An Analysis of Euphemism in the Dialogues in Vanity Fair from the Perspective of Politeness Principle_英语论文

摘要

对话是一种交际行为。人际交往过程出于不同目的而采用不同的言语表达，得到了不同的交际效果。礼貌原则是一种交际原则，更是一种语用原则。为了遵守礼貌原则，人们在交际中使用敬谦语、禁忌语和委婉语等多种言语表达方式。委婉语是在礼貌原则指导下形成的一种语言形式。委婉语遵守礼貌原则并广泛运用在对话交流中，发挥着重要的语用价值和社会功能。人们对委婉语进行研究分析，并掌握委婉语的使用形式，能促进谈话的顺利开展，达成交际目的。本文以《名利场》的人物对话为研究素材，从礼貌原则角度分析委婉语的表现形式。

关键词：委婉语  礼貌原则  《名利场》 

Abstract

Dialogue is a communicative act. The process of interpersonal communication uses different verbal expressions for different purposes and has different communicative effects. The Politeness Principle is a communicative principle and a pragmatic principle. In order to abide by the Politeness Principle, a variety of verbal expressions such as respectfulness, taboo and euphemism have been produced. Euphemism is a language form to follow the Politeness Principle. Euphemism complies with the Politeness Principle and is widely used in dialogue and communication, playing an important role in pragmatic value and social function. The research and analysis of euphemism and the use of euphemism can promote the smooth development of the conversation and achieve the purpose of the communication. This thesis takes the characters’ dialogues in Vanity Fair as the research materials, and analyzes the form of euphemism from the perspective of the Politeness Principle.

Key words: Euphemism  the Politeness Principle  Vanity Fair    

Contents

Chapter One  Introduction.1

1.1  Purpose of the Thesis1

1.2 Significance of the Thesis.1

1.3  Structure of the Thesis2

1.4 Research Methods of the Thesis2

Chapter Two  Literature Review3

2.1  Introduction.3

2.2  Previous Studies on Euphemism.3

2.3  Previous Studies on the Politeness Principle5

2.4  Comment.7

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework8

3.1  Introduction.8

3.2  The Politeness Principle8

3.3  Euphemism9

3.3.1 Definition and Form of Euphemism10

3.3.2 Relationship between Euphemism and the Politeness Principle.12

Chapter Four  Analysis of Euphemism in Vanity Fair.14

4.1  Introduction.14

4.2  Euphemism in Tact Maxim.14

4.3  Euphemism in Generosity Maxim15

4.4  Euphemism in Approbation Maxim16

4.5  Euphemism in Modesty Maxim18

4.6  Euphemism in Agreement Maxim.19

4.7  Euphemism in Sympathy Maxim20

Chapter Five  Conclusion22

Bibliography

Acknowledgements