AN INVESTIGATION INTO ENGLISH VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION OF EUPHEMISM

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i

DECLARATION
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
UNIVERSITY OF DANANG
Except where reference is made in the text of the thesis, this thesis
contains no material published elsewhere or extracted in whole or in part from
a thesis by which I have qualified for or been awarded another degree or

PHAN THỊ THU THỦY

diploma.
No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in
the thesis.
This thesis has not been submitted for the award of any degree or

AN INVESTIGATION
INTO ENGLISH - VIETNAMESE
TRANSLATION OF EUPHEMISM

diploma in any other tertiary institution.

Danang - 2011

Phan Thị Thu Thủy

Subject Area : The English Language
Code
:

60.22.15

M.A. THESIS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Supervisor: TRẦN ĐÌNH NGUYÊN, M.A.

DANANG - 2011

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ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

This thesis has been done in an effort to investigate how euphemism is

DECLARATION .............................................................................................. i

translated from English into Vietnamese in translated works as well as to

ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................ii

find out what are the main approaches taken by translators in translating

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................iii

euphemism from English into Vietnamese. A collection of samples taken

from literary works written in English and their Vietnamese versions have

LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................... vi
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 1
1.1. Rationale .................................................................................................... 1

been analyzed to explore ways in which euphemisms are transferred.

1.2. Signification of the Study........................................................................... 2

Besides, quantitative analyses have also been carried out to show

1.3. Scope of the Study ..................................................................................... 2

distribution of ways of translating, on the basis of which to identify

1.4. Research Questions .................................................................................... 2

preferences. The findings, it is hoped, will help to put forward some

1.5. Definition of Terms .................................................................................... 2

suggestions for the translation as a profession and for the teaching and

1.6. Organisation of the Study........................................................................... 3

learning of English to overcome the misunderstandings and barriers during

CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL

the cross-cultural communication.

BACKGROUND ............................................................... 4
2.1. A Review of Previous Studies.................................................................... 4
2.2. Theoretical Background ............................................................................. 5
2.2.1. Theory of Translation.......................................................................... 5
2.2.1.1. Definitions of Translation............................................................ 5
2.2.1.2. Language and Culture.................................................................. 7
2.2.1.3. Translation Equivalence .............................................................. 9
2.2.1.4. Translation Methods ................................................................. 11
2.2.1.5. Communicative Translation and Semantic Translation ............ 14
2.2.2. Euphemisms ...................................................................................... 16
2.2.2.1. Concepts and Definitions of Euphemisms................................. 16
2.2.2.2. Characteristic Features of Euphemisms..................................... 19
2.2.2.3. Euphemisms and Other Linguistic Units ................................... 21


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2.2.3. Semantic Characteristics of English Words...................................... 25

4.2.2. Translation of Euphemism into a Non-equivalent Euphemism by

2.2.3.1. Word Meaning ........................................................................... 25

Translating the Euphemistic Meaning of the SL text or by

2.2.3.2. Sense Relations .......................................................................... 27

Adding Footnotes and Explanatory Words in the TL text .............. 81

2.2.3.3. Componential Analysis in Translation....................................... 28

4.2.3. Translation of Euphemism into a direct form in the TL text ............ 82

2.2.4. Classification of Euphemisms and Theorists’ Ways for

CHAPTER 5 – CONCLUSIONS ................................................................. 83

Translation of Euphemisms ............................................................ 29

5.1. Summary of the Findings ........................................................................ 83

2.2.4.1. Classification of Euphemisms........................................................ 29

5.2. Implications for Translation .................................................................... 85

2.2.4.2. Theorists’ Ways for Translations of Euphemisms......................... 31

5.3. Implications for Language Teaching and Learning ................................ 85

CHAPTER 3 - METHOD AND PROCEDURE......................................... 34

5.4. Some Limitations of the Study................................................................ 86

3.1. Aims and Objectives................................................................................. 34

5.5. Some Suggestions for Further Research ................................................. 87

3.1.1. Aims .................................................................................................. 34

REFERENCES .............................................................................................. 88

3.1.2. Objectives.......................................................................................... 34

QUYẾT ĐỊNH GIAO ĐỀ TÀI

3.2. Research Design ....................................................................................... 34
3.3. Method of Research.................................................................................. 35
3.4. Data Collection and Description .............................................................. 35
3.5. Research Procedures................................................................................. 36
CHAPTER 4 - DISCUSSIONS OF FINDINGS ......................................... 37
4.1. The Ways of English-Vietnamese Translation of Euphemisms as
Manifested in Translated Works ............................................................. 37
4.1.1. Translation of Euphemisms expressing Death.................................. 37
4.1.2. Translation of Euphemisms expressing Sex .................................... 49
4.1.3. Translation of Euphemisms expressing Pregnancy .......................... 63
4.1.4. Translation of Euphemisms expressing Childbirth........................... 71
4.2. Three main Approaches to Translation of Euphemism............................ 79
4.2.1. Translation of Euphemism into an Equivalent Euphemism by
Finding the Exact Counterpart in the TL text ................................. 79

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CHAPTER 1

LIST OF FIGURES

INTRODUCTION
Title

Page

Figure 4.1. Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism expressing
Death in the SL Text Transferred into the TL Text

It is well known that human culture, social behavior and thinking
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Figure 4.2. Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism expressing
Sex in the SL Text Transferred into the TL Text

ethnic and cultural values as well as the norms of behavior of a given
language community. Obviously, ideas, notions and feelings are actually

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Figure 4.4. Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism expressing
Childbirth in the SL Text Transferred into the TL Text

cannot exist without languages. Being a social and national identity and a
means of human communication, languages cannot help bearing imprints of

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Figure 4.3. Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism expressing

Pregnancy in the SL Text Transferred into the TL Text

1.1. RATIONALE

universal but the way we describe them in different languages is very unique.
Therefore, translation plays a crucial role in enhancing better understanding

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each other, transmitting information, exchanging experiences and getting
knowledge. However, translating from one language into another is no easy
task. Translation must take into account a number of constraints, including the
context, the rules of grammar of the two languages, their writing conventions,
and their idioms. The most important idea is that translators have to be honest
in relaying the meaning, especially from one culture to another. It can be said
that one of the greatest difficulties that challenges translators are translating
figures of speech in general and euphemism in particular. Euphemism, a very
important

culture-loaded

figure

of

speech,

is

often

employed

in

communication and reflects the historical, political, economic and ideological
situations of a nation with its own characteristics. The translation of
euphemism has become more and more important with the development of
the inter-cultural communication.
This thesis attempts to study the figures of speech on the aspect of
translation to give some considerations and propose methods in translating
these figures of speech in general and euphemism in particular.


