| Euphemism is a form of language created in social relations to achieve ideal communication. As an indispensable and natural part of English language, English euphemism has been arousing wide interest and many linguists and scholars have studied the linguistic phenomenon from different perspectives like semantics, culture and pragmatics etc.(Rawson,1981; Allan and Burridge, 1991; Shu Dingfang, 1995; Lin Lifang, 1998; Liang Hongmei, 2000 and Xu Li'na, 2002 etc.). As to the study of euphemism from the perspective of semantics, their research explores the semantic processes by means of which English euphemisms are formed, the internal mechanism governing the use of euphemism and also discusses the semantic changes of euphemism (Gu Tongqing, 2001 etc.). Concerned with the study of euphemism from the perspective of culture, their research analyzes the functions of euphemism as well as linguistic and cultural elements closely related to these functions (Zhu Shi & Zheng Yuqi, 2001 etc.).As to the study of euphemism from the perspective of pragmatics, besides the definition, classification, formation etc. of euphemism, their research shows that generally the use of euphemism largely depends on the context and it violates the Quality, Quantity, Relevance and Manner Maxim of the CP and basically it observes the maxims of the PP. On the other hand, few of their researches have been focused on euphemisms used in a specific field, that is to say, most of those researchers just studied the euphemisms from a broad sense. And the second problem is that most of their studies were mainly theory-oriented rather than empirical studies and hence their researches lack adequate evidence to support.Euphemism can be classified into different types according to different angles and standards. Diplomatic euphemism is one of them and is mainly classified according to register. Due to its' special characteristics, English diplomatic euphemism has been used by the diplomats and statesmen in press conferences. Based on the others' research achievements, the author will have a pragmatic analysis of the diplomatic euphemisms with the theories of Cooperative Principle (CP) and Politeness Principle (PP) and also an exploration of the principles and ways of using English diplomatic euphemisms in the question-answer patterns by the diplomats and statesmen etc. in press conferences.In order to have a pragmatic analysis of the diplomatic euphemisms with the theories of CP and PP, the author chooses five transcripts in press conferences. This paper is mainly aimed to achieve the following objectives: (1) What is the frequency of using diplomatic euphemisms by diplomats and statesmen in English press conferences? (2) To what extent do diplomatic euphemisms violate the maxims of the CP in press conferences and which is the mostly violated one? (3) Why do these diplomatic euphemisms violate the maxims of CP? (4) What are the basic principles that govern the use of diplomatic euphemisms in press conferences after we have analyzed the materials with the theories of CP and PP? Cooperative Principle, the cornerstone theory of pragmatics, is one of the main principles that guides people's communication. The Cooperative Principle and its' maxims can explain what is the literal meaning and its real intention in communication and ensure that in an exchange of conversation, like the question-answer patterns in press conferences, the right amount of information is provided and the interaction is conducted in a truthful, relevant and perspicuous manner. Based on the research objectives, the theories and thesis data, the author will analyze the diplomatic euphemisms used in press conferences with CP and PP to see what is the relationship between diplomatic euphemisms and CP and PP respectively and etc..The results of this study indicates that diplomatic euphemisms are often used by diplomats and statesmen in press conferences; the Cooperative Principle and the Politeness Principle are the two main principles that govern the use of diplomatic euphemi... |
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