Abstract：Based on the Cooperation Principle, this thesis takes the Sino-US business discourses as corpus to make a contrastive study on the euphemism used in the Sino-US business discourses. The study finds out that many similarities and differences exist in the use of euphemism by Sino-US businessmen in terms of diction, sentence structure and voice. The main reasons for these differences are the differences in culture, values, and social etiquette between China and the United States. This study can deepen people’s understanding of euphemism in business discourses and have positive effect on promoting the harmonious development of Sino-US business discourses.

Keywords: Sino-US business discourses  euphemism  comparison

中文摘要：本文基于合作原则，以中美商务谈判为语料，对中美商务谈判中双方使用的委婉语进行了对比研究。研究发现，在用语措辞、句式结构和语态三个方面，中美商务人员的委婉语使用情况有着诸多相同点和不同点。这些不同点的主要原因是中美两国在文化、价值观和社会礼仪等方面的差异。本研究能加深对商务谈判中委婉语的认识，对促进中美商务谈判和谐发展具有积极意义。

关键词：中美商务话语；委婉语；对比 

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Purposes of the Study-1

1.3 Significance of the Study-1

1.4 Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Definition of Euphemisms-3

2.2 Previous Studies on Euphemisms in Sino-US Business Discourses-3

Chapter Three Euphemisms in Sino-US Business Discourses-5

3.1 Corpus Collection-5

3.2 The Cooperative Principle-5

3.3 Differences of Euphemisms in Sino-US Business Discourses-5

3.3.1 Sentence Pattern-5

3.3.2 Voice-6

3.4 Similarities of Euphemisms in Sino-US Business Discourses-6

3.4.1 Diction-6

3.4.2 Sentence Pattern-7

3.4.3 Voice-7

3.5 Reasons for the Differences of Euphemisms in Sino-US Business Discourses-8

3.5.1 Differences in Thinking-8

3.5.2 Differences in Values-8

3.5.3 Differences in Social Etiquettes-9

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

4.1 Major Findings-11

4.2 Suggestions for Further Research-11

References-12