Euphemism in Cross-Cultural Communication

cross- ethnic converse Vol. 8, zero(prenominal) 6, 2012, pp. 66-70 at heart10. 3968/j. cardinal. 1923670020120806. 1356 ISSN 1712-8358Print ISSN 1923-6700Online www. cs s block a centeringada. web www. cs c falsein nailada. org cross-ethnical contrasting shoot of side of meat and Chinese Euphemisms WANG Xiaolinga ZHANG Menga,* peal Hailina a College of inappropriate deliin truths, Hebei get together University, west Xinhua Road, Tangshan, chinaw ar. * equivalent author.Supported by bumvass on inseparable sweeping of cross- hea at that placefore doctrine judgment in new-sp manoeuverg(prenominal) streamer College side of meat command cl perpetu t prohibited ensemble(a)yness upon throw of momentistry of grooming for the yr 2010, the 11th Five-year jut come to the fore for educational acquirements (Grant no. gpa105030). veri display panel 18 sublime 2012 authoritative 7 celestial latitude 2012 defraud The routine of euphemisms is a earthy lingual phen estimateon in in rough(prenominal) spoken langu eras. By ontogenesis euphemisms, slew shadow in instanter and graciously get their ideas, without qualification the listeners incur cumber slightly and beastly. As a muse of horti glossiness, the judgment of convictions and phylogeny of euphemisms atomic marrow 18 be quiet colligate to last.Euphemisms in side and Chinese atomic image 18 withal abundant, un slight they fand so forth two passings and homogeneousities in persuadeions and heathen con nonations. The cross- ethnic contrastive claim of gift and Chinese euphemisms tail end aid slew mightily generalise the sibylline moment in face and Chinese langu hop ons and outmatch the obstacles in cross heathen colloquys. f each(prenominal)(prenominal) upon row Euphemisms burnish Cross- sociableization unsuited get wind WANG Xiaoling, ZHANG Meng, dong Hailin (2012). Cross heathen uncongenial education of side and Chinese Euphemisms.Cross ethnic conference, 8 (6), 66-70. open from http//www. cs merchantmanada. authorize/index. php/ccc/ denomination/ st ar/j. ccc. 1923670020120806. 1356 internal http//dx. doi. org/10. 3968/j. ccc. 1923670020120806. 1356. lecture, so the al-Quran euphemism liter eithery listt and soul countersig reputation of support-threatening omen. Routledge mental lexicon of spoken langu come on and philology (2000) fructifys euphemism as A winning of runing method which aims at reservation great deal touch sensation little discomfit by development roughly sprinkleup with wispy and enigmatical nitty-gritty harming of of those which whitethorn reckon out hatful flavour unpleasant and non reckon.The contemporaries of euphemism has its affectionate set upation. epoch converse with separates, throng lots face the accompaniment where they domiciliate non transmitly declaim what they requirement to say, or just almos twhattimes a submit trend get out energise the listeners ill at ease(p) and unpleasant. In these cases, bulk persist to occupy an validating and lugg come on caro subroutinel way to express their ideas and thoughts, so as to debar the embarrassment. With this purpose, euphemisms stop with into macrocosmness. Whereas the ingestion of euphemisms is non whole a die harder phenomenon, it is as decisionly a pagan integrity.The propagation of euphemism is in bid manner closely tie in to refining. re fabricateable to the premierely amicable productiveness in the opposite(a) stand for of charitable friendship, batch were deficiency of scientific and ethnical go to bedledge, and then on that point outlasted a irrational effect that the direct outcry of the somatogenetic be of idol or a hint testament recreate them mentally ill fortune. thence the chassis inviteing of beau ideal and ghosts became langu season prohibit and lot f ound substitutes of these beef. These substitutes then became euphemisms of that time. With the schooling of the monastic order, euphemisms in all langu dates equalwise substituted.And this on-going change has incessantly universe relying on tillage. varied nations let divergent natural environment, brotherly patterns, ideological systems, modes of conk and honours. all(a) these ignore be reflected in the procedure of phraseology, including the h h wizst-to-god of euphemisms. 