Chapter One Introduction
1.1 Background
With the development and prosperity of Chinese economy and culture, the contact of China with the outside word becomes more and more frequent. The most popular ways in which modern English is expressed include the so-called mass media such as newspapers, magazines, TV and network besides literature. To have a good command of modern English, it is not enough to learn from textbooks or read some famous English novels. Since 1970s, the modern English has experienced great changes, especially, for American English. Euphemism has become fashionable again. This phenomenon is extremely obvious in journalism English. Euphemism is a common phenomenon in journalism. The employment of euphemism in journalism English always brings special effects to journalistic languages. In recent 10 years, scholars have much enthusiasm to study euphemism in journalism English, but they seldom concern themselves on the reason why euphemisms come into being in journalism English.
1.2 Research rationale and objective
Euphemism was used a lot in journalism English in order to show the journalist intention nicely as well as to help the readers to overcome certain psychological barrier and eliminate some unhappy association. The main principals of news language are authentic, accurate and prompt; however, euphemism takes roundabout as its characteristics which show the function of beautification, smoothness and inflexion and so on. In journalism English, euphemism transfers the intention of journalists as well as its social meaning and cultural connotation.
Lots of journalism English is involved in our reading materials. As an English learner, we must know the use of euphemism in journalism English, and then we can comprehend the intention of journalism to improve our ability of comprehension and the speed of reading.
Since 1970s, euphemism has been a common phenomenon in journalism, which
- 1 -
always brings special effects to journalistic language. More and more scholars have had high spirits to study euphemism in journalism English, but they seldom gave the reason why euphemism emerged in journalism English. This paper will discuss the function and classification of euphemism in journalism English, then set forth the social meaning and connotation, at last give some reasons of euphemism emerging in journalism English.
- 2 -
Chapter Two Literature review
Since it is important to understand euphemism in our reading, many scholars have been doing research of the euphemism, especially the euphemism in journalism English.
2.1 Studies on Euphemism
In 1981, the British linguist Hugh Rawson published A Dictionary of Euphemism and Other Double – talk, which sums up the dictionary of British and American linguists in the aspect of euphemism, domestic scholars give it high marks. In 1983, the American scholars, Neaman and Sliver published a dictionary Kind Words - A Treasure of Euphemisms, which describes in detail the euphemism of the origin, history, development and change. In 1985, DJ Enright published a Proceeding book Fair of Speech, the Use of Euphemism, which collected many euphemisms in papers for future research. In 1991, Allen and Burridge published the book Euphemism and Dysphemism, from the pragmatic point of view, which research English euphemism, and it is very useful, but most euphemism researchers refer to one of the writings. 2.2 Studies on Euphemism in Journalism English
Dr. Mustafa. Shazali. Mustafa published The Interpretation of Implicature: A Comparative: Study Between Implicature in Linguistics and Journalism in the Journal of Language Teaching and Research.(Vol.1, pp.35-43), he introduced the origin, definition and function of the journalism English. Bill Brohaugh issued his article Cantankerous Commentary on What We Speak And Why We Speak It( at 12:12am 01.16.09), he introduces the social function and connotation of euphemism. In the Euphemism in the Journalism English, Tan Menglin expounded the definition and classification of euphemism. Guo Liang and Gong Yi set forth the pragmatic functions of euphemism in their paper On Pragmatic of Euphemism in Journalistic English.
- 3 -
Chapter Three Introduction to Euphemism
We should have a better understanding of the common euphemism; then we can look into the euphemism in journalism English. 3.1 Origin of Euphemism
Euphemism is a linguistic phenomenon, from the taboo. In many societies, because of cultural, religious, political, customs and other reasons, people should avoid many things and can not engage in many behaviors, which formed social taboo. It is usually said by people. In the course of people's daily interactions, because their name could not be mentioned, it gradually developed into a language of taboo. However, for various reasons, people also can not completely avoid them. At this time, people had to express in other languages instead of them indirectly. This alternative language means euphemism. In the ancient Greek, Prefix ―eu‖ means good, well or sounding well; root ―phemism‖ views speech, the literal meaning of \men\euphemism for \which sounds harsh. As a linguistic phenomenon, Euphemism is from the social taboo.‖
3.2 Definition of Euphemism
The word ―euphemism‖ comes from the Greek, eu--means ―good‖, and –pheme-, ―speech‖ or ―saying‖, and together it means literally ―to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner‖. Euphemism, as a cultural phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept, has attracted people’s attention for a long time. It has long been a topic of much interest. Generally speaking, people would use more euphemisms in communicating with the opposite sex; women would use more than men would; older people would use more than younger generations. People would more use euphemisms in \would use more euphemisms. The above factors: age, sex, social status, education, etc. do not work separately. In communicating, they are interlaced with each other and
- 4 -
guide our choice of euphemisms. Whether to use euphemisms or taboo words also depends, to a large extent, on the attitudes of participants and the purpose of conversations. Newspaper euphemism used in English can be divided into two categories: Used in the news related with the life of the traditional euphemism, euphemism called Language (traditional euphemisms). Traditional euphemism often used to avoid old age, sickness, death, sex, nude, drawing, Caesar and other taboo things, such as (Death) mean pass away, ―euphemism‖ comes from the Greek and is being gradually accepted by the people all over the world.
3.3 Function of Euphemism in English
Euphemism is common phenomenon in the process of using human language; people are talking about unpleasant or embarrassing things and they use polite phrase. Euphemism should not be used to express a person or thing in direct communication. In the process of language communication, it is sometimes necessary to taboo what people say (or write) some words, which are taboo words. However, in some cases, in speech delivery, some taboo words have to be said; can not be avoided, so rather indirect way of expression, euphemism came into being. In the information age, Reading English newspapers is one of the main channel to access information. Therefore, to acquire new characteristics of English news language, reading newspapers acquires more and more American attention. There involves very extensive use of euphemism in English news , but they all reflect various degrees of speech and behavior guidelines, and most people’s patterns and values, and morality, which have been recognized in today's American society .Next English Euphemism functions in the news will be talked about. 3.3.1 Function of Politeness
Euphemism is a frequent use of language strategy in the process of disseminating information. In the news report, there often exist \take into account the reported person's face; euphemism language has become a strategy which is often used, such as: Nixon's proposals have been hailed as sound if not original. But this appraisal of his own stewardship sometimes seems more
- 5 -