The Communicative Function of English Euphemism

【Abstract】Euphemism，as a cultural phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept，it reflects all kinds of social psychology and life habit.This paper analyzes the communicative functions of euphemism，such as taboo，politeness，and substitution.Making use of this language form，peoples interpersonal relations will be more harmonious.

【Key Words】Euphemism； Communicative Function； Taboo

1.Introduction

“The word ‘euphemismcomes from the Greek ‘eu- which means‘good and ‘-phememeans ‘speechor ‘saying，and thus means‘ literally to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner”（the Comparison and research for English and Chinese Language（Yu Yanqing，2008）.Just as the editor of oxford English Dictionary once observed that“a language without euphemisms would be a defective instrument of communication”.People also can continue the conversation with euphemisms，which makes the author interested in attitudes of participants and the purpose of conversation.In a word，the communicative functions of euphemism can made the society more harmonious.

2.Communicative Functions of Euphemism

Language is for communication，whereas euphemism may lead to better communication.In history，many talents had made use of euphemism and their works are known by almost all of the people in the world，for example，Shakespeare.When we have to touch some topics that are unpleasant，we tend to choose more euphemistic expressions to refer to those painful topics so as not to hurt the hearers feeling（梁紅梅，2000）.Euphemisms just minimize the impoliteness and maximize the politeness in communication.The functions of euphemisms are in agreement with those of taboo，politeness，substitution，disguise，too.

2.1 Function of Taboo.As the development of language， euphemism spreads in many aspects，such as death，and birth，etc.If someone died，people often choose more euphemistic expressions to refer the painful topic so as not to hurt the hearers feeling.For example：His father passed away when he was only five； He worked until he breathed his last.

In order to express the speaker respect and being refined，the communications are processed in a smooth way.If we express someones old age，we can say“past ones age prime，feeling ones age second childhood ，senior，citizens，golden years，longer living，well preserved，seasoned experienced” （徐莉娜，2002）.

2.2 Function of Politeness.Politeness is another very important function that euphemisms serves in social life.We often use “not all there，soft in the head，of unsound mind，simple-minded” instead of “mad，feeble-minded”，which means ones politeness and consideration to the listener.

People often use some words to avoid crudeness and indecency.We use “domestic help，day-help，live-in help” to express “maid，housekeeper” and “captain，hostess” to express “hairdresser”，etc.To express poverty and unemployment，We often make use of “discontinue，lay off，ease out，” and “out of pocket，hard up，badly off，in reduced，”etc.

2.3 Functions of Substitution.Substitution refers to the situation in which a word or name can be used in a community only under special conditions，whether only by certain persons or only in certain circumstances.Just as violating a cultural taboo can be quite offensive，it uses a verbal taboo in press conferences（胡春梅，2005）.

While substitutions of words occur when a particular topic is considered valid for discussion，euphemistic expression or terms are required.Diplomatic euphemisms have a very serious reason for human beings.Euphemisms can eliminate unhappiness，embarrassment and fear etc.so as to relieve people psychologically.For example，poor nations refer to nations backward； welfare mother means unemployed mother； etc.

3.Conclusion

Language communication is an important way to maintain the social relationship among human beings.The use of Euphemism avoids causing the unpleasantness of two communicative sides and damaging their relationship.The paper mainly explores the functions of taboo，politeness，avoidance of vulgarism，cover of Euphemism and persuasion that are helpful for our conscious and correct language using in cross-cultural communication.If we make good use of this language form，it will accelerate and facilitate human communication.Peoples interpersonal relations will be more harmonious.

References：

[1]Yu Yanqing.The Comparative Study of English and Chinese Taboo[J].Time Education，2008 （10）：272-273.

[2]胡春梅.論委婉語的構成及功能[J].浙江教育學院學報，2005 （1）：29-33.

[3]梁紅梅.委婉語的語用分析[J].天津外國語學院學報，2000 （1）：30-34.

[4]徐莉娜.跨文化交際中的委婉語解讀策略[J].外語與外語教學，2002（9）：6-9.

作者簡介：桂紅梅，女，河南羅山人，安康學院外語系教師，碩士研究生，研究方向為英語語言學，教學法等。