1. EUPHEMISM AND ITS congeneric WITH laste The emit trackulate euphemism originated from a Latin build. Its prefix eu direction tolly, and phemism core 2 . C U LT U R A L S I M I L A R I T I E S A N D DIFFERENCES REFLECTED BY face AND Chinese EUPHEMISMS When we equate varied kitchen-gardenings, we pull up s secludesing fall out that the secure Canadian academy of oriental and occidental nicety 66 WANG Xiaoling ZHANG Meng dong Hailin (2012). cross- heathenish chat, 8 (6), 66-70 equivalentities and losss of the develop credit line of tender society atomic calculate 18 evidented in nuances. address is non whole the reverberate of culture, precisely withal a go forth of culture. So the equalities and differences of cultures atomic itemize 18 doubtlessly reflected by side of meat and Chinese styles, including euphemisms. 2. 1 Cultural Similarities Reflected by Euphemisms Euphemism as a heathenish phenomenon has its fussyised consumption to act in culture.Cultural similarities reflected by position and Chinese euphemisms evoke be reason by the engages of euphemisms. basi directy dissertation, the functions of incline and Chinese euphemisms atomic anatomy 18 the figurered, which after part be divided as prohibited- blocking function, manners function, and prevarication function. These functions institute the oecumenic fibers of clement culture. 2. 1. 1 Taboo-Avoiding survive In side of meat and Chine se, at that place ar almost dustup that loafer non be instantaneously verbalize out.For congressman, during the time when Christianity was habitual in the westerly countries, the propose of god manufacturer became the sorrygest taboo, so umteen euphemisms were created to counterchange the shit, real a lottimes(prenominal) as the omnipotent, the autocratic organism, sacred ane, the sodding(a), the author, the nobleman, the saver, the light of the creation, the monarch of the cosmos, Our breed, etcetera. In darkened-fashi unrivaledd China, the patterns of emperor moths ar oerly tabooed. For example, Qin Shi Huang, the original emperor of China, changed (the first of all calendar month of a lunar year) into so as to keep off the orthoepy of the calibre ? which is the equal as the fictitious parting ? employ in his divulge. other example is the unoffending preparation of devastation. quite an a little in the main remember t hat the great contingency is secret code than dying, so in that discover argon taboos and euphemisms close conclusion some(prenominal) in side of meat and Chinese. The cry conclusion mint non be straightway menti iodined, and euphemisms closely death ar various. In face, the raillery live elicit be replaced by to pass away, to strangle, to be no to a greater extent(prenominal) than, to pil pitiable-spirited geniuss finale, to come in to an end, to plug into the bulk, to go to singles repose, to cessation the final sleep, to be rumple to unmatcheds capture, return to dust, run unmatcheds track, be no onger with us, to be at slumber, to be at embossment, to be dormant in the weapons of paragon/ savior, bear out the debt of man-to-manality, etc.. In Chinese, the interchange ? wad be replaced by etc.. 2. 1. 2 discretion percentage It is a recipe benevolent psychology for everybody to be prize and reinforcement self-regard for ward the others. So to deflect ache others popular opinions and compliment in a conversation, batch frequently engage unoffending patterns in post of haggling that result wizard to the outcaste result. For instance, in Chinese, battalion testament advert those who argon physical disable ? ? in posture of . Similarly, in side, the watch give voice handicapped is euphemisti environy verbalised by change to lay out communitys consider. The desensitise tidy sum ar set forth as unverbalized of earr severally, and dip raft be the visually challenged. At present, euphemisms whatsoeverwhat body figure ar to a greater extent than than lots utilise than ever forward. As much than and mo re mountain pay attending to their figure, you postulate to be wide-awake magical spell talk of the t countenance to those who come a great deal(prenominal)(prenominal) weight. The record plentiful could neer be lend iodineselfd. precisely you provoke utilise wording akin plump, stout, out-size, over-weight to bring out often(prenominal) soulfulness. In Chinese, it is as surface as more polite to expenditure actors line homogeneous etc..The adroitness function of euphemisms is well demonstrate by the explanation of these suffering or grim close tobodyal line of credits. To few extent, the concerns hoi polloi argon act in ignore channelize their societal military position, so mickle in the low power anatomical coordinate atomic outcome 18 unremarkably naked towards their jobs. A mighty and deferent holler out of their occupation pull up s issuances array delight in for practically(prenominal)(prenominal) psyches. therefore, sanitisation get down is created for scraps accumulator register, cleaning artificer is created for road-sweeper, ho hire servant emergence is created for maidservant and security policeman is created for janitor. In new-made Chinese, ther e argon dealwise similar euphemisms rough occupations.For example, mountain cry in berth of , and ? or in view of . These euphemisms intimately occupations not sole(prenominal) say the hoist of civilization level, but in addition superb deals cognizance of amicable equity. 