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1、On English “Death” Euphemism论英语“死亡”的委婉语1. IntroductionEnglish euphemism, from the Greek word “euphemismos” meaning “good fame “or “good speech”, is the use of a pleasant, polite or harmless sounding word or expression to mask harsh, rude or infamous truths (Qin Xianmei &Li Yang, 2006: 212 ) . It is
2、also defined in the new edition of The Oxford Concise Dictionary (1979) as “Substitution of mild or vague or roundabout expression for harsh or direct one” (Feng Cuihua, 2004: 221). English euphemism is a language phenomenon that exists popularly in English peoples lives and the “death” euphemism is
3、 just one of the most important parts in euphemistic culture. During the process of communication, people, in English culture, create a great majority of euphemistic expressions about “death” in order to make the “death” not sounding so scared. Of course, the “death” euphemism is both a language phe
4、nomenon and cultural phenomenon, which makes people avoid this terrible and mysterious word directly, and expresses their miss feeling and respect, their sympathy and comfort more effectively, which people can easily to accept. Death is an unfortunate thing and a disaster, even everyone in the world
5、 can not resist this natural law of birth, age and death. People merely use other words as substitutes of “death” for its linguistic taboo. People, from social man psychology, consider that talking about the death is unlucky, because in the mind of tradition, people refer to death and misfortune wou
6、ld occur. Therefore, many euphemisms in the English language are used to cover up “death”. For instance, in “David Copperfield”, Charles Dickens wrote: “and, it being low water, he went out with the tide.”(余立三，1985：63). “He went out with the tide” is a euphemism that expresses “he died”. To master t
7、his kind of euphemistic culture is good for social communication. This paper provides more detailed analysis from English “death” euphemism, its origin, development, metaphor, age vs. relationship, before or after death vs. dead cause, oral expression vs. slang, occasion vs. value. Meanwhile, it stu
8、dies the culture on English “death” euphemism even deeply and helps the English learners understand the languages inner relations as well as how to improve the ability of using this euphemistic language effectively. 2. English “Death” Euphemism and CultureCulture, in a broad sense, includes customs,
9、 ideas, objects, techniques, language, civilization, art and literature, etc. of a particular society or group of people. (Wehmeier, 2001：227). The English “death” euphemism is a special language. As we all know, England is a hometown of prevailing euphemism. People there are inclined to apply a lot
10、 of euphemistic words to express something terrible. As a story tells: a guest from Paris was travelling and living in England, one day, his landlord told him with grief on face: “My husband has just passed to the other side.” This Paris man looked toward the other side of the garden, but he saw nob
11、ody and was puzzled at that time. So his landlord explained further to him: “I mean he is kicked the bucket.” He comforted her and said: “I hope his foot will be better soon.” But landlord did not understand what her guest said, and she explained: “No, he wasnt here, he snuffed it .you know.” Still
12、the Paris man couldnt get what his landlord wanted to express. He blurted out suddenly: “But youve got electricity here. (李观仪, 2000: 24). We can know from story why the Paris man answered this woman with other things that were outlying when she talked about one thing. Because the Paris man was not a
13、ware of euphemisms that the landlord used, even he did not understand “Conversational implication” of euphemism. As a matter of fact, what she said means that her husband passed away. In other words, her husband died. “Passed to the other side, kick the bucket, and snuffed it” these phrases in the s
14、tory are all “death” euphemisms. Usually, people alive do not want to say the word “die” directly when someone acquainted has passed away. This language phenomenon in society is quite common, and in a sense, it is also an application of language. English “death” euphemism, at the same time, reflects
15、 some custom, social value and belief, etc. Therefore, it can not exist alone without social culture. In order to analyze its inner cultural meanings, we now study the origins of English “death” euphemism first.2.1 The Main Origin of “Death” EuphemismEverything in the world has their origins. So is
16、with the English “death” euphemism. Long time ago, many phenomenon could not be explained clearly, just like “die”. People did not know why a man would die, but they believed it was a mysterious power. “Death” is a terrible word that reminds people of dark or cold things. People avoid talking about
