Contents

Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………...i Abstract…………. ……………………………….……………………………….... ii 摘要….……………………………………………………………………………….iii Chapter One Introduction…………………………………………………………..1

1.1 Background……………………………………………………………1 1.2 Research rationale and objective……………………………………....1

Chapter Two Literature review……………………………………………………..3 2.1 Studies on Euphemism…………………………………………………3 2.2 Studies on Euphemism in Journalism English…………………………3 Chapter Three Introduction to Euphemism……………………………………….4 3.1 Origin of Euphemism…………………………………………………..4 3.2 Definition of Euphemism………………………………………............4

3.3 Function of Euphemism in English…………………………………….5

3.3.1 Function of Politeness…………………………………................5 3.3.2 Function of Concealment………………………………………...6 3.3.3 Function of Humor……………………………………………….7 3.3.4 Function of Taboo……………………………………………......8 Chapter Four Euphemism in Journalism English………………………………..10 4.1 Use of Euphemism in Journalism English…………………………….10 4.2 Classification of Euphemism in Journalism English…………………..10

4.2.1 Altruism………………………………………………………….10 4.2.2 Encompassing Euphemism……………………………………...11

4.2.3 Self-interest……………………………………………………...12

4.3 Reasons for Euphemism in Journalism English……………………….14

4.3.1Religious Faith…………………………………………………...14 4.3.2 Social Psychology……………………………………………….15 4.3.3 Behavioral Criterion……………………………………………..16 4.3.4Political Life……………………………………………………...17 4.3.5 Commercial Activity…………………………………………….18 Chapter Five Conclusion…………………………………………………………...19 Bibliography………………………………………………………………………...20

Chapter One Introduction

1.1 Background

With the development and prosperity of Chinese economy and culture, the contact of China with the outside word becomes more and more frequent. The most popular ways in which modern English is expressed include the so-called mass media such as newspapers, magazines, TV and network besides literature. To have a good command of modern English, it is not enough to learn from textbooks or read some famous English novels. Since 1970s, the modern English has experienced great changes, especially, for American English. Euphemism has become fashionable again. This phenomenon is extremely obvious in journalism English. Euphemism is a common phenomenon in journalism. The employment of euphemism in journalism English always brings special effects to journalistic languages. In recent 10 years, scholars have much enthusiasm to study euphemism in journalism English, but they seldom concern themselves on the reason why euphemisms come into being in journalism English.

1.2 Research rationale and objective

Euphemism was used a lot in journalism English in order to show the journalist intention nicely as well as to help the readers to overcome certain psychological barrier and eliminate some unhappy association. The main principals of news language are authentic, accurate and prompt; however, euphemism takes roundabout as its characteristics which show the function of beautification, smoothness and inflexion and so on. In journalism English, euphemism transfers the intention of journalists as well as its social meaning and cultural connotation.

Lots of journalism English is involved in our reading materials. As an English learner, we must know the use of euphemism in journalism English, and then we can comprehend the intention of journalism to improve our ability of comprehension and the speed of reading.

Since 1970s, euphemism has been a common phenomenon in journalism, which

- 1 -

always brings special effects to journalistic language. More and more scholars have had high spirits to study euphemism in journalism English, but they seldom gave the reason why euphemism emerged in journalism English. This paper will discuss the function and classification of euphemism in journalism English, then set forth the social meaning and connotation, at last give some reasons of euphemism emerging in journalism English.

- 2 -

Chapter Two Literature review

Since it is important to understand euphemism in our reading, many scholars have been doing research of the euphemism, especially the euphemism in journalism English.

2.1 Studies on Euphemism

In 1981, the British linguist Hugh Rawson published A Dictionary of Euphemism and Other Double – talk, which sums up the dictionary of British and American linguists in the aspect of euphemism, domestic scholars give it high marks. In 1983, the American scholars, Neaman and Sliver published a dictionary Kind Words - A Treasure of Euphemisms, which describes in detail the euphemism of the origin, history, development and change. In 1985, DJ Enright published a Proceeding book Fair of Speech, the Use of Euphemism, which collected many euphemisms in papers for future research. In 1991, Allen and Burridge published the book Euphemism and Dysphemism, from the pragmatic point of view, which research English euphemism, and it is very useful, but most euphemism researchers refer to one of the writings. 2.2 Studies on Euphemism in Journalism English

Dr. Mustafa. Shazali. Mustafa published The Interpretation of Implicature: A Comparative: Study Between Implicature in Linguistics and Journalism in the Journal of Language Teaching and Research.(Vol.1, pp.35-43), he introduced the origin, definition and function of the journalism English. Bill Brohaugh issued his article Cantankerous Commentary on What We Speak And Why We Speak It( at 12:12am 01.16.09), he introduces the social function and connotation of euphemism. In the Euphemism in the Journalism English, Tan Menglin expounded the definition and classification of euphemism. Guo Liang and Gong Yi set forth the pragmatic functions of euphemism in their paper On Pragmatic of Euphemism in Journalistic English.

- 3 -