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Abstract Euphemism is a widespread and common linguistic phenomenon in our daily life. As an effectively communicative strategy, almost everyone makes use of euphemisms from time to time in the situations which they feel difficult, embarrassed or unsuitable to talk about some things directly.
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With the instant development of society and civilization, more and more euphemisms have been used in discussing daily life and social affairs. Occupation is one of the main topics in daily life. Since 1960s, with the stimulation of Civil Rights Movement and Women’s Liberation Movement, more and more people began to pursue their civil rights and equality. Under this background, English occupation euphemism is produced and has been developing after that time.
This thesis will focus on analyzing the characteristics and social functions of English occupation euphemism from the perspective of motive, formation and application. Some relevant concept of linguistics will be applied in the thesis. The purpose of the thesis is to help people to understand English occupation euphemism and appropriately use it in daily communication.
Key Words: euphemism, English occupation euphemism, characteristics, social functions
摘要
委婉语，作为一种日常交际方式，它能有效地避免人们在谈话中因过于直接而引起的尴尬或不快的情况发生。因此，委婉语在日常生活中被广泛使用。同时，随着时代和文化的不断发展，越来越多的领域中都出现了新的委婉语。上世纪60年代，在民权运动和妇女解放运动的刺激下，人们追求人权和平等的愿望被唤醒。在这个背景下，职业委婉语开始兴起并得以发展。
本文从委婉语的性质和功能入手，并结合语言学相关理论，通过对英语职业委婉语的产生动机、构成方式和应用行业等方面的分析，来总结英语职业委婉语的特点，并探讨其社会功能，帮助人们更好地理解和掌握英语职业委婉语，从而能够在人际交往中更恰如其分地加以运用。9477
关键词: 委婉语，英语职业委婉语, 特点, 社会功能
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments i
Abstract ii
摘要 iii
1 Introduction 1
2 Euphemism 2
2.1 Definition of Euphemism 2
2.2 Classification of Euphemism 2
2.3 Functions of Euphemism 3
2.3.1 The Evasive Function 4
2.3.2 The Polite Function 4
2.3.3 The Cosmetic Function 4
3 English Occupation Euphemism 5
3.1 Definition of English Occupation Euphemism 5
3.2 Origin and Development of English Occupation Euphemism 5
4 Characteristics of English Occupation Euphemism 7
4.1 Motives for English Occupation Euphemism 7
4.1.1 Social Background 7
4.1.2 Psychological Background 7
4.2 Formation of English Occupation Euphemism 8
4.2.1 Borrowing 8
4.2.2 Substitution 9
4.2.3 Analogy 10
4.2.4 Clipping 11
4.3 Application of English Occupation Euphemism 11
4.3.1 Menial Jobs 11
4.3.2 Illegitimate Jobs 11
4.3.3 Religious Job 12
4.4 Summary 12
5 Social Functions of English Occupation Euphemism 14
5.1 Elevation 14
5.2 Technolization 14
5.3 Neutralization 15
6 Conclusion 16
Bibliography 18
1 Introduction
Euphemism is a widespread and common linguistic phenomenon in our daily life. As an effectively communicative strategy, almost everyone makes use of euphemisms from time to time in the situations which they feel difficult, embarrassed or unsuitable to talk about some things directly. For example, when people have to talk about a death in the family, they are likely to give an expression like "passed away" or "gone to the west" rather than "died". In this case, the meaning of "gone to the west" is equal to the meaning of "died", but it sounds much softer and polite. No wonder Enright D.J. had said "Without euphemism, the world comes to a halt because of the ‘frication’ and resentments would arise among people."（Enright, 1985:113）As a creature of the age, euphemism also reflects both the progress of social civilization and promotion of humanistic spirit. Euphemism is put people first. It is used to reach some "psychological balance" and thus be regarded as the result of mutual psychological tendency to comfort.