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Keeping effect as closely as possible

1.2. SIGNIFICATION OF THE STUDY

Second reader-centered.

We hope this study will offer some help to the translators when doing
the translation of euphemism and assist them to overcome the

1.6. ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

misunderstandings and barriers during the cross-cultural communication.

This research paper consists of five chapters:

1.3. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Chapter one: Introduction

This study investigates the ways used in translating euphemism from

In this chapter we would present the statements of the problem, the

English into Vietnamese. The investigation will focus on works of English

justification for the study, the scope of the study, the organization, as well as

literature and their Vietnamese versions.

definitions of terms.
Chapter two: Literature Review

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research has attempted to answer the following questions:
1. How euphemism is translated from English into Vietnamese as seen
in examples taken from works of literature?
2. What are the main approaches taken by translators in translating
euphemism from English into Vietnamese?

The chapter covers a review of literature on translation of euphemism.
Prior studies on the problems are reviewed for the groundwork of the
research. This chapter also introduces some theoretical preliminaries on the

translation theory, the definitions and classification of euphemism and the
area of semantics.
Chapter three: Method and Procedures

1.5. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
- “Source language” is the language in which a text was originally

This chapter provides the aims and objectives of the study, the research
methods used in order to achieve these aims. Next comes the research

written.
- “Target language” is the language in which a text is translated.
- “Euphemism” is a figure of speech. It is used as an alternative to an
expression, in order to avoid possible loss of face: either one’s own face or
through giving offense, that of the audience, or of some third party.
- “Semantic approach” is an approach to translation which has these

procedures which include the research questions, the hypothesis, data
collection and analysis.
Chapter four: Finding and Discussions
This chapter presents the findings and discussion of ways used in
translating euphemism from English into Vietnamese. The discussion also
covers the main approaches taken by translators in translating euphemism

features:

from English into Vietnamese.

SL bias
Keeping semantic and syntactic structures as closely as possible

Author- centered
- “Communicative approach” is an approach which has these features:
TL bias

Chapter five: Conclusions
This chapter consists of the conclusion of the whole study, the
implications for the translation and for the teaching and learning. Limitations
in doing the research and suggestions for further studies are also mentioned in
this chapter.

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CHAPTER 2

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In “Phong cách học Tiếng Việt” (2001), Đinh Trọng Lạc [4, p.126]

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL

puts forward the basic theoretical background of euphemisms in the

BACKGROUND

Vietnamese language. He assumes that euphemism is the delicate expression

2.1. A REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES
Translation is a complex process where fragile balance is achieved
between the equivalence of the text translated and the linguistic means
chosen. In reality, translation of euphemism from one language into another

language is a complex work which poses great difficulties to the translator so
there are many researchers dealing with euphemism translation in different
aspects. They can be seen in the following studies:
In “Introduction to Semantics and Translation” (1990), Barnwell [23,
p. 62-64] introduces some features of euphemism and also presents some
notes on translating euphemisms.
In “Euphemism and Dysphemism - Language Used as Shield and
Weapon” (1990), Allan and Burridge [21] mentions about the development,
the classification of English euphemisms and the differences among
euphemism, slang, dysphemism and taboo.
D.J. Enright [30] in “Fair of Speech” (1986), introduces euphemisms
and sex, death, politics, the media, the law and many others as well as
mentioned about the uses of euphemism.
In “Stylistics” (1977), Galperin [31] gives a definition of euphemism
and also divides them into several groups according to their spheres of
application: 1) religious, 2) moral, 3) medical, 4) parliamentary.
In Vietnamese, euphemisms have been discussed by some linguists:
Bằng Giang [1] in “Tiếng Việt phong phú” (1997), investigates over
1,000 variants of the word death with illustrations.

in communicative situation in which the addresser feels uncomfortable to talk
about taboo topics because he is afraid that it will hurt or offend the addressee
“Uyển ngữ là phương thức diễn ñạt tế nhị trong hoàn cảnh giao tiếp mà
người nói không tiện nói ra vì sợ quá phũ phàng hoặc sợ xúc phạm ñến người
nghe”.
Trương Viên [19] (2003; Ph.D. Thesis) focuses on the linguistic
features of euphemisms by analyzing their formation by syntactic, phonetic,
lexical and stylistic means. With the contrastive analysis, the author also
pointes out some features related to the method of translation.
Nguyễn Thị Lê [15] (2006; M.A thesis) focuses on the study on

commonly-used euphemisms in English and Vietnamese newspapers in three
aspects: syntax, semantics and pragmatics.
On doing this research, we have followed the viewpoint of linguistics
in doing an investigation into common ways for translating euphemism from
English into Vietnamese and found out the main approaches taken by
translators in translating euphemism from English into Vietnamese.
2.2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
2.2.1 Theory of Translation
2.2.1.1 Definitions of Translation
Translation, by dictionary definition, consists of changing from one
form to another, to turn into one 'own or another' language (The Merriam Webster Dictionary, 1974). Some authors have given the following different
definitions of translation:


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In the book “A Linguistic Theory of Translation”, Catford [25] defines

Furthermore, Vũ Văn Đại [20] claims that there is an unequivalence in

that translation is not a dangerous technique in itself provided its nature is

culture of translators and original texts, so in order to become good

understood, and its use is carefully controlled and translation is in itself a

translators, it is very necessary to enrich the cultural and national knowledge

valuable skill to be imparted to students. Furthermore, translation is an

of the TL.

operation performed in languages and also a process of substituting a text in

Peter Newmark’s theory [48] is different from the point of view of

one language for a text in another. More specifically, translation is the

above mentioned authors. He defines that translation is rendering the meaning

replacement of textual material in one language (SL) by equivalent textual

of a text into another language in the way that the author intended the text.

material in another language (TL).