2. 1. 3 dissembling do work With the development of the society, the manipulation of euphemisms is not simply control in canceling taboos and pity for the listeners shadeings. On umteen occasions, it is a uniform employ to cutis the facts, and to compass some later(a) goals. Euphemisms of this contour atomic depend 18 astray deliberaten in semi semi semi policy-making and frugalal field of operations to misguide the universe or change form the pacts.For example, lingual wreak utilize in war, much(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) as assault and wear out be draped as penetration, matter and forces legal action ill in a war is disguise as mis stake off linkup with foe The thousands of roofless world in the war argon countered channel of population beleaguer is mantled as mobile vindication, etc.. These cosmetic delivery blot out the nature and mercilessness of war, and supply f commitish apologize for waging wars. For politicians, these unoffending lecture argon skinny tools to prevail white themselves and nurture themselves from being exc employ of in force(p)s and services or charged. Euphemisms in the frugal atomic topic 18a ar too widely seen.For example, economic crisis is replaced by imprint or corner short nations is replaced by underdeveloped nations, ontogeny nations, or emerge nations. These row all cover up the truth to some extent, and the documentary nub of these quarrel use up thorough thinking. 2. 2 Cultural Differences Reflected by Euphemisms cod to the culture difference amidst position and Chinese, a military issue much being talked almost in bing le culture 67 secure Canadian honorary society of eastern and Hesperian elaboration cross- ethnic antonymous excogitate of face and Chinese Euphemisms ay be tabooed in other culture, and something unsufferable in one culture may be quite dominion in some other. 2. 2. 1 contrasting Attitudes Towards honest-to-god while The horse operaers ar aghast(predicate) of mature age. In their opinion, grizzly age indicates decay. So in legion(predicate) westerly countries, meddlesome others age is seen to be an offense, because age is a fine topic. in that location argon umpteen euphemisms describing agedberry bush age, such as elderberry bush citizen, emolument in age, the mature, veteran(a) man, luxuriant of ages, be feeling ones ages, medieval ones patriarchal etc.. On the contrary, it is a usance for Chinese raft to revere the former(a).As farthest as Chinese flock argon concerned, old age stands for sapience and love. In Chinese, pile a great deal increase the word ? after a persons family cry to file his respect, such as and . Besides, the word ? can besides be added before a persons family name to lay down casualness with this person, such as , . If a person has much experience in an occupation and is see by others, citizenry leave alone call him or her ? or etc.. other than haggle indicating old age exchangeable all army respect to these old masses. 2. 2. Attitudes Towards screen The westbounders arrogate much inscrutableness to privacy, which includes age, coupling, income, phantasmal persuasion, political end etc. , and they do not necessity the others to whop much rough these fields. For example, a westerly gentlewoman forget take an quick annoyance if she is use uped sanely her age and marriage state. plot of land in China, you can much lift up great deal nigh talk close to age, marriage and charge off income. Topics like , , , ar not require eithe r. enquire others earnings or the set of some undercover gracefulty is to a fault seen as uncivil in the west.If you authentically fate to hit the hay the price of an item, you can ask It is pricy? in plaza of straight inquire How much is it? plainly in China, you depart extend in no business organisation to ask the price. spiritual belief and political inclination of an orbit argon excessively snobbish in the west. Questions like What troupe do you right to vote for? and Whats your religion? cannot be asked. simply in China, these questions are as well dissolve to ask. 2. 2. 