violate this principle to create more harmonious human relationships. English euphemism violates cooperative principle in order to observe politeness principle and face theory.English euphemism plays such an important role in the western society. However, they haven't received enough attention from Chinese English learners. Many Chinese students don't know what euphemism is, let alone how to use it properly, which results in unsuccessful communication with westerners. They may be able to communicate with westerners, but may have some difficulty in being polite. Westerners may consider them rude and impolite.Euphemism is a powerful tool that can smooth people's communication and promote their friendship. It makes sense that euphemism is worth people's attention in teaching and learning activities. Since there exist great cultural differences between Chinese people and westerners, learning English euphemism can also help Chinese students cultivate their intercultural awareness and intercultural sensitivity, which unfortunately has not been given enough attention in traditional English teaching. Intercultural awareness refers to knowledge about one's cultural identity, values, world views, cultural patterns. Intercultural sensitivity refers to one's intuitive sensitivity to cultural differences, as well as one's desire to acknowledge, appreciate and accept cultural differences.Many English teachers in China nowadays still use the traditional English teaching method:paying much attention to words and grammar instead of communicative competence acquirement such as euphemism teaching. As a result, many Chinese students can get high scores in their English tests, but they cannot communicate with English speakers, or exactly speaking, communicate successfully. English euphemism learning is a good way to increase students'intercultural awareness and intercultural sensitivity.In this study, through a test finished by 78 senior high school students, it is found that these students did not do well in the use of English euphemism most probably because both English language teachers and learners in China have neglected euphemism in their English teaching and learning.Though some people may say teaching and learning are independent, considering the determinable role English teachers play in the design of language teaching, it is important for English teachers to work out effective teaching theories and approaches. As for euphemism teaching, it is a pity that it has not received enough attention in the past, because it is very common for people to consider it to be the linguists'job to study it. However, it is an indispensable part of the English language and plays an important role in English communication. English teachers should teach their students euphemistic expressions and their usage and encourage them to practice them as much as possible. This will enable the students to communicate effectively. In view of this fact, three teaching methods are suggested in this thesis: classroom teaching, practicing and appreciation methods.Introducing Euphemism into English Teaching can make English study more interesting and meaningful. China, as an Eastern country, is more and more incorporated into the world. We inevitably need to communicate with western countries in many contexts. But with completely different cultures and values, a lot of conflicts may arise during communication. If not handled properly, these conflicts may cause serious misunderstandings. The use of English euphemism is closely related to the western culture. After learning English euphemism, Chinese students can have a better understanding of the western culture and can make smoother communications with westerners.This thesis analyzes English euphemism from the pragmatic point of view and recommends some methods for English teaching and learning. However, the study is preliminary. More profound and systematic researches are needed in the future.