Briefly, the starting point of translation is a message. This message is

Benjamin [61] states that translation goes beyond enriching the

expressed in a specific language, which is called the SL. When doing

language and culture of a country which it contributes to, beyond renewing

translation, we aim to re-express that message in another language (TL). We

and maturing the life of the original text, beyond expressing and analyzing the

have already known that the form of each language is unique. Thus,

most intimate relationships of languages with each other and becomes a way

translation will involve some changes of form. This does not matter provided

of entry into a universal language.

that that the meaning of the message is retained unchanged. Moreover,

Other researchers, Meetham and Hudsan [45, p.53] mention that

translation not only involves understanding the general meaning of the

translation is the replacement of a presentation of a text in one language by a

communication but also calls upon the ability to understand the culture of the

presentation of equivalent text in a second language.

communication. Before we can translate a message, we must understand the

According to B. Hatim & I. Mason [32, p.3], translation is a process,
involving the negotiation of meaning between producers and receivers of
texts. In other words, the resulting translated text is to be seen as the evidence

total meaning of the message within its own cultural context.
2.2.1.2. Language and Culture
Dealing with language and culture, Whorf

who endorsed Sapir’s

of a transaction, a means of retracting the pathways of the translator’s

theory declares firmly that “No language can exist unless it is steeped in the

decision-makings.

context of culture; and no culture of natural language.” [24, p.14]. Language,

Another author, Nguyễn Hồng Cổn [11] mentions that the activity of

then, is the heart within the body of culture, and it is the interaction between

translation is still a language activity and language plays core and basic roles.

the two that results in the continuation of life energy. In the same way that the

However, he says that together with the attention to linguistic problem,

surgeon, operating on the heart, cannot neglect the body that surrounds it, so

translators also need to pay attention to the problems relating to the SL and

the translator treats the text in isolation from the culture at his peril.

TL such as social environment, culture and religion.

According to Claire Kramsch [41, p.37], language is the principle
means whereby we conduct our social lives. When it is used in contexts of

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communication, it is bound up with culture in multiple and complex ways.

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2.2.1.3. Translation Equivalence

“Language expresses cultural reality” as the words people utter refer to

Equivalence can be said to be the central issue in translation although

common experience. They express facts, ideas or events that are

its definition, relevance, and applicability within the field of translation theory

communicable because they refer to a stock of knowledge about the world

have caused heated controversy, and many different theories of the concept of

that other people share. “Language embodies cultural reality through all its

equivalence have been elaborated within this problem. Translation

verbal and nonverbal aspects”. People also create experience through

equivalence occurs when a SL and a TL text or item are relatable to (at least

language. They give meaning to it through the medium they choose to

some of) the same features of substance. The greater the number of situational

communicate with one other, for example, speaking on the telephone or face-

features common to the contextual meanings of both SL and TL texts, the

to-face, writing a letter or sending an email message. The way they use

“better” the translation.

spoken, written, or visual medium itself creates meanings that are

According to Peter Newmark, translation equivalence is an unwritten

understandable to the group they belong. Language is a system of signs that is

rule about translation which people know and which influences the form of

seen that having itself a cultural value. “Language symbolizes cultural

translating exchange. “Translation equivalence will not be achieved word for

reality” as speakers identify themselves and other through their use of

word, collocation for collocation, clause for clause, sentence for sentence, but

language; they use their language as a symbol of their social identity.

possibly only paragraph for paragraph, or, rarely, text for text. For this

Edward Sapir claims that “language is a guide to social reality” and

reason, translation equivalence, like the term ‘unit of translation’, is

that human beings are at the mercy of the language that has become the

sometimes a useful operational concept, but it can be only roughly and

medium of expression for their society. Experience, he asserts, is largely

approximately indicated for a stretch of language.” [49, p.123]

determined by the language habits of the community, and each separate

Mentioning

translation

equivalence, Eugene

Nida

[51,

p.26]

structure represents a separate reality. He also affirms that “no two languages

distinguishes two types of equivalence: formal equivalence and dynamic

are ever sufficiently similar to be considered as representing the same social

equivalence. Formal equivalence focuses attention on the message itself, in

reality. The worlds in which different societies live are distinct worlds, not

both form (poetry to poetry, sentence to sentence, concept and concept) and

merely the same world, with different labels attached.” [24, p.13]

content (gloss translation, aim to allow the reader to understand as much of

Peter Newmark [49, p.94] indicates that culture is the way of life and

the SL context as possible). However, dynamic equivalence is based on the

its manifestations that are peculiar to a community that uses a particular

principle of equivalent effect, i.e. that the relationship between receiver and

language as its means of expression. Frequently, where there is cultural focus,

message should aim at being the same as that between the original receivers

there is a translation problem due to the cultural “gap” or “distance” between

and the SL message.

the SL and TL.

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J.C. Catford [25, p. 47] claims that SL and TL texts or items are

equivalence conditions and modifies both the other elements. Equivalence

translation equivalents when they are interchangeable in a given situation.

overall results from the relation between signs themselves, the relationship

Catford's approach to translation equivalence clearly differs from that adopted

between signs what they stand for and those who use them.

by Nida since Catford had a preference for a more linguistic-based approach

In general, to achieve translation equivalence requires translators to

to translation and this approach is based on the linguistic work of Firth and

produce the same effect (or one as close as possible) on the readership of the

Halliday. Catford proposed very broad types of translation in terms of three

translation as was obtained on the readership of the original. The translation

criteria: the extent of translation (full translation vs. partial translation); the

equivalence is showed in some rules and principles which are very useful for

grammatical rank at which the translation equivalence is established (rank-

the translators. The focus is to assure the equivalence in translation of

bound translation vs. unbounded translation); the levels of language involved

participants for translating to take place smoothly and effectively. These

in translation (total translation vs. restricted translation).

principles help people best achieve their goals not only in communication but

Moreover, Popovic [23, p.25] distinguishes translation equivalence
into four types:

also in translating: exchanging information and establishing and maintaining
social relations.

