The Gender Difference In Acquiring English Euphemisms

Euphemism is a widespread linguistic phenomenon. Studies of euphemisms have long been of interest among Chinese researchers as well as foreign scholars. Some scholars consider euphemism as a rhetorical device and their purpose is to study the definition and classification of euphemisms; some scholars study euphemisms from the perspective of the effect of society on the coming and going of euphemism; some scholars emphasize saving-face effect of euphemism and its pragmatic function; some scholars discuss the semantic change of euphemism and its effect on English language; and some scholars carry on the study of the relationship between euphemism and culture. Though obviously much work has been done in the field of English euphemism, there is no empirical research in investigating the relationship of gender and euphemism and there is no research to investigate the acquisition pattern of English euphemisms, especially in China. Based on the above deficiencies, this dissertation mainly aims to make an analysis of the relationship between gender and English euphemism acquisition and between English proficiency level and English euphemism acquisition. Thus this paper employed a survey to know the acquisition pattern of English euphemisms among Chinese students. The questionnaire of English euphemism is used among the seniors of English department on class with the purpose of knowing their comprehension and application of English euphemism. This dissertation consists of six parts.Chapter one is an introduction, which gives a general account of the definition, classification and formation of English euphemism.Chapter two presents the study on gender differences in sociolinguistics.Chapter three offers the researching design of my study, including the hypotheses, subjects, instrument, data collection and data analysis.Chapter four analyses the results quantitatively. It aims to discover the relationship of gender and seven indexes of English euphemisms, English proficiency level and English euphemism acquisition and have a full understanding of our...