Chapter Three Introduction to Euphemism

We should have a better understanding of the common euphemism; then we can look into the euphemism in journalism English. 3.1 Origin of Euphemism

Euphemism is a linguistic phenomenon, from the taboo. In many societies, because of cultural, religious, political, customs and other reasons, people should avoid many things and can not engage in many behaviors, which formed social taboo. It is usually said by people. In the course of people's daily interactions, because their name could not be mentioned, it gradually developed into a language of taboo. However, for various reasons, people also can not completely avoid them. At this time, people had to express in other languages instead of them indirectly. This alternative language means euphemism. In the ancient Greek, Prefix ―eu‖ means good, well or sounding well; root ―phemism‖ views speech, the literal meaning of \men\euphemism for \which sounds harsh. As a linguistic phenomenon, Euphemism is from the social taboo.‖

3.2 Definition of Euphemism

The word ―euphemism‖ comes from the Greek, eu--means ―good‖, and –pheme-, ―speech‖ or ―saying‖, and together it means literally ―to speak with good words or in a pleasant manner‖. Euphemism, as a cultural phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept, has attracted people’s attention for a long time. It has long been a topic of much interest. Generally speaking, people would use more euphemisms in communicating with the opposite sex; women would use more than men would; older people would use more than younger generations. People would more use euphemisms in \would use more euphemisms. The above factors: age, sex, social status, education, etc. do not work separately. In communicating, they are interlaced with each other and

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guide our choice of euphemisms. Whether to use euphemisms or taboo words also depends, to a large extent, on the attitudes of participants and the purpose of conversations. Newspaper euphemism used in English can be divided into two categories: Used in the news related with the life of the traditional euphemism, euphemism called Language (traditional euphemisms). Traditional euphemism often used to avoid old age, sickness, death, sex, nude, drawing, Caesar and other taboo things, such as (Death) mean pass away, ―euphemism‖ comes from the Greek and is being gradually accepted by the people all over the world.

3.3 Function of Euphemism in English

Euphemism is common phenomenon in the process of using human language; people are talking about unpleasant or embarrassing things and they use polite phrase. Euphemism should not be used to express a person or thing in direct communication. In the process of language communication, it is sometimes necessary to taboo what people say (or write) some words, which are taboo words. However, in some cases, in speech delivery, some taboo words have to be said; can not be avoided, so rather indirect way of expression, euphemism came into being. In the information age, Reading English newspapers is one of the main channel to access information. Therefore, to acquire new characteristics of English news language, reading newspapers acquires more and more American attention. There involves very extensive use of euphemism in English news , but they all reflect various degrees of speech and behavior guidelines, and most people’s patterns and values, and morality, which have been recognized in today's American society .Next English Euphemism functions in the news will be talked about. 3.3.1 Function of Politeness

Euphemism is a frequent use of language strategy in the process of disseminating information. In the news report, there often exist \take into account the reported person's face; euphemism language has become a strategy which is often used, such as: Nixon's proposals have been hailed as sound if not original. But this appraisal of his own stewardship sometimes seems more

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generous than candid. The generous in the sentence means \大方的,慷慨的\with here refers to the president, not modesty. In addition, the euphemism in news Language is also reflected in a large number of professional reputations. Any kinds of work, which are reported in the media, become a profession. There are many professional English euphemisms. The main purpose of using professional euphemism is to be in the traditional sense of the \level industry \of.\There are variety of euphemisms’ professional manner, one of which is artificially pushed in higher occupational status. For example: the waiter or waitress in the restaurants is called \attendants \the waiter was promoted to administrator status. Sometimes euphemisms are also used for some professional status which is not low occupation, it sounded more serious in some cases, more decent. Such as: the singer or dancer is known as the \worker‖ is called \employee (quarter Seasonal employees).‖Thus, understanding the language of euphemism art, it can help us to better grasp the meaning conveyed by the article in reading English newspapers in the text. 3.3.2 Function of Concealment

There is another reason for people using euphemism in communication is that euphemism is fuzzy, the use of euphemism often has a deceptive purpose, and it is like a beautiful and attractive coat which makes people suddenly see things in the inner essence. The ugly hidden in the beautiful and cover up truth, The usual approach is to use the fuzzy concept in the media of reporting war , which let people play down fear and loathing of the war , to cover the purpose of the war and not to arouse the public's antiwar sentiments. On the other hand, politicians use the euphemism to cover up the truth and not to disclose their ugly society Evil, or not to sue others. These euphemisms are: (1) is used to cover up the poverty, crime and other serious social problems such euphemism language. Such as: News in English commonly used ―industrial action‖ to represent ―strikes‖; with ―substandard housing‖ instead of ―slum‖ to protect the occupants and the government's self-esteem. Standard of living is lower than people below the poverty line, known as ―the underprivileged‖ or ―the disadvantaged‖ or ―the have nots‖ or ―the lower income group‖; poverty, debt-ridden

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people called ―negative saver‖; factory clearly is fired the workers, he was known as the ―lay off‖, ―give the walking ticket‖; ―economic crisis‖ is known as recession or depression . (2) Is used to cover up the real aggression of war. In 2003, Americans In the war against Iraq, in order to cover up its atrocities, So military exercises bombs, artillery shells, guided bombs caused civilian casualties is the collateral damage ,the U.S. military mistakenly hit British, is the friendly fire; clearly a use of force against Iraq, but shy away from these words, such as at war attack the words and so on, but with disarm Iraq, taken against Iraq aspre-emptive action; As British forces defeat on the battlefield in Iraq, it must be an adjustment of the front (3) Is used to cover up the scandal of political . Such as: the so-called \refers to the English euphemism used to replace scandal of the word suffix:-gate. After the Watergate in 1972, the term of Watergate was used to refer to any similar or larger political events, but not as the straight use the affair or scandal. Such as debate gate (debate on the scandal: 1980 Presidents Reagan and Carter were the last TV debate before the election, Reagan has a debate text on the Carter and Reagan to the text, Reagan thus significant in this debate between the upper hand), Korea gate (South Korea scandal: that a South Korean businessman to buy U.S. lawmakers shocked by the U.S. Congress Events), and Monica gate (Monica scandal: Monica Lewinsky and the President of the United States Clinton’s peach events), etc. 3.3.3 Function of Humor

These usages of euphemism in the news reports have a lot. This makes language fun, humor, and contain humor in the brutal facts, For example, in the 2nd Gulf War, the main ally of the United States, British can be described as unfortunate, aircraft, armored vehicles of U.S. forces have repeatedly been hit by the United States, but it is called as \British forces have lost on the battlefield in Iraq, it must be an adjustment of the front. The ladies want to lose weight for slim and exaggerated as a war, which humorously explained the determination and perseverance of the power. Another example: often used to describe ―drunk‖ as ―plastered‖, is a process term, originally coated with plaster. The humor of the euphemism is that it put similarity between the drunken

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