Abstract:

     English euphemism is an important part of English language which widely exists in different aspects of social life. The use of English euphemism can effectively avoid unpleasantness, impoliteness as well as embarrassment in communication in order to approach to a relatively ideal communication. The euphemism in social life will be analyzed in this paper from the pragmatic point of view. It aims to discuss the two main origins of the English euphemism, namely the violation of the Cooperative Principles and the accordance of the Politeness Principles. It also briefly studies the pragmatic functions of the English euphemism in social life to make people have a better understanding of the English euphemism.

Key words: euphemism, origin, the Cooperative Principles, the Politeness Principles, pragmatic function

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-4

2. Euphemism in English Social Life-4

2.1 Euphemism of death-5

2.2 Euphemism of sex-5

2.3 Euphemism of disease and disability-6

3.The Pragmatic Reasons for Euphemistic Effects-7

3.1 In the violation of the Cooperative Principle-7

4. The Pragmatic Functions of the English Euphemism in Social Life-16

Bibliography:-18