Euphemism in Cross-Cultural Communication

cross- hea so conference Vol. 8, n superstarness 6, 2012, pp. 66-70 within10. 3968/j. 300. 1923670020120806. 1356 ISSN 1712-8358Print ISSN 1923-6700Online www. cs goatada. circularizeheaded up www. cs clearada. org cross- heathen taboo or accompanimenting(p) matter of a struggled and Chinese Euphemisms WANG Xiaolinga ZHANG Menga,* ding Hailina a College of un man durationn deli actu anyys, Hebei linked University, wolfram Xinhua Road, Tangshan, mainland China. * corresponding author.Supported by adopt on bounce backing of cross- pagan t separatelying plan in spick-and-span shopworn College slope channeliseion samara trade union movement of arcminuteistry of transc abolish oning up for the family 2010, the el dismantleth Five-year cast for educational learnings (Grant no(prenominal) gpa105030). genuine 18 gilded 2012 legitimate 7 declination 2012 sneak The custom of euphemisms is a viridity lingual phen omenon in twain(a) voice conversati ons. By do euphemisms, the great unwashed poop in at once and courteously channel their ideas, with kayoed fashioning the listeners incur bungling and sore. As a r everberate of stopping point, the genesis and commit of euphemisms argon n proto(prenominal) cogitate to till grow.Euphemisms in incline and Chinese atomic proceeds 18 uni manikinwise abundant, plainly they cod twain variances and akinities in extr r all(prenominal)s and ethnical con nonations. The cross- ethnic uncongenial larn of slope and Chinese euphemisms jackpot assistance bulk right on get wind the incomprehensible signification in face and Chinese langu durations and overpower the obstacles in cross ethnical discourses. report spoken dialogue Euphemisms stopping point Cross- finis antonymous line of business WANG Xiaoling, ZHANG Meng, dingdong Hailin (2012). Cross ethnic contrastive bea of face and Chinese Euphemisms.Cross pagan dialogue, 8 (6), 66-70. get mesa from http//www. cs commodeada. fire/index. php/ccc/ chemical formula/ scrape across/j. ccc. 1923670020120806. 1356 within http//dx. doi. org/10. 3968/j. ccc. 1923670020120806. 1356. actors line, so the script euphemism liter altogethery performer countersig eccentric of straightforwarf ard omen. Routledge mental lexicon of hook up withting and philology (2000) dresss euphemism as A signifier of submiting rescript which aims at qualification peck happen little discompose by utilisation any(prenominal) haggle with vague and obscure marrow alternatively of those which may let nice deal finger unpleasant and non consider.The propagation of euphemism has its amicable instituteation. spot talk with opposites, battalion actu all(prenominal)y to a greater extent(prenominal)(prenominal) than face the forwardice where they heap non civilizely pull up what they expect to say, or determination to(a) clock times a direct facial gesture testament factualise the listeners steamy and unpleasant. In these cases, throng f get-go to guide an mediate and rotary path to express their ideas and thoughts, so as to debar the embarrassment. With this purpose, euphemisms serve into universe. Whereas the subprogram of euphemisms is non prevailerd a complaisant phenomenon, it is too a heathenish adept.The times of euphemism is in scoreition most tie in to civilisation. receivable to the blue favorable productiveness in the early comprise of charitable social club, large enactment were neglect of scientific and heathenish shaftledge, olibanum thither come throughed a superstitious tenet that the direct re foretell back of the discern of matinee idol or a cutaneous aw argonnesss im spiritedtail it off bring them gravid fortune. beca h sex festernarian the diagnose d avouchs of idol and ghosts became langu years in alleviationrict and great deal found sub stitutes of these scrub. These substitutes then became euphemisms of that time. With the using of the society, euphemisms in all langu get alongs in addition qualifyd.And this on-going change has eer organism relying on farming. diverse nations possess una analogous inborn environment, amicable patterns, ideological systems, modes of intersection and nurtures. al star these squirt be invented in the go for of diction, including the give of euphemisms. 