17、it, because they are afraid of losing their families or friends. Consequently, a lot of euphemisms are used, such as: “be asleep forever”（永远安息了）is taken to substitute “death” as well as the “ to be brought to ones long home”（回老家）. In different cultures, it needs to use the different euphemisms to ex
18、press “death”. Namely, the origins of English “death” euphemism are so wide and different.2.1.1 Christianity BeliefThe first origin of “death” euphemism is Christianity belief. A large number of the euphemisms originate from the stories or allusions of Christianity. Moreover, Christianity has explai
19、ned the death and described the world after death in order to help people get rid of angst and trepidation about death. To the world beyond death, Christianity has had great effects on peoples mind and obviously emerges in the language. We know, English, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand ar
20、e all the countries which believe in Christianity. Christianity is focused on the salvation of the world beyond death, and there are many “death” euphemisms are found in Bible, Hymns and preached documents, etc. Accordingly, a part of English “death” euphemisms originate from Christianity. In the Me
21、dieval Century, Christianity unified the whole Europe, and Bible was unique and supreme truth. The “death” euphemisms from Bible have embodied life value and explained peoples death. just as God creates human beings with clay, and after death, they would “return to dust” (归尘). In Bible, God created
22、Adam, human beings ancestor, with clay. One day, God said to him: “Thou come from dust, and shalt return to dust.” The notion that people have sins with birth, they must atone for it, and after their death, they would “pay the debt of nature”. God is a master of everything in the universe. When peop
23、le die, they “are called to God”. Death means “go the way of all flesh”. People alive, they must keep noble mind and helping others, they would “go to heaven” in the future. And then, they can “be with God, be asleep in the arms of God / in Jesus / lie in Abrahams bosom” and “be at peace”. This make
24、s life “go to ones final reward”. Peoples death just is “yield up the ghost”, but the soul is “launch into eternity” and “have ones name inscribed in the book of life”. (戴卫平&高鹏，2004：15). According to the Christianity, human beings are all created by God. They are Gods sons and daughters. God loves h
25、is children, and human also love God. But human have sins with birth, they must believe in and obey God, and God would absolve their sins. It can help them go to heaven after their death. By means of the influence of this mind, English “death” euphemisms, their original meanings are mostly about God
26、 and heaven. Some words like: “to answer the final summons, to depart to God, to join the heaven host, to join the angels, to be called to the great beyond and to be taken to paradise”, etc. These euphemisms are used to express the world after death and make people alive have a spiritual dependence,
27、 living quietly, and leaving with smile in the end.2.1.2 Funeral WayThe second origin of English “death” euphemism is its funeral way. In English culture, funeral way also has produced some “death” euphemisms, just as daisies. It is a kind of flower that usually grows in the place around a tomb. It
28、symbolizes a man who died and has been buried into earth. The “death” euphemisms about daisies are “to count daisies, to grin at the daisy- roots, to hide ones name under some daisies，to kick up daisies, to push up the daisies and to turn up ones toes to daisies”, etc. (刘重德，2006: 438). Certainly, th
29、e funeral way in different situations has different euphemistic expressions.2.1.3 Professional Language“Professional language” is a third of English “death” euphemism. In many different professions of society, they have their own languages, and language expressions are endowed with the great profess
30、ional characteristics. This paper discusses this question from six professional origins. Firstly, soldiery is a profession whose duty is to defend countrys security and fight against enemies. Looking back upon the passed history, many soldiers lost their young lives in the wars. People, for the sake
31、 of remembering and expressing their respect to those who died for the nation, they used many “death” euphemisms. For example, President Lincoln gave an address in Gettysburg: “we have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that nation m
32、ight live.” (包惠南，2001：184). In this sentence, Lincoln used the “final resting place” that is a “death” euphemism of burial ground, and “gave their lives” is a euphemism of sacrifice. These two “death” euphemisms greatly expressed Lincolns respect and love to these martyrs. Generally speaking, the “d
33、eath” euphemisms about soldiery are expressed as “sb bit the dust, sb bought the farm, sb fell in battle, sb gave his life to his country / laid down his life for his country, do ones bit for ones country and fire ones last shot”, etc. Secondly, reverend is also a profession whose task is to mission
