美国委婉语纵横研究

A Vertical and Horizontal Study of American Euphemism

美国委婉语从19世纪中叶至今使用范畴、使用动机、具体词汇都有明显的变化,对美国委婉语的纵向研究通过对美国委婉语的过去和现状进行考察,可以了解其发展变化的轨迹和趋势;美国委婉语具有自己独特的特性,忠实地反映着本土独特的历史文化发展轨迹与现实状况,对美国委婉语的横向研究通过对比美、英两国委婉语在词汇、来源、委婉程度上的差别,揭示美国委婉语所蕴含的独特文化内涵。

From 1930s up to now, obvious changes can be found in American euphemism in vocabulary, category and motivation. A vertical study of American euphemism shows its developing track and tendency. American euphemism has its own distinctions and faithfully records American historical and contemporary realities. A horizontal study distinguishes American euphemism from British euphemism in vocabulary, source and degree, therefore discloses the distinctive cultural content in it.