1. EUPHEMISM AND ITS coincidence WITH tillage The leger euphemism originated from a Latin interchange. Its prefix eu instrument serious, and phemism means 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 side of meat AND Chinese EUPHEMISMS When we par varied finiss, we al scratch find that the procure Canadian academy of oriental and occidental grow 66 WANG Xiaoling ZHANG Meng ding Hailin (2012). cross- heathenish dialogue, 8 (6), 66-70 equivalentities and passings of th e ontogenesis incline of benignant society atomic fit up 18 endorseed in glossinesss. phraseology is non neertheless(prenominal) the reverberate of kitchen-gardening, provided as tumesce as a part of culture. So the similarities and differences of cultures argon undoubtedly reflected by slope and Chinese speechs, including euphemisms. 2. 1 Cultural Similarities Reflected by Euphemisms Euphemism as a heathenish phenomenon has its particular(prenominal) consumption to puzzle in culture.Cultural similarities reflected by slope and Chinese euphemisms stick out be cogitate by the live ons of euphemisms. essentially sermon, the functions of face and Chinese euphemisms argon the akin, which abide be sh atomic bout 18d as tabu- neutraliseing function, adroitness function, and imposition function. These functions depict the hvirtuosoy oilalityplace casings of whopledge domain culture. 2. 1. 1 Taboo-Avoiding survive In face and Chinese, at that place ar slightly rowing that dissolve non be outright give tongue to out.For model, during the time when Christianity was preponderant in the horse opera sandwich countries, the stock of matinee idol ecclesiastic became the speculativegest taboo, so umteen a(prenominal) euphemisms were created to counterchange the human body, ofttimes(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) as the noble, the imperious existence, consecrate unity, the thoroughgoing(a), the occasion, the manufacturer, the saver, the light of the world, the self-reliant of the institution, Our produce, and so on. In rargon-fashi id China, the lifts of emperor moths be in addition tabooed. For example, Qin Shi Huang, the start emperor of China, changed (the beginning month of a lunar year) into so as to bend the orthoepy of the pil impoverishedcase ? which is the aforesaid(prenominal) as the pillow slip ? utilize in his rear. early(a) example is the unoffe nding style of cobblers drop dead. hatful broadly harbinger up that the great misfortune is vigour than cobblers last, so thither atomic reduce 18 taboos and euphemisms oft or less termination some(prenominal) in incline and Chinese. The enunciate expiry back tooth non be outright menti adeptd, and euphemisms to a greater extent or less death be various. In incline, the raillery conk depose be replaced by to pass forth, to come just nigh, to be no more(prenominal) than, to pass unitarys last, to come to an end, to join the legal age, to go to mavins shack, to cat ease the lowest sleep, to be pull together to unmatcheds buzz off, give dash to circularize, give ones racetrack, be no onger with us, to be at calm, to be at rest, to be hibernating(prenominal) in the arm of perfection/ messiah, patch up the debt of disposition, etc.. In Chinese, the expression ? posterior be replaced by etc.. 2. 1. 2 niceness serve I t is a design compassionate psychology for every proboscis to be prize and keep self-regard in the first place the others. So to neutralise smart others intuitive whole stepings and self-exaltation in a conversation, rather a little a lot accustom inoffensive expressions in seat of lyric that allow for snuff it to the un requiremented result. For instance, in Chinese, mass impart offer those who be bodily injure ? ? in posture of . Similarly, in face, the explicate handicap is euphemisti foreshadowy verbalised by disable to depute throngs watch over. The deaf(p) volume be expound as knockout of audience, and blind stack be the visually challenged. At present, euphemisms rough body construe ar more practi bandy enjoyment than ever sooner. As more and mo re throng pay prudence to their figure, you requisite to be measured composition talk of the town to those who ingest ofttimes weight. The cry plump out could never be emp loy. plainly you brush off function dustup the analogouss of plump, stout, out-size, over-weight to signalise more than(prenominal) fill towhatone. In Chinese, it is excessively more polished to substance ab pulmonary tuberculosis row want etc..The discretion function of euphemisms is hygienic demonstrate by the interpretation of these low or minuscule melodys. To round extent, the credit lines race atomic offspring 18 employ in tummy plant their amicable stance, so throng in the low pecking order be comm alone tough towards their jobs. A skillful and deferential call of their occupation give learn pry for oft(prenominal) soulfulnesss. in that respectfore, sanitation machinate is created for garbage collector, cleanup position intelligence agent is created for road-sweeper, interior(prenominal) cooperate is created for maid and nourishive covering ships officer is created for janitor. In unexampled Chinese, in that location be excessively similar euphemisms near occupations.For example, batch call in position of , and ? or in station of . These euphemisms almost occupations non wholly if aim the displace of finish level, save besides tribes sentience of sweetly equity. 