摘 要

摘要：英语委婉语广泛地存在于社会中，在语言学和文化中十分常见。它蕴含了很多文化元素，在英语中也有着至关重要的地位。人们在交流时常常避免使用严厉和令人不安的语言，以此来进行更好的交流。因此英语委婉语是一种在人类社会中普遍存在的语言现象，有其自身的社会功能。礼貌原则是语用学的重要理论之一，也是语言学的重要组成部分，它与委婉语紧密相连。本文基于礼貌原则，从四个方面阐述了英语委婉语的社会功能，包括其在人类日常交流中的常用功能、在对话表达中的积极功能、在掩饰事实时的欺骗功能和在抨击社会时的讽刺功能。在日常交际中，我们要熟知委婉语的社会功能，以此来缩短人与人之间的距离，营造和谐的社会关系。

关键词：英语委婉语；礼貌原则；社会功能
 
ABSTRACT   
   
English euphemism exists in every aspect of society. It is very common in linguistics and culture. Thus, it implies many cultural ingredients. English euphemism portrays a vital part in the English language. People are used to using less harsh and disturbing language when they communicate with each other so that they can do better in communication. Euphemism is a wide-spread language phenomenon at home and abroad. It has its own social functions. Politeness principle which is a significant theory of pragmatics is also a key component of linguistics. It is linked nearly to euphemism. This article classifies the social functions of euphemism from four different ways based on politeness principle, which include formal function in human’s daily chats, positive function in everyday expression, spurious function in revealing the truth and ironic function in denouncing the society. In daily life, we should be familiar with social functions of English euphemism to make the distance between people closer and establish a friendly social relationship.

Key words: English euphemism; politeness principle; social functions
 
Chapter One Introduction
    Language and culture are linked nearly in human society. “Language is not only a representative of culture but also an important part of culture. (Deng Yanchang, Liu Runqing, 1989) People use languages to communicate with each other in their daily life. Without the application of language, cultural exchange would not be possible. It seems that all the cultures have such notions that people should avoid stating taboos directly. So people choose to use another term or phrase to substitute them. This language phenomenon is known as euphemism. Language contains euphemism and euphemism, in turn is a component of language. It reflects a social spirit and it has own social functions. Moreover, as a key part of linguistics, politeness principle is linked to euphemism closely. Meanwhile, the origin and progress of euphemism are also vital.