(1) Linguistic equivalence, where there is homogeneity on the linguistic
level of both SL and TL texts, i.e. word for word translation.

2.2.1.4. Translation Methods
In order to have a good translated version, the translator should have

(2) Paradigmatic equivalence, where there is equivalence of the

knowledge about translation theory. When we mention translation, we also

elements of a paradigmatic expressive axis, i.e. elements of grammar, which

refer to a process which involves the negotiation of meaning between

Popovic sees as being a higher category than lexical equivalence.

producers and receivers of texts. Translation plays such an important role in

(3) Stylistic (translational) equivalence, where there is “functional
equivalence of elements in both original and translation aiming at an
expressive identity with an invariant of identical meaning”.
(4) Textual (syntagmatic) equivalence, where there is equivalence of
the syntagmatic structuring of a text, i.e. equivalence of form and shape.
In trying to solve the problem of translation equivalence, Newbert [47]

life that there have been many researchers who mention it with many different
methods.
Peter Newmark [49, p.24] mentions the difference between translation
methods and translations. He indicates that, "While translation methods relate
to whole texts, translations are used for sentences and the smaller units of
language". He goes on to refer to the following methods of translation:

postulates that translation equivalence must be considered a semiotic category

(1) Word-for-word translation: is the process the SL word order is

consisting of the components (syntactic, semantic and pragmatic). These

preserved and the words translated singly by their most common meanings,

components are arranged in a hierarchical relationship, where semantic

out of context.

equivalence takes priority over syntactic equivalence and pragmatic

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(2) Literal translation: is the process the SL grammatical constructions
are converted to their nearest TL equivalents, but the lexical words are again
translated singly, out of context.

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(3) Intersemiotic translation or transmutation (an interpretation of
verbal signs by means of nonverbal sign systems.)
The translation in these three types properly describes the process of

(3) Faithful translation: it attempts to produce the precise contextual

transferring from the SL to the TL. He goes on immediately to point to the

meaning of the original within the constraints of the TL grammatical

central problem in all types: while messages may serve as adequate

structures.

interpretations of code units or messages, there is ordinarily no full

(4) Semantic translation: differs from “faithful translation” only in as
far as it must take more account of the aesthetic value of the SL texts.
(5) Adaptation: is the freest form of translation, and is used mainly for

equivalence through translation.
Engene Nida [51] provides the model of the translation process
consisting of the following stages:

plays (comedies) and poetry; the themes, characters, plots are usually

SL

TL

preserved, the SL culture is converted to the TL culture and the text is

TEXT

TRANSLATION

Analysis

Restructuring

rewritten.
(6) Free translation: it produces the TL texts without the style, form, or
content of the original.
(7) Idiomatic translation: it reproduces the “message” of the original

but tends to distort nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms and
idioms where these do not exist in the original.
(8) Communicative translation: it attempts to render the exact
contextual meaning of the original in such a way that both content and
language are readily acceptable and comprehensible to the readership.

Transfer
For example:
SL

TL

HELLO

ÇA VA?

Friendly greeting on arrival

Decision to distinguish between forms
of greeting available

Mentioning linguistic aspects of translation, Roman Jakobson [38, p.
232-239] distinguishes three types of translation:

Transfer

(1) Intralingual translation, or rewording (an interpretation of verbal
signs by means of other signs in the same language)
(2) Interlingual translation or translation proper (an interpretation of
verbal signs by means of some other language)

Firth [24, p. 22] defines meaning as “a complex of relations of various
kinds between the component terms of a context of situation”. He points out
that, in determining what to use in English, the translators must:


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(1) Accept the untranslatability of the SL phrase in the TL phrase on

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Source Language (Bias)

Target Language (Bias)

Literal

Free

Faithful

Idiomatic

Semantic

Communicative

the linguistic level.
(2) Accept the lack of a similar cultural convention in the TL.

(3) Consider the range of the TL phrases available, having regard to the
presentation of class, status, age, sex of the speaker, his relation to the
listeners and the context of their meaning in the SL.
(4) Consider the significance of the phrase in its particular context- i.e.
as a moment of high tension in the dramatic text.
(5) Replace in the TL the invariant core of the SL phrase in its two

He admires that all of the translation versions in some degree contain
the both semantic and communicative, social and individual. According to

referential systems (the particular system of the text and the system of culture

Peter Newmark [48], in communicative translation approach, the only part of

out of which the text has sprung).

the meaning of the SL which is translated is the part which fits the TL

Moreover, dealing with translation methods, Levy [24, p. 22], the great

reader’s understanding of the identical message. In this translation, the

Czech translation scholar, insists that any contracting or omitting of difficult

translator has the right to modify, correct and improve the translation version,

expressions in translating was immoral. The translator, he believes, had the

but the translator has to consider what extents of the SL should be suitable to

responsibility of finding a solution to the most daunting of problems, and he

the knowledge, intelligence of the TL readers. Communicative translation

declares that the functional view must be adopted with regard not only to

addresses itself solely to the second reader, who does not anticipate

meaning but also to style and form. The translator cannot be the author of the

difficulties or obscurities, and would expect a generous transfer of foreign

SL texts, but as the author of the TL texts has a clear moral responsibility to

elements into his own culture as well as his language where necessary.

the TL readers.

Communicative translation is likely to be smoother, simpler, clearer, more

In brief, there are different methods of translation and each method has

direct and more conventional, conforming to a particular register of language.

its own strong and weak points. A good translator, then, is a person who

Communicative translation emphasizes “the force” rather than the content of

flexibly applies the suitable method or effectively combines these methods in

the message.

his or her texts.

