从文化差异看英汉委婉语

On Chinese and English Euphemism from the Perspective of Cultural Diversity

英汉两种语言中委婉语是普遍的修辞现象,目的是为了达到更好的交际效果。语言是社会现象,中西方自然环境、社会环境、生产生活方式、文化积淀各有不同,因此委婉语必然存在差异。避讳、礼貌、利益是委婉语产生的原因;其次从宗教信仰、等级观念、价值观念、思维差异等方面来讨论英汉委婉语所反映出的不同文化底蕴,帮助人们更深入地了解委婉语,并在跨文化交际中准确灵活地运用,最大限度地减少沟通障碍。

Euphemism in both Chinese and English is a common rhetoric phenomenon that can help us achieve better communication. Language is a social phenomenon in which physical environments, social circumstances, production styles, life styles and cultural accumulation differs from China and the Western world, which inevitably leads to differences in euphemism. In view of this, this paper analyzes the causes for euphemism from the perspectives of taboo, manners and interests. Next, it analyzes the differences in terms of religious believes, sense of hierarchy, social values and thinking patterns so as to help people have a better understanding of euphemism and use it accurately in cross-cultural communication and reduce communication obstacles as many as possible.