摘 要

语言和文化是一种辩证的关系，每种语言都是其文化的一部分，语言既服务于文化又反映着文化的需要。委婉语与禁忌语是人们使用语言的重要形式，在人际交往中起着重要的作用。委婉语与禁忌语随着文明的发展，沉淀了丰富的文化内涵。语言是社会发展的产物，同时也就反映了社会生活，随着历史的进步的发展，语言也发生了很多的变化。由于宗教、迷信、礼仪以及科技不发达的原因，某些语言就被禁止使用，同是也就出现了用另外的语言来替代这种语言的现象，于是就出现了委婉语与禁忌语。在不同的民族和文化中都存在着委婉语与禁忌语，如果我们掌握了他们，就能够在日常生活特别是在跨文化交际中，提高我们的交际能力。本文通过介绍委婉语与禁忌语的定义、形成方式、各自的在不同文化中的特点、以及委婉语与禁忌语在中西方文化上的宗教、等级观念、礼仪等方面的具体比较来更好的分析委婉语与禁忌语， 便于了解不同的文化，这样就能更好的掌握它们，并运用到实际当中，提高交际能力，避免不必要的误会。

关键词：委婉语，禁忌语，语言，文化，比较

Abstract

The relation between language and culture is dialectic. Every language is a part of its culture. Language does not only serve the culture, but also is a mirror for the culture. Language is the outcome of the social development, and it also reflects the society. With the development of the history, we have seen a lot of changes about language. Taboo and Euphemism are the important forms in our society. And they also play an important role in interpersonal interaction. With the development of the civilization, Taboo and Euphemism have also affected and enriched the culture. Because of the backwardness of religions, superstitions, etiquettes, and technologies, a part of the language is not allowed to use, in the same time, some other words came up and replaced these words which are not allowed to be used. Then, Taboo and Euphemism are created in our daily life.

Key words: Taboo，Euphemism，language, culture, comparison  

1 Introduction

Language, as a tool of communication, through the crucial role that language plays in the organization of social group, has a strong connection with culture and society. Taboo and Euphemism, being part of the language, have a long history in Chinese and English. However, their creation has their unique reasons, and their usage, scope of application are also different.