Semantic translation, in contrast, is a translation in which the translator

2.2.1.5. Communicative Translation and Semantic Translation

is loyal to the author of the SL. It means that he has to translate the meaning

Differently from other authors, basing on the points of view of reader,

of the SL material into the TL text. However, if the text is not updated, the

Peter Newmark [48, p. 39] makes a distinction between two kinds of

translation version has to be put into modern language. Semantic translation

translation; semantic and communicative.

attempts to render, as closely as the semantic and syntactic structures of the

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second language, the exact contextual meaning of the original. Semantic

in our daily communication. Therefore, there have been a lot of researches

translation remains within the original culture and assists the readers only in

about English euphemism because of its importance and prominence.

its connotations if they constitute the essential human (non-ethnic) message of

In “Introduction to Semantics and Translation”, Katherine Barnwell

the text. Semantic translation would be more informative but less effective.

gives a definition that “A euphemism is the use of an expression which has a

Semantic translation tends to be more complex, more awkward, more

meaning quite different from its apparent surface meaning. It is an indirect

detailed, more concrete and pursues the thought-processes rather than the

way of saying something, usually used in order to avoid being offensive”. [23,

intention of the transmitter. It tends to overtranslate, to be more specific than

p. 98]

the original and to include more meanings in its search for one nuance of
meaning.

Allan and Burridge [21, p. 57] define euphemism as “an alternative to
a dispreferred expression, in order to avoid possible loss of face: either one’s

In summary, a translator who wants to be successful in his translation

own face or, through giving offense, that of the audience, or of some third

needs to know how to combine these two methods fluently because there are

party”. The dispreferred expression may be taboo, fearsome, distasteful, or

often sections in one text that require both semantic and communicative

some expressions with negative connotations.

translation. Moreover, if we use only one method, the translation might be

According to Galperin [31, p. 76], "Euphemism is a word or phrase

rigid and less flexible. So, accuracy, clarity and flexibility are highly needed

used to replace an unpleasant word or expression by a conventionally

in the language transfer. For this reason, the translators tend to combine

acceptable one". The origin of the term “euphemism” discloses the aim of the

communicative and semantic methods appropriately, sensibly in their

device very clearly, i.e. speaking well (from Greek - eu = well + pheme =

translation process.

speaking). He also shows that euphemism is sometimes figuratively called "a

2.2.2. Euphemisms

whitewashing device". According to him, euphemisms may be divided into

2.2.2.1. Concepts and Definitions of Euphemisms

several groups according to their spheres of application. The most recognized

It is obviously that euphemism is one language performance form

spheres are the following: 1) religious, 2) moral, 3) medical, 4) parliamentary.

which people seek in the social communication. It is created for ideal

In “Style Guide”, Pam [55, p. 620] defines euphemisms as “the fine-

communication effect because of its powerful abilities. Together with

sounding words and phrases we used for things which are not so fine or

increasingly enhancement of social civilization, speech skill and good

beautiful. The word itself goes back to the Greeks and Greek civilization,

interpersonal relationship also profoundly affect our life, thus, more and more

suggesting that they had found the need for inoffensive expressions to refer to

euphemisms will be produced in the language. Euphemism has been always

what was unpalatable, unacceptable and unmentionable in their culture".

played an important part in English and especially it is chiefly the core point

Moreover, Geoffrey Leech [43, p. 102] insists that “euphemism is the
practice of referring to something offensive or delicate in terms that make it


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sound more pleasant or becoming than it really is”. Therefore, people use

“nhã ngữ là một biến thể của uyển ngữ, trong ñó những từ ngữ nhã nhặn, lịch

euphemisms to get rid of the negative meaning or connotation the word or

sự ñược dùng ñể thay thế những từ ngữ thô lỗ, khó nghe, không ñúng mực”.

topic.

2.2.2.2. Characteristic Features of Euphemisms
Euphemistic expressions occur at all levels of society, but throughout

a. Universality

the history people have found certain areas to be more uncomfortable and

Universality is something that is well-known and accepted by all of the

unpleasant to discuss than others. These include sex, death, killing, crime,

people. Though euphemism is indirect and it doesn’t come straight to the

diseases and different functions of the human body.

point, people can easily infer its deeper implication. Some taboos connecting

Mentioning euphemism, Crystal [26, p. 61] claims that “euphemisms

with sex, death, or body functions are replaced by euphemisms. And the

are the use of a vague or indirect expression in place of one which is thought

public has accepted this kind of use. For when we refer to death, we seldom

to be unpleasant, embarrassing or offensive. Euphemisms are typically used

say “die”. For example, in the sentence “David … fell asleep and was laid

to replace expressions to do with death, sexual activities and other bodily

with his fathers”, the phrase “fell asleep” is an indirect way of saying “died”.

functions”.

b. National feature

In Vietnamese, Trương Viên proposes a definition of euphemism in his

There is no doubt that each language has its own euphemism, the

doctoral dissertation “uyển ngữ (euphemism) là một từ hay một ngữ cố ñịnh

meanings of which are quite clear to a native speaker of the language. This is

ñược cấu tạo lại, diễn ñạt lại một nội dung ñã có ñể thể hiện một cách thích

the national feature of euphemism. For example, in Vietnam, it is natural for

hợp, tế nhị, thẩm mỹ; là lời nói ñược sử dụng trong những tình huống hay văn

people to experience adult, middle age, old age and death. However, to

bản giao tiếp lịch sự, sang trọng, ñầy tri thức văn hóa, liên quan ñến cái ñẹp

westerners, old age means worthless and the old will be looked down upon or

trong việc dùng từ ngữ.”. [19]

even deserted. Therefore, no one would like to admit that he is old. People

Đinh Trọng Lạc [3, p. 18] mentions that “uyển ngữ (euphemism) là

dread about old age so much that they see the word “old” as a taboo. Instead,

hình ảnh tu từ trong ñó người ta thay tên gọi một ñối tượng (hoặc một hiện

various indirect ways of referring to “old” was used: “the advanced in age”,

tượng) bằng sự miêu tả những dấu hiệu cơ bản của nó, hoặc bằng việc nêu

“the mature”, “the longer living”, “seasoned man”, “senior citizens”,etc.

lên những nét ñặc biệt của nó, tạo hình cho lời nói vì nó không chỉ tạo nên ñối
tượng mà còn miêu tả ñối tượng nhã ngữ”.

c. Indirectness
One of the essential aspects of euphemism is to avoid mentioning some

