摘　要

如今，委婉语不仅是一种较为普遍的语言现象，更是一种文化现象。在多数情况下，委婉语能够掩饰一些令人尴尬、惹人不快，或者令人恐惧的事物。委婉语以其独有“婉转曲折”的特色在现代汉、英语言中广泛使用。由于委婉语具有可以避免使用禁忌语和尴尬，维护交际者的面子等特点，也广泛应用于人们日常交往中。所以它在人们具有语言能力和交往能力中起着不可替代的作用。在中国和西方国家，文化模式、宗教信仰、社会风俗和生活方式等方面不尽相同，存在于其中的文化、语言差异也反映在委婉语中。随着当今世界跨文化交际日益频繁，委婉语的翻译也变得越来越重要。作为一种社会语言现象很早就引起了国内外学着的关注。本文在相关理论的基础上，以中西方文化差异为切入点，对英汉委婉语的比较和翻译进行研究。文章由五个部分构成。第一章简单介绍了委婉语，包括其定义和背景。第二章阐述了委婉语的合作原则、礼貌原则和面子理论。并通过对比概括了英汉委婉语的三种语用功能：回避、美化和掩饰。第三章，从语言、文化两个方便探讨了中西文化差异，并列举一系列例子。第四章，也是本文的重中之重，通过前文对英汉委婉语比较的基础上，提出了影响委婉语翻译的多个因素以及策略。最后一章对全文作为总结，强调了英汉委婉语的重要性，并且随着广泛应用而蓬勃发展。

关键词：委婉语；原则；文化差异；翻译

Abstract

Nowadays, euphemism is not only a common linguistic, but also a cultural phenomenon. In most cases, euphemism can cover some disgusting, unpleasant, embarrassing and terrifying realities and create a harmonious atmosphere for the communicators. Euphemism, because it can save the face of parties involved in communication and avoid hurting others or embarrassment, is widely adopted both by English and Chinese people. Therefore, it plays an important role in people’s communicative and linguistic ability. In China and western countries, cultural patterns, social customs, different religious and life-styles will inevitably be reflected in euphemism. With the development of intercultural communication and cultural exchanges, the translation of euphemism becomes more and more important. Systematical contrastive studies between English and Chinese euphemisms have been found inadequate. Based on the previous studies, the thesis takes the translation of euphemism as the primary concern. This thesis is composed of five chapters including an introduction and a conclusion. Chapter one presents a view of euphemism, including it’s significance and background. In chapter two, I will introduce the principles of euphemism: the cooperative principles, the politeness principles and act theory are three main principles which guide people’s communication. And analyzed further in the paper are the different pragmatic functions of euphemisms both in English and Chinese, which are generalized into three common types: a) evasive; b) upgrading; c) cosmetic. After that, chapter four, a detailed comparison of English and Chinese euphemism with regard to linguistic and cultures with a great number of examples. At last, on the basis of former discussions and in light of the factors in the translation of euphemisms, two strategies are proposed. The last chapter concludes the comparison of English and Chinese euphemisms and their translation. The findings can provide us knowledge helpful for the better understanding and use of euphemisms.

Key words: euphemism; principle; cultural differences; translation