Abstract: Euphemism is a common phenomenon in language development, which exists in various areas and plays an important role in communication. People generally use simple language expression so that communication can be carried on effectively. However, in real interpersonal communication, language vagueness, especially euphemism with vagueness is so common that it does not affect fluency of communication, but achieve an unexpected result. Euphemism, as a proper expression, achieves both rhetoric effect and particular language effect in communication. In this paper, the author analyzes the use of euphemism from the perspective of vagueness and concludes communicative functions through studying application of euphemism in different communicative contexts, generalizing to different kinds of fields.

Key words: vagueness; euphemism; communicative function

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Previous Studies on Euphemism-1

1.2 Previous Studies on Language Vagueness-2

1.3 Relation Between Euphemism and Language Vagueness-2

1.4 Deficiencies of Previous Studies-3

2. The Significance of Using Euphemism in Communication-4

2.1 Classfication of Euphemism in Communication-4

2.2 Principles of Using Euphemism-6

2.3 Significance of Using Vagueness in Communication-9

3. Communicative Functions of Euphemism-12

3.1 Evasive Function-12

3.2 Politeness Function-13

3.3 Cosmetic Function-14

3.4 Humor Function-15

3.5 Persuasive Function-17

3.6 Self-protective Function-17

4. Conclusion-18

References-20