He also distinguishes between “uyển ngữ” and “nhã ngữ”. However, he

unpleasant phenomenon or arrangements directly. In other words, people used

finally concludes that “nhã ngữ” is a variant of “uyển ngữ”, in which pleasant

an indirect way to mention these unpleasant topics. Therefore, indirectness is

and decent words are used to replace for impolite, harsh or unacceptable ones

obviously one of the main features of euphemism. For example, in western
countries, compared with mental work, physical labor is regarded as humble

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and inferior. People always use euphemistic ways to describe such jobs. This

am in my birthday suit”. Both of them immediately burst into laughter. “In

indirect feature is common in a lot of professions such as: beautician = hair

one’s birthday suit” is one of euphemistic words about nakedness.

dresser, elevator = member of the vertical transportation corps, under-take =
funeral service practitioner, mechanic = automobile engineer, dustman =
sanitary engineer.
d. Localization

g. Figurative feature
As a stylistic device, euphemisms are figurative. Euphemisms can be
achieved by many stylistic devices such as circumlocution, metonymy,
hyperbole and understatement, and so on. We can find figurative expressions

Different regions have different customs, history, culture and these

like “the cavalry’s come” for “I’ve got my period” and “go to the happy

differences embody the localization of language. Many euphemisms are

hunting grounds” for “die”. Or a metaphor for “vagina” is “the miraculous

related to the folklore and its localization is clear. People comprehend the

pitcher that holds water with the mouth downfalls”.

notion of so-called euphemism in different ways. For example, in the sentence

In fact, we use euphemisms to soften the reality of what we are

“He is in the bathroom”, American may think he is in the toilet but English

communicating to a given listener or reader; to avoid stimulating, comfort for

may consider that he is taking a bath because the word “bathroom” in British

the human. When replacing the taboo language, it can eliminate vulgarly and

English has the meaning of “bathing” but in American English, it becomes to

give people elegant impression. Simultaneously, euphemisms sometimes may

be a substitution of toilet.

be showy and also have the sense of humor. Being good at euphemizing is a

e. Obscure feature

manifestation of high accomplishment, but using it excessively will give

A lot of euphemisms make use of obscurity in language. This

people affected feeling. Therefore, we must pay attention to the usage of

euphemistic way can enlarge the meanings of some words. We often say “He

euphemisms in our daily communication to make our life more colorful.

is unwise” or “He is mentally challenged” instead of using “He is stupid”. The

2.2.2.3. Euphemisms and other linguistic units

use of such words or phases as “unwise” or “mentally challenged” could be

a. Euphemisms and Dysphemisms

more politely.

According to Allan and Burridge [21, p.26], “a dysphemism is an

f. Humorous feature

expression with connotations that are offensive and it is substituted for

The use of euphemism can increase the sense of humor. This makes

neutral or euphemistic expression for just that reason”. In referring to a

interactions between people more interesting. For example, once a man was

particular communicative intention in a given context, speaker must choose

bathing without locking his door, one of his friends rushed into his room for

either to use or not to use a euphemism in order to create a certain effect on a

emergency and found he was naked. They both felt embarrassed. Then the

given occasion. For example, when referring to one’s death, we can say “He

man with nothing on said, “You are the one besides my mother who has seen I

passed away” or “He kicked the bucket”. Obviously, the second is
intentionally dysphemistic by comparison with the first.


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Like euphemisms, dysphemisms are motivated by fear and distaste, but

words, the safest way to talk about these taboos is to use euphemisms.

also by hatred and contempt; and in contrast to euphemisms, they are

Therefore, it can be said that taboo is one of the motives for the formation of

motivated by the desire to offensively demonstrate such feelings and to

euphemisms.

downgrade the denotatum or addressee when deliberately used.

“Taboo is a cultural or religious custom that forbids people to do,

Euphemisms and dysphemisms may seem self-contradiction, but in fact

touch, use or talk about a certain thing” (Oxford Dictionary) [54, 1213]. A

they are not. Euphemistic dysphemism and dysphemistic euphemisms have

taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any areas of human activity or

locutions which are at odds with their illocutionary point. The expletive

social custom declared as sacred and forbidden. The term was originally

“Shit!”, which typically expresses anger, frustration, or anguish, is ordinarily

borrowed from Tongan “tapu” or the Fijian “tabu”. These words usually

a dysphemism. However, it is remodeled as euphemism “Sugar, Shoot, or

mean “not allowed” or “forbidden”. The use of the word “taboo” in English

Shilvers”. It is clear that the locution is recognized as euphemism even

was dated back in 1777 by an English explorer, Captain James Cook.

though the illocutionary act might be dysphemistic. So these expressions are

Euphemisms can eventually taboo words themselves through a process

considered as euphemistic dysphemisms. Similarly, there exist some

called the euphemisms treadmill by Pinker. In this process over the course of

dysphemistic euphemisms. For example, terms referring to menstruation such

time, a word that was originally adopted as a euphemism acquires the

as have the curse, woman’s complaint, be feeling that way, off the roof, and so

negative connotations of the original word. The process can happen many

on are dysphemistic euphemisms for some occasions. With dysphemistic

times, and may still continue to be happening. An example of this is

euphemisms, the locution is dysphemistic, but the illocution is not.

euphemisms for the word “toilet”, it can be referred to as “WC, bathroom,

b. Euphemisms and Taboo

loo, the smallest room”, and “I am just going to powder my nose”, all of

According to Peter Pam [55, p.741], “taboo words are words that many

which avoid using the word “toilet”.

people avoid because of the offensive they may give”. Taboos can include

Taboo words and expressions are perhaps less obvious in our society

restrictions on sexual activities, gender roles and relationships with other

than euphemisms, which are used to “dress up” certain areas in life. Hence

people (e.g. fornication, adultery, interreligious marriage, homosexuality,

the use of euphemisms becomes more presentable. Euphemistic words and

incest, bestiality and so on.); restrictions of bodily functions (burping,

expressions allow us to talk about unpleasant things and neutralize the

flatulence, urination, masturbation, nose picking and spitting) in public;

unpleasantness. They also allow us to give labels to unpleasant matters in an

restrictions on state genitalia; restrictions on showing body parts

attempt to make them sound better.

