英汉委婉语之比较

A Contrastive Study of Chinese Euphemisms and English Euphemisms

委婉语是语言使用中人们协调人际关系的一个重要手段 ,也是人类语言中的一种普遍现象。不同的语言社团、不同的社会层次都有一些特定手段来进行委婉表达。委婉语是突破传统狭义词汇层次的广义委婉语。英汉委婉语在构造手段以及所揭示的文化意义方面都是不同的。英汉两种语言中各有独具特色的委婉语构成手段 ;同时 ,不同的历史、价值观和宗教信仰在英汉委婉语中也有不同的反映。这一比较有助于加深对汉英两种语言特色以及两种语言所反映的文化背景的了解。

Euphemism is a common phenomenon as well as an important way of smoothing relationship among people.Different language communities have their own specific system of euphemisms.Using as a broad meaning that is not limited to lexical level,English euphemisms are different from Chinese ones on two sides—formation of euphemisms and the cultural meanings they reflect.Both languages have their own ways of formation of euphemisms.At the same time,different history,values and religions have exerted influence on euphemisms of the two languages.This contrastive study will help to promote comprehension of both the characteristics of the two languages and the cultural background reflected by them.