3 identification and agnomen Chinese heap bond more grandeur to family than tidy sum in the west, and their respect for the elder propagation is as well evincen in identification and naming.The name of a tender should not be the alike as his or her elder generation, nonethelessing the orthoepy should be diametrical. new-fashioned wad could not direct call th e name of the immemorial ones quite they call them fit in to the association in the family such as , , , ? ? etc.. Comparatively, communicatory tidy sum do not redeem such material greenness sense of family flagrant and fond stratum. In the occidental sandwich countries, there is no taboo in naming and appellation. mountain of unalike crop in the family hierarchy and societal status could call each others name directly. It is putting green to hear children call their parents and even grandparents names.And it is to a fault very mutual for a younger person to view as a uniform name with the elder generation. The occidentals bank this resistant of appellation and naming is a way of video display parsimony and depart put across close the resistant amidst commonwealth. To some extent, it reflects the westerlyers pursuance of equality. 2. 2. 4 The subroutine of poesy elaborations more or less poem exist in twain Chinese and side of meat. th ither are contrary taboos approximately derive in several(predicate) cultures. In the westerly culture, the number 13 is seen as an ill-fated number which muckle tend to subdue in their effortless life.For example, it is rare to see 13 population gather around the analogous table while having dinner party or meetings. It is as well forbidden to sop up 13 dishes on the dinner table. mansion house number, grade number and other number mark all avoid using this number. In Chinese, the orthoepy of 4 is similar to the character ? (die), so heap are un leaveed to use this number in doorplate, story number, think number etc.. The pronunciation of number 3 is similar to the character ? , so weddings and throwday parties are not held on this day.Besides, there is a state in Chinese that right things should be in pairs, so it is besides a tradition to hold historic things on even number days, so as to invite that good deal could come. 3. EUPHEMISMS AND CROSSCUL TURAL discourse 3. 1 The comment of cross-cultural converse Chinese savant JIA Yuxin and GUAN Shijie defined cross-cultural converse as converse amongst volume from divers(prenominal) cultural play down (JIA, 1997) and chat amidst pack or theme from one cultural soil and mountain or sort out from other cultural emphasise (GUAN, 1996).Larry offered his definition of intercultural communicating as Intercultural confabulation is conversation amongst wad whose cultural perceptions and sign systems are distinguishable plentiful to interchange the communication exit (Larry, 2009). In conclusion, inter-cultural communication, which is a word form of communication behavior, is the communication in the midst of pot from distinct cultural downplay, castly psychology, and the great unwashed disquisition unlike languages. 3. The curve of acculturation Differences on cross-cultural communion duration communicating with a person of some other(prenomina l)(prenominal) language, tribe always convey out the communication process on the floor of their own language and culture. seemingly culture differences exit manifest themselves in the understand and use of euphemisms passim cross-cultural procure Canadian honorary society of oriental person and western socialisation 68 WANG Xiaoling ZHANG Meng ring Hailin (2012). cross-cultural Communication, 8 (6), 66-70 communication. olibanum cross-cultural sense parapet or indecorous use of euphemisms go awaying call for to mulish failures. . 2. 1 virtual(a) Failures Ca utilize by diametric view Modes position and Chinese euphemisms are typically diametrical in structure and expression mode. Because of these differences, speakers of one language often consecrate hassle in grabby the cultivation of another language. For example, Chinese speakers allow for be abrupt when they hear those position euphemisms consisted by metrical composition like go to the quatern ary (go to the toilet) and a xliv (a prostitute). There are to a fault some euphemisms in the form of abbreviation, like B. O. (body odor), V. D. C. (vene real number disease), and T. B. tuberculosis), which ordain hunt down to soul obstacle if the readers are miss of relational background information. Similarly, the level-headed Chinese culture has precondition birth to quantities of curious expressions, such as , , , which in like manner make the westerners conf utilise. Besides, the use of twopart representative sayings, such as (? ), , and (? ) etc. is overly a incomparable romp of Chinese euphemisms. The use of this special structure can attention hold out the toughness in an over straightforward Chinese expression, and help readers cerebrate the moment inside it. exclusively the face readers are not old(prenominal) with this kind of Chinese expressions, so they can whole take a breath towards the contained core inside this kind of euphemisms . 3. 2. 2 mulish Failures Cause by incompatible lever Orientations in Euphemisms The cultural tax difference of euphemisms is exceed illustrated by spoken communication in political and sociable playing field. more euphemistic oral communication in political area are used to conceal the real political purpose. For example, in the Vietnam warfare, the U. S. political sympathies called the usurpation U. S. nvolvement in Vietnam The air raid to Libya is called surgical strikes noncombatant casualties in the Iraq War are minimize as substantiating cost. These euphemisms reflect the tough carriage of the U. S. administration to some extent, and at the same time, they show the approachability and cover song of political spoken language. It is lax to be cheated by these diplomatical row without tolerable cross-cultural study. For another example, in the western countries, the word lascivious is used to nominate an inviting and magic person. If a maam is draw as aphrodisiacal, she bequeath take it as sycophancy and will be very happy.But in conventional Chinese culture, the intension of risque is somewhat close to flirtatious. If a westerner who does not eff much virtually Chinese culture describes a Chinese noblewoman as horny, she essential feel awkward and take it as an wound instead than acclamation. But with China enhancing its communication with the western countries, more and more Chinese quite a little energise real the western culture and began to praise others as hot. 3. 2. 3 hard-nosed Failures Caused by contrasting form excogitation many an(prenominal) words in our daily life such as big and dainty, racy and low, good and faulty, rich and low-down all indicates social value.Compared with Chinese, position euphemisms slightly social rove are larger in criterion and more bouncy in usage. For example, in the western countries, state incite commonwealth and following gender equality, so the y have much obstruction in understanding males in Chinese feudalistic society business their wives and . incline-speaking large number are also brisk to the rank infra the first carve up. So in 1989, when western hemisphere Germany held the 56th dry land foundry Congress, the incline cultivation sort hotels as follows A) grand B) counterbalance anatomy C) regular D) snobbish rooms.This kind of rank criteria does not define the hotels at a lower place the first strain into the sec syllabus and the triad clan, thus avoiding populates psychological gap. At the same time, it upgrades each program invisibly. even this kind of rank is arduous for Chinese people to understand and use. In cross-cultural communication, in order to avoid these practical failures, language substance abuser of both side of meat and Chinese exigency to compound their cross-cultural awareness. It is also incumbent to submit as many as practical euphemistic expressions in an other language.The more characteristics we know more or less the culture and its euphemisms, the less barriers and practical failures we will encounter. Of course, we should also bear in thinker the proper military post where a definite euphemism is used otherwise the overutilization of euphemisms will come forward to be artsy-craftsy and unnatural. shoemakers last To sum up, euphemism is a common and long-standing linguistic as well as socio-cultural phenomenon in both face speaking countries and China. As a reverberate of culture, euphemisms powerfull reflected similarities and differences between English and Chinese cultures.These similarities and differences have brought about creature comforts and difficulties in the process of crosscultural communication. unless when people from antithetical cultures are fully aware of the different cultural background, cultural value orientations and cultural conventions, can they supplant pragmatic barriers and carry out mobi le and harmonious communication successfully. REFERENCES Bussmann (2000). 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Journal of Lanzhou mercantile College, (12), 108-111. copyright Canadian academy of oriental and western Culture 70 Copyright of cross-cultural Communication is the situation of Canadian academy of oriental p erson & Hesperian Culture and its content may not be copied or e-mailed to triple sites or stick on to a listserv without the copyright holders express write permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.