(pornography and nudity); restrictions on gestures; restrictions on the use of

c. Euphemisms and Slang

offensive language known as obscenity and vulgarity. In order to avoid

“Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not

referring to these restrictions, a pleasant kind of words is resorted. In other

considered standard in the speaker’s dialect or language. It is often used as a

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way to say words that are not appropriate. It is often not found in the

euphemisms instead of using some simple value-laden jargons. We can say

standard dictionary for the language” (Wiki.)

“These students are educationally and socially disadvantaged” (not These

Slang refers to informal lexical items used by a special group such as

student are lazy), or “They are underachievers” (not stupid). Not all jargons

musicians, soldiers, prisoners, teenagers, thieves and so forth. The peculiar

are euphemistic or dysphemistic. There is a portion of jargon remaining the

property of slang is to be esoteric; hence slang is often understood by a certain

outsiders of any particular social group.

social group itself. For example, slang terms are only used by Londoners in

2.2.3. Semantic Characteristics of English Words

Cockney such as “needle and pin” for “gin”; “bees and honey” for “money”;

2.2.3.1. Word Meaning

“storm and strife” for “wife”.

As we all know, communication becomes more and more a crucial

There is a relationship between slang and euphemism when referring to

factor in social organization and meaning plays such an important role in

some decent topics, especially taboo ones. Some slang terms are considered

communication. Meaningless utterances have no value in communication;

conventional euphemisms such as the use of “over-shoulder boulder-holders”

they can only make their language users a laughing stock, which is why

for “bra”; or the use of “doodle, diddle, dink, dong” for “penis”.

understanding the meaning is very important for the language users. The

d. Euphemisms and Jargons

meaning of a word is not merely the result you get from your search in a good

Newmark [50, p.131] defines jargon as “an idiom peculiar to a trade or

dictionary because it depends on many factors concerned.

profession, an occupational register of language, or an esoteric slang

In “Meaning in English”, Lesley Jeffries [39, p.124] states that

unintelligible to the layman”. Actually, jargons are technical words or

“meaning is a kind of invisible unclothed being waiting for the clothes of

expressions used by a particular profession or group of people and hard for

language to allow it to be seen, which is why it is very necessary to take off

others to understand. The jargons are well known in the English language: the

the clothes of language to understand the real meaning of words, phrases, and

jargon of thieves and vagabonds, the jargon of surgeons, the jargon of the

sentences”. For example, “the red flag at the seaside of a resort” means

army, the jargon of sportsmen, the jargon of procurers or procuresses, and

“danger”.

many others. For example, the word “grease” means “money”; “loaf” means
“head”; “a trick or a john” means “a prostitute’s client”.
The subject matter plays an important role in recognizing the jargons as
euphemisms or dysphemisms. Some euphemistic jargons are common in

In the book “Semantics”, Geoffrey Leech [43, p.121] shows seven types
of meaning:
a. Conceptual meaning (sometimes called “denotative” or “cognitive”
meaning)

funerals’ language such as remains (=corpse), long home (=graveyard),

Denotative meaning refers to the literal meaning of a word. For

sanitary treatment (=embalmment), dismal trade (= the arrangement of

example, the meaning of the word woman can be specified as +human, -male,

funerals for payment). In the field of education, people tend to use


26

+adult. Three properties “human”, “adult”, and “female” provide a criterion
of the correct use of the word woman.

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e. Reflected meaning
Reflected meaning is the meaning which arises in case of multiple

b. Connotative meaning

conceptual meaning, when one sense of a word forms part of our response to

Connotative meaning is the communicative value an expression has by

another sense.

virtue of what it refers to, over and above its purely conceptual meaning.

f. Collocative meaning

In other words, according to him, it refers to the associations that are

Collocative meaning consists of the associations a word acquires on

connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word.

account of the meanings of words which tend to occur in its environment. For

The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the denotative

example: “pretty” and “handsome” share common ground in the meaning

meanings. The connotations for the word woman can include not only its

‘good-looking’, but may be distinguished by the range of nouns with which

denotative meaning but concomitants of womanhood (“capable of speech”,

they are likely to co-occur or collocate: pretty girl, boy, flower, garden, etc.

“experienced in cookery”, “skirt-or-dress wearing”) as well as some

and handsome boy, man, car, vessel, etc.

traditional attitudes such as frail, prone to tears, emotional or other qualities
such as beautiful, gentle, compassionate, sensitive, and hard-working.
c. Stylistic meaning

g. Thematic meaning
Thematic meaning is what communicated by the way in which the
message is organized in terms of order and emphasis.

Stylistic meaning is that which a piece of language conveys about the

Moreover, mentioning word meaning, in “Semantics and Translation”,

social circumstances of its use. In this style of meaning, a word can be

Katherine Barnwell [23, p. 60-64] analyses meaning with five different kinds

recognized by the typical dimensions: Individuality (the language of Mr X, of

of associative meaning, in which includes: connotative meaning, stylistic

Mrs Y, and so on); Dialect (the language of a geographical region or of a

(social) meaning, affective meaning, reflected meaning, collocative meaning.

social class); Time (the language of the eighteen century, ect); Style (the

2.2.3.2. Sense Relations

language of poetry, the language of journalism, and so forth); Singularity (the

In order to understand euphemisms comprehensively, we must rely

style of Dickens, of Hemingway, ect...).
d. Affective meaning

upon the uses of themselves through various types of meaning as well as in
the relations of senses.

According to Leech [43, p.125], affective meaning is often explicitly
conveyed through the denotative or connotative content of the words used. He

- Polysemy: James Hurford (1997) defines “A case of polysemy is one
where a word has several very closely related senses.” [35, p.123]

also claims that affective meaning is largely a parasitic category in the sense

Ex: Mouth (of a river vs. of an animal) is a case of polysemy. The two

that to express our emotions we rely upon the mediation of other categories of

senses are clearly related by the concepts of an opening from the interior of

meaning – denotative, connotative, or stylistic.

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some solid mass to the outside, and of a place of issue at the end of some long

emotional tone, generality or technicality and, finally, in the pragmatic effect

narrow channel.

of its sound composition.