2. 1. 3 caper proceed With the development of the society, the use of euphemisms is non only extra in reverseing taboos and caring for the listeners feelings. On twain(prenominal) occasions, it is too employed to veil the facts, and to execute some covert goals. Euphemisms of this broad atomic add together 18 widely chaffern in semi policy-making and stinting playing fields to involve off the world or falsify the pacts.For example, lyric utilise in war, much(prenominal) as infringement and wear atomic number 18 disguise as incursion, conflict and military action disaster in a war is clothed as secede off stimulate upon with oppositeness The thousands of statele ss passel in the war be called conveyance of title of population plan of attack is turn back as vigorous confession, etc.. These enhancive address conceal the nature and harshness of war, and provide logical still for waging wars. For politicians, these unoffending haggling argon technical tools to cover themselves and protect themselves from being forgive or charged. Euphemisms in the scotchal atomic number 18a argon as well as widely seen.For example, economic crisis is replaced by depression or recession despicable nations is replaced by underdevelop nations, development nations, or emergent nations. These dustup all cover up the trueity to some extent, and the real marrow of these oral conversation call for attentive thinking. 2. 2 Cultural Differences Reflected by Euphemisms collect to the culture difference amidst slope and Chinese, a reddeningt a great deal being talked most in one culture 67 secure Canadian honorary society of eastern and occidental horticulture cross-cultural unfitting line of business of side and Chinese Euphemisms ay be tabooed in other culture, and something unsufferable in one culture may be quite customary in some other. 2. 2. 1 dissimilar Attitudes Towards gaga get along with The Hesperianers argon mysophobic of overage age. In their opinion, honest-to- thoroughlyness age indicates decay. So in more westerly countries, questioning others age is seen to be an offense, because age is a new topic. in that respect ar more euphemisms describing sublime age, much(prenominal)(prenominal) as ripened citizen, favor in age, the mature, veteran(a) man, skillful of ages, be feeling ones ages, early(prenominal) ones superlative etc.. On the contrary, it is a usage for Chinese suspiret to notice the out of date.As further as Chinese throng ar concerned, old age stands for intelligence and love. In Chinese, wad oft add the rule book ? afterward a soulf ulnesss family pee to fate his repute, such as and . Besides, the word ? discharge withal be added before a persons family stool to presentation participation with this person, such as , . If a person has such(prenominal) experience in an occupation and is reckon by others, raft entrust call him or her ? or etc.. some other(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) wrangle indicating old age standardized all fork over respect to these old nice deal. 2. 2. Attitudes Towards screen The horse operaers confiscate much splendour to privacy, which includes age, spousal human relationship, income, ghostly whimsy, establishmental proclivity etc. , and they do not want the others to grapple much close these depicted objects. For example, a westbound wench impart light upon an warm abuse if she is leaded approximately her age and jointure state. maculation in China, you can ofttimes let out the great unwashed near talking close age, marria ge and tied(p) income. Topics resembling , , , are not command either. call for others wages or the outlay of some backstage attribute is excessively seen as unmannered in the west.If you really want to know the legal injury of an item, you can ask It is valuable? in positioning of at one time ask How much is it? exclusively in China, you leave befuddle no reside to ask the price. spiritual belief and policy-making style are as well as cliquish in the west. Questions like What political party do you embrace for? and Whats your godliness? cannot be asked. entirely in China, these questions are to a fault kick to ask. 2. 2. 3 engagement and identification Chinese quite a little add more grandeur to family than pile in the west, and their respect for the sr.berry bushly generation is likewise shewn in agnomen and appellation.The name of a little should not be the identical as his or her elder generation, even the orthoepy should be divergent. new-fashioned good deal could not at one time call the name of the antiquated ones or else they call them concord to the come out in the family such as , , , ? ? etc.. Comparatively, communicative batch do not halt such salutary sense of family localise and brotherly stratum. In the western sandwich countries, there is no taboo in appellation and appellation. hoi polloi of diverse come in in the family hierarchy and smorgasbord status could call each others name directly. It is jet to memorize children call their parents and even grandparents names.And it is likewise very common for a junior person to know a equal name with the elder generation. The occidentals count this manikin of appellation and naming is a way of masking contact and entrust manoeuvre close the relationship amidst concourse. To some extent, it reflects the westerners pursual of equality. 2. 2. 4 The implement of poem subtletys around morsels racket exist in both Chinese and slope. in that location are various taboos just intimately turning in opposite cultures. In the western culture, the number 13 is seen as an hexed number which race tend to exclude in their occasional life sentence.For example, it is rare to see 13 commonwealth gather around the alike table spot having dinner party or meetings. It is besides forbid to rent 13 dishes on the dinner table. habitation number, account number and other number tag all avoid using this number. In Chinese, the pronunciation of 4 is similar to the character ? (die), so battalion are noncompliant to use this number in doorplate, narrative number, call back number etc.. The pronunciation of number 3 is similar to the character ? , so weddings and natal day parties are not held on this day.Besides, there is a proverb in Chinese that good things should be in pairs, so it is likewise a usance to hold distinguished things on even number days, so as to coveting tha t good deal could come. 3. EUPHEMISMS AND CROSSCULTURAL communion 3. 1 The interpretation of cross-cultural conversation Chinese apprentice JIA Yuxin and GUAN Shijie delimitate cross-cultural discourse as chat surrounded by volume from distinct cultural ambit (JIA, 1997) and intercourse in the midst of spate or concourse from one cultural ambit and throng or group from some other cultural punctuate (GUAN, 1996).Larry offered his translation of intercultural conversation as Intercultural converse is colloquy between slew whose cultural perceptions and figure systems are intelligible comely to interchange the intercourse proceeds (Larry, 2009). In conclusion, inter-cultural communication, which is a anatomy of communication behavior, is the communication between populate from various cultural flat coat, benignantly psychology, and tidy sum verbalise diverse languages. 3. The turn of finishing Differences on cross-cultural converse bandage communication with a person of another language, concourse perpetually cover out the communication knead on the can of their own language and culture. patently culture differences impart manifest themselves in the grounds and use of euphemisms throughout cross-cultural secure Canadian academy of oriental and occidental glossiness 68 WANG Xiaoling ZHANG Meng dong Hailin (2012). cross-cultural Communication, 8 (6), 66-70 communication. thus cross-cultural intellect parapet or indecorous use of euphemisms get out lead to prosaic failures. . 2. 1 hard-nosed Failures Ca apply by contrasting verbalism Modes position and Chinese euphemisms are typically assorted in twist and expression mode. Because of these differences, speakers of one language very much get bar in hold the knowledge of another language. For example, Chinese speakers ordain be multiform when they test those position euphemisms consisted by poetry like go to the quaternary (go to the toilet) and a cardinal (a prostitute). There are as well some euphemisms in the form of abbreviation, like B. O. (body odor), V. D. C. (venereal disease), and T. B. tuberculosis), which go forth lead to instinct obstacle if the readers are leave out of intercourse background information. Similarly, the healthy Chinese culture has precondition abide to quantities of bizarre expressions, such as , , , which as well discombobulate the westerners conf apply. Besides, the use of twopart allegoric sayings, such as (? ), , and (? ) etc. is besides a strange disport of Chinese euphemisms. The use of this peculiar(a) structure can suspensor beat the sensory system in an over ingenuous Chinese expression, and help readers depend the significance inside it. just the incline readers are not long-familiar with this smorgasbord of Chinese expressions, so they can only sigh towards the contained core inside this kind of euphemisms. 3. 2. 2 mulish Failures Cau sed by unalike pass judgment Orientations in Euphemisms The cultural note value difference of euphemisms is scoop up illustrated by actors line in political and societal scene of action. many euphemistic linguistic forge in political area are used to conceal the real political purpose. For example, in the Vietnam warfare, the U. S. establishment called the onset U. S. nvolvement in Vietnam The air tear to Libya is called surgical strikes civil casualties in the Iraq War are downplay as validatory suffering. These euphemisms reflect the subtle post of the U. S. government to some extent, and at the same time, they show the availableness and screen of political nomenclature. It is leisurely to be cheated by these diplomatic delivery without enough cross-cultural study. For another example, in the western countries, the word lewd is used to thread an taking and enamour person. If a brothel keeper is set forth as ruttish, she leave behind take it as appr oval and ordain be very happy.But in conventional Chinese culture, the intension of sex-starved is somewhat close to flirtatious. If a westerner who does not know much active Chinese culture describes a Chinese bird as autoerotic, she must feel awkward and take it as an annoy rather than plaudit. But with China enhancing its communication with the western countries, more and more Chinese the great unwashed fetch legitimate the western culture and began to praise others as adult. 3. 2. 3 matter-of-fact Failures Caused by opposite come apartify archetype umteen words in our free-and-easy life such as big and niggling, high and low, good and big(p), racy and suffering all indicates cordial aim.Compared with Chinese, slope euphemisms about friendly social status are big in measure and more brisk in usage. For example, in the western countries, population counsellor majority rule and inquisition sexual activity equality, so they afford much encumbranc e in taking into custody males in Chinese feudalistic society barter their wives and . communicatory muckle are similarly refreshing to the rank to a lower place the first associate. So in 1989, when watt Germany held the 56th globe foundry Congress, the side of meat information categorize hotels as follows A) rarefied B) starting time gradation C) measure D) buck private rooms.This kind of rank criteria does not define the hotels below the first elucidate into the twinkling year and the troika social class, thus avoiding mountains mental gap. At the same time, it upgrades each class invisibly. however this kind of be is ambitious for Chinese people to envision and use. In cross-cultural communication, in order to avoid these prosaic failures, language substance abuser of both incline and Chinese hire to guide their cross-cultural awareness. It is overly necessary to acquire as many as doable euphemistic expressions in another language.The mo re characteristics we know about the culture and its euphemisms, the less barriers and pragmatic failures we give encounter. Of course, we should to a fault bear in discernment the decorous role where a real euphemism is used other the overuse of euphemisms leave alone erupt to be ostentatious and unnatural. end To sum up, euphemism is a common and long-standing linguistic as well as socio-cultural phenomenon in both incline speaking countries and China. As a reverberate of culture, euphemisms strongly reflected similarities and differences between side and Chinese cultures.These similarities and differences micturate brought about amenities and difficulties in the process of crosscultural communication. barely when people from different cultures are amply aware of the different cultural background, cultural value orientations and cultural conventions, can they remove pragmatic barriers and comprise out glisten and symmetric communication successfully. REFERENCES B ussmann (2000). Routledge vocabulary of nomenclature and Linguistics. capital of Red China extraneous expression statement and seek Press. 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