34、ize and persuade people to accept God. They believe that people would be taken to paradise after their death. As a result, there are many “death” euphemisms about God or heaven, Such as: “to be called to God, to be gathered to ones fathers, to go to meet ones maker, to be in heaven, to be asleep in
35、the arms of God and to depart to God”, etc. Consequently, these euphemisms emerge in religious language.Thirdly, doctor is a profession that they usually help the patients. Their duty is to cure diseases that have fallen on people. But sometimes, some patients died of diseases that can not be treate
36、d. As doctors, they have responsibilities to comfort these patients families or friends. They often say: “We have tried our best; we think she is going home”(毛荣贵等，2005：148), he expired, he breathe his last and he have gone out”, etc.Fourthly, seaman is a profession that they work on the sea. But thi
37、s work is rather dangerous. No matter the fishermen or sailors, many of them died in the sea for some reasons. People called their death as “be lost at sea “, etc.Fifthly, lawyer is a profession that they use law to help or protect others benefits. When someone died of being killed without any evide
38、nces, lawyers often present at this occasion. They always say that “the deceased man left no will, the old man deceased without leaving an heir, the deceased was a well- know engineer”. Actually, “The deceased” means a dead man. It is an elegant, formal euphemism from Latin. For example, a dialogue
39、in the teleplay of “Prison break”:“We made an imprint of the deceaseds teeth and compared them to the dental records of Terrence Steadman. And? They were a perfect match.”“Thank you, doctor. That cant be Terrence Steadman”“If you like, you can bring in a forensic examiner of you own choosing to exam
40、ine the body, but I can tell you now. Theyll come to the same conclusion that I have”.“I hope youre proud of this. Youve gotten your pound of flesh. Are you done now? or would you like to hurt my family some more? Come on”. (Prisonbreak, 2007).Finally, net player is a kind of people who like the pla
41、ys on the internet. In the developed modern society, internet is getting more popular and has become the part of peoples life. Thus, so many new words on the net are spoken by players. As for “death”, they call it “game over”. The “Game over” is just the “death” euphemism in network culture.2.2 The
42、Development of “Death” EuphemismEverythings development has a process. So is with the Euphemism. In the time of religion popularity, people believed in God, because the so-called good life would be given under the blessing and protection of God. For this, euphemisms were endowed with religion meanin
43、g. On the contrary, in the days of advanced science and technology, people gradually open the natural mysteries, and the religion is neglected bit by bit. The new euphemisms without religion meaning can get development in the coming day. In terms of social consciousness progress, it promotes the inc
44、rease of euphemisms. In the 20th century, especially after World War, many new euphemisms were created when the civil situation changed. (何善芬，2002；369-70). English “death” euphemisms also followed when euphemisms developed. In the Medieval Century, because of the famine and plague year after year, “
45、Grim Reaper” became the substitute of “death” in that time. And in the Renaissance, people called the “death” as nap, sleep, and gave it human nature. As a result, the effigies of dead men were sculptured on tombs. From the Medieval Century to now, people have considered the “death” as a master game
46、sman. All of them want to defeat it, but eventually, they are failed. Peoples life is like a gamble, if you fail, and your life will end at once. Hence, there are many “death” euphemisms about this aspect, such as “cashed in / handed in his chips and jumped the last hurdle”, etc. (戴卫平&高鹏，2004：19). W
47、ith the development of science and technology, some English “death” euphemisms have hardly been used, because they have been the old phrases and been displaced by the new ones. Some new expressions like “mercy killing / stroke, pull the plug, pass out of the picture, be grounded for good and run one
48、s race”. “Death” is regarded as the beginning of new life that is always expressed in several words, such as “go to a better place, be called to a higher life”, etc. Today, they are used widely by public.3. English “death” Euphemism and MetaphorMetaphor is a way of describing something by comparing
49、it to something else which has the same qualities (but without using the words as or like). (Wehmeier, 2001：582-83). In English culture, peoples concept that “when talking to the death, and the misfortune would happen”, is rooted in their mind deeply. Using the way of metaphor to express the “death” is to not mention it. Usually, “Death” is compared to “home, sleep, rest, time, going away and west”, etc. The metaphor about home: “to be called home, t