- Synonymy: Lyons [40, p.165] defines two expressions as full
synonymous if the following conditions are met:
• All their meanings are identical
• They are synonyms in all contexts

2.2.4. Classification of Euphemisms and Theorists’ Ways for
Translation of Euphemisms
2.2.4.1. Classification of Euphemisms
Euphemism can be classified into many categories according to

• They are semantic equivalent in all aspects of their meaning

different criteria, rules or principles. For instance, euphemism can be divided

- Homonymy: According to James Hurford [35], a case of homonymy

into euphemism in the Middle Ages, euphemism in the Victorian Age,

is one of an ambiguous word whose different senses are far apart from each

euphemism in the twentieth century, and contemporary euphemism. In terms

other and not obviously related to each other in any way. For example,

of the prevailing time, whether it is long or short, euphemism can be divided

“Bank” (the edge of a river vs. a financial institution) makes a good example

into temporary euphemism and persistent euphemism.

of homonymy. So does the word “Ba” in Vietnamese, which suggests both
“father” and “three”.

There is no uniform standard, but the motives of the different
classifications are to discover and understand the characteristics of

- Antonymy: Antonymy is the relation of opposite meanings.

euphemism from different angles. The following is a brief introduction to

For example: Good/Bad; Fast/Slow are some examples of antonymy.

some representative classifications of euphemism.

2.2.3.3.Componential Analysis in Translation

a. Positive Euphemism and Negative Euphemism

The basic process in translation is to compare a SL word with a TL

Hugh Rawson [57, p. 211] divides euphemisms into two general

word which has a similar meaning, but it not an obvious one-to-one

types—positive and negative. Positive euphemisms can also be called stylistic

equivalent, by demonstrating first their common and then their differing sense

euphemisms or exaggerating euphemisms. “The positive ones inflate and

components. The SL word normally has a more specific meaning than the TL

magnify, making the euphemized items seem altogether grander and more

word, and the translator has to add one or two TL sense components to the

important than they really are.”. In order to avoid thrill, to be polite or to

corresponding TL word in order to produce a closer approximation of

achieve cooperation, British and American people, especially contemporary

meaning. The sense components of a lexical unit may be referential and/ or

Americans, prefer using the technique of exaggeration to euphemize

pragmatic. Comprehensively, a SL word may be distinguished from a TL

something unpleasant and embarrassing.

word on the one hand in the composition, shape, size and function of its

The positive euphemisms include the many fancy occupational titles,

referent; on the other hand, in its cultural context and connotations, as well as

which save the egos of workers by elevating their job status. For example,

in its currency, period, social class usage and its degree of formality,

“exterminating engineers” for “ratcatchers”, “beautician” for “hairdressers”.


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“The negative euphemisms deflate and diminish. They are defensive in nature,

Conscious euphemisms are widely employed, which involve more

offsetting the power of tabooed terms and otherwise eradicating from the

complex categories. When people communicate with each other, speakers are

language everything that people prefer not to deal with directly.” [57, p.214]

conscious to say tactfully, and the listeners understand their implied

The negative euphemisms can be called traditional euphemisms or

meanings. For example, when a lady stands up and says that she wants to

narrowing euphemism. They are extremely ancient, and closely connected

“powder her nose” or “make a phone call” at a dinner party, the people

with the taboos. A euphemism and its corresponding taboo are in fact two

present realize the euphemism means “something else”, that is, “going to the

faces of the same coin. They refer to the same thing though they have

ladies’ room”.

different looks, the euphemism having a much more pleasant face than the

c. Semantic Classifications of Euphemism

taboo. In many cultures, it is forbidden to pronounce the name of God. So
there are euphemisms such as “Jeeze”, “Jeepers Creepers” , or “Gee” for

Beside the divisions mentioned above, according to their contents
concerned, euphemisms can be semantically divided into:

“Jesus”, “Jesus Christ” or “Christ”, “Goodness” for “God” or “My Gum” for

• Euphemisms expressing death

“My God”. The names of the tabooed subjects as the dead, and the animals

• Euphemisms expressing sex

that are hunted or feared, may also be euphemized this way.

• Euphemisms expressing pregnancy

b. Conscious Euphemism and Unconscious Euphemism

• Euphemisms expressing childbirth

Euphemisms, whether positive or negative, can be divided into

• Euphemisms expressing prostitutes

unconscious euphemisms and conscious euphemisms. The criterion is the

• Euphemisms expressing genitals

euphemistic meaning whether correlative with the original meaning or not.

• Euphemisms expressing occupation

Unconscious euphemisms, as its name implies, were developed long

• Euphemisms expressing unemployment

ago, and are used unconsciously, without any intent to deceive or evade. For

• Euphemisms expressing disease…

example, “Indisposition” has been a substitute for “disease” for a long period;

2.2.4.2. Theorists’ Ways for Translation of Euphemisms

people seldom realize that its original meaning is incapable of dealing with
something. Or “Dieter”, the original meaning “taking food by a rule or

Mentioning translation of euphemisms, in “Semantics and Translation”,
Katharine Barnwell [23, p.68] states that:

regulation” has been substituted by the euphemistic meaning “the one
moderate in eating and dining for loosing weight”. From the above we can

• Sometimes a euphemism in the SL can be translated by a direct
form in the TL.

conclude that unconscious euphemisms were developed so long ago that few
can remember their original motivations.

• Sometimes a euphemism in the SL has to be translated by a
euphemism in the TL, often quite different in form but having equivalent
meaning in the TL.

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• Sometimes something which is referred to directly in the SL may
have to be translated by a euphemism in the TL in order to avoid an

• a euphemism in the SL is translated by an equivalent euphemism in
the TL.
• a euphemism in the SL is translated by a non-equivalent one in the

expression which would be offensive in the target culture.
According to M. L. Larson [42, p. 87], a euphemism in the SL needs to

TL.

be translated by an equivalent euphemism in the TL. It is important that the

In summary, this chapter has presented the theories on translation,

translator must recognize the euphemistic nature of euphemism in SL and

semantics, concepts, general features of euphemisms, classification of

translate it into TL with euphemistic equivalence.

euphemisms and theorists’ ways of translation of euphