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Language, as the carrier of culture and human civilization, is a social phenomenon and a communication tool which conveys thoughts and information. Euphemism is a common language phenomenon, a social phenomenon and a cultural phenomenon. “A euphemism is used as an alternative to a dispreferred expression, in order to avoid possible loss of face: either one’s own face or through giving offence, that of the audience, or of some third party.” (Allan and Burridge 1991:11) Respect and politeness play an important role in social occasions. Euphemism provides a reserved, appropriate and elegant way to talk about unpleasant and dreadful things, such as death. There are large amounts of euphemisms both in Chinese and English. They reflect similarities and differences between the two languages. Different kinds of euphemisms are used in different occasions. Among them, death euphemism is symbolic. Death euphemisms originate mainly in religious belief, social estate and concepts of value. Among the three origins, religious belief makes an important impact on death euphemisms of different languages. This thesis intends to make a comparative study of Chinese and English death euphemisms in religion and explore the similarities and the differences between Chinese and English. It will not only help people to get a better understanding on euphemistic words of death, but also play a positive role in understanding similarities and differences between Chinese and English.源'自:751]'论-文'网"]www.751com.cn
This thesis is composed of seven parts. The first part is the introduction part which tells the purpose of the thesis. The second part discusses the previous researches of scholars and their findings. The third part focuses on definition of death euphemism and the origins of death euphemisms. The fourth part exemplifies death euphemisms in Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity. The fifth part dwells on the similarities of Chinese and English euphemisms in religion. The sixth part dwells on the differences between Chinese and English euphemisms in religion. The seventh part is the conclusion part.
2. Literature Review
In 1981, British linguist Hugh Rawson compiled the dictionary A Dictionary of Euphemism and Other Double-talk. In this dictionary, the English linguist summarizes the achievements in the study of euphemism. The domestic scholar Shu Dingfang gives a high evaluation of this book. In 1983, American scholars Neaman and Silver published the dictionary Kind Words - A Treasure of Euphemisms, which describes in detail the origin, history, development and change of euphemism. In 1991, Allan and Burridge published the book Euphemism and Dysphemism, which is useful to scholars who study English euphemism from the pragmatic point of view, and is regarded as one of the most frequently quoted reference works for domestic researchers. There are also many domestic studies on death euphemism and its relation to culture, but few studies focus on similarities and differences between Chinese and English death euphemisms in religion.