TabooandEuphemism禁忌语和委婉语教育课件.ppt

Click to edit Master title style,*,TabooandEuphemism禁忌语和委婉语PPT讲座,1.,Taboo,2.,Euphemism,3.How taboo and euphemism related and different,4.,Conclusion,Contents,1.Taboo,1.1 Definition of taboo,1.2 Etymology,of taboo,1.3 Evolution of taboo,1.4 Aspects taboo related,1.1 Definition of taboo,A taboo against a subject or activity is a social custom to avoid doing that activity or talking about that subject,because people find them embarrassing or offensive.,禁忌,(,Collins Cobuild),1.1 Definition of taboo,(Among some peoples)Sth.which religion or custom regards as forbidden,not to be touched,or spoken of.(,Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary,),1.1 Definition of taboo,Sigmund Freud pointed out in his classical work,Totem and Taboo,that taboo contained two opposite meanings:on one hand,it was lofty,sacred;on the other hand,it was mysterious,dangerous,prohibitive and unclean.,1.1 Definition of taboo,To conclude,:A taboo is a vehement(strong)prohibition of an action based on the belief that such behavior is either too sacred or too accursed for ordinary individuals to undertake,under threat of supernatural punishment.,1.2 Etymology of taboo,The term taboo is originated from Polynesian(in south Pacific)Tonga language.In 1777,Captain James Cook arrived in south Pacific Polynesian Tonga.In Tonga,he found a strange behavior in their daily life.There were many things forbidden to do,many foods forbidden to eat,and some words not allowed to say.The local language of Tonga called this phenomenon Taboo or Tabu.,1.2 Etymology of taboo,Then Cook borrowed the word into English.The word in English refers to acts that are forbidden or to be avoided.When an act is taboo,reference to this act may also become taboo.That is,first you are forbidden to do something,and then you are forbidden to talk about it.,1.3 Evolution,of taboo,As it is mentioned above,taboo is not only a linguistic phenomenon,but also a kind of social phenomenon.It is influenced by the development of society.,1.3 Evolution,of taboo,In the primitive society,people didnt get to know about nature.They were confused about the natural phenomenon,such as lightning,thunder,storm,earthquakes,etc.So they believed in the natural powers and became superstitious.They thought only in this way could they survive the hard environments,therefore,they must respect nature and mighty god when they use language.,1.3 Evolution,of taboo,In the Medieval period,many countries were divided into many groups of different social status according to innumerable religious rules.People couldnt do and get what they want to.It is the darkened age.People in that time should show respect for the decadent rules and religions.So there are many taboos during the period.,1.3 Evolution,of taboo,For instance,the religion listed the buttock,jaw,and forehead as the linguistic taboos.Many taboos are preserved as the form of the feudal code of ethics,for example,in order to show the royals authority and majesty,the name of the emperor and his ancestors should not be mentioned.,Taboos have turned into pure commandment without a shade of superstition.,3.Evolution,of taboo,In modern society,with the rapid development of science and technology,the scope of the concept of taboo has been widened.Most people are becoming more and more rational,and they never believe in or rely on the superstitions.Therefore the superstitious elements in linguistic taboos decrease and those reflecting spiritual civilization increase.,1.4 Aspects toboo related,1.4.1 Taboos on religion,1.4.2 Taboos on sex,1.4.3 Taboos on diseases or death,1.4.4 Taboos on age and weight,1.4.5 Taboos on numbers,1.4.1 Taboos on religion,God is replaced by Goodness,good gracious,Satan by the evil man,1.4.2 Taboos on sex,“Piss”,“fuck”,“tit”,“cock”monly,these words are called four-letter word.,1.4.3 Taboos on diseases or death,illI am not feeling well,cancerlong illness,diepass away,1.4.4 Taboos on age and weight,How much do you earn?”“You make a lot of money,dont you?”“How much did that pair of shoes cost you?”“How much do you weigh?”,2.Euphemism,2.1 Definition of euphemism,2.2 Etymology,2.3 Functions of English euphemism,2.1 Definition of euphemism,A euphemism is a polite word or expression that is used to refer to things that people may find upsetting or embarrassing to talk about,for example sex,the human body,or death.(,Collins Cobuild,),2.1 Definition of euphemism,Euphemism is the use of other mild,vague,and indirect words or phrases in place of what is required by truth or accuracy.(,Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary,),2.1 Definition of euphemism,To conclude:A euphemism is a generally innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant.,2.2 Etymology,of euphemism,The word euphemism comes from the,Greek,word (euphemia),meaning the use of words of good omen.In Greek,eu(good/well)+pheme(speech/speaking),means glory,flattering speech,praise.Etymologically,the term euphemism itself was used as a euphemism by the ancient Greeks,meaning to keep a holy silence(speaking well by not speaking at all).,2.3 Functions of English euphemism,2.3.1 The function of avoiding taboo,2.3.2 The function of being polite,2.3.3 The function of disguising,2.3.4 The function of being humorous and ironic,2.3.5 The function of being modest,2.3.1 The function of avoiding taboo,Some English euphemisms are associated with taboo.Taboo exists in every language.Euphemisms can be used as substitutes in order to avoid embarrassment,anxiety and public shame caused by taboo words.For example,God is replaced by Goodness,good gracious,Satan by the evil man,and die by pass away.,2.3.2 The function of being polite,In daily communication,politeness is regarded as an essential element that speakers must pay attention to.To be specific,native English speakers tend to use euphemisms in order to show their politeness.For example,give me the book is replaced by Would you please give me the book and handicapped by disabled people.,2.3.3 The function of disguising,Euphemism can be used to beautify things to avoid negative impact and it is not always used out of good motives.By using euphemism,ambiguity can be produced and truth can be hidden.As a consequence,some profiteers and politicians are likely to use euphemism to make it a language of deceit.For example,in 1983,American arms invaded Grenada.The American President Reagan fit to be tied because news reporters used the words invade very much in reporting the news.On the other hand,Reagan called it rescue mission.,2.3.4 The function of being humorous and ironic,Compared with the former three functions,the forth one seems less important.But it cant be denied that some English euphemisms can surely make language more vivid and humorous.Here is a typical instance:when someone is naked we often say he is in birthday suit instead.,2.3.5 The function of being modest,In communication,speaker can use some expressions to uplift the hearers status or lower the speakers own status.These expressions are called anti-euphemisms.Anti-euphemism is not to call a spade a spade,but to beat around bushes,therefore,it belongs to euphemism.For example,your humble servant is used to refer to the speaker himself or herself.,3.How taboo and euphemism related and different,The psychological base of the,emergence of euphemism is taboo.It means they are closely related,but it doesnt necessarily mean they have no difference.,3.How taboo and euphemism related and different,Definition is different.,The property is different,and they are not one-to-one corresponding relations.It is impossible for every taboo word to have the euphemism expression.,3.How taboo and euphemism related and different,They have different social functions.Using taboo words can draw others attention.Sometimes some persons use taboo words on purpose as to relieve feelings or indicate their identity.Euphemism is positive in communication.It can help avoiding embarrassing situation.,4.Conclusion,一个唱白脸一个唱黑脸,serves as a norm in language communication about things that should not be said.(bad-cop),is a roundabout way of saying,certain things.,（,good-cop,）,Taboo,Euphemism,Thank you!,