Euphemism(委婉语)as a figure of speech(修辞手段)is more than just saying something unpleasant in a pleasant way. In the words of a famous sociolinguist(社会语言学家), “The euphemism is a recognition(认知)by man of man’s imperfection(不完美;缺憾), and at the same time a recognition by man that he belongs to better things. It is a false word substituted for(代替)the true word in order to soften the chock of reality(现实的混乱).”

It would seem then that the urge to speak euphemistically is a universal trait(普遍特征), but varying in scope and motive with different individuals in different circumstance (环境). Sometimes in some cases euphemisms go so far as some writers condemn(谴责) euphemisms as demoralizing(道德败坏). “In the hearings(听证会), criminality (犯罪行为) is given scores of numbing (使麻木) disguises(隐藏)… the roster(名册)seems endless: dirty tricks (卑劣行为), laundered money(洗钱), telephone anomalies(电话异常)—all perform. the same function: the separation of words from the truth.” However, the fact remains that euphemisms are very much part of the language, it is more important for us to be able to read into them to get the real meaning from them.

Since the purpose of using euphemism is to reduce the unpleasantness of a term or notion, it is natural to find many euphemistic terms used in governments’ announcements(公告), in international relations, and in the military(军事). For example, the former(前任)President of United States Ronald Reagon(里根)who had promised the American public to cut taxes called for(号召)revenue enhancements (加强预算)instead of “tax increases”. The term for “the third world countries” was at first underdeveloped nations(不发达国家), then developing countries(发展中国家)and then emerging nations(新兴国家)took its places.

1. Euphemism, as a figure of speech, is simply saying something unpleasant in a pleasant way.()

A.True

B.False

2. To some sociolinguist, people use euphemisms in order to avoid being cheated.()

A.True

B.False

3. People everywhere use euphemisms.()

A.True

B.False

4. Since euphemisms tend to separate words from truth, we have to be able to understand the real meaning from them.()

A.True

B.False

5. One seldom sees euphemisms used in international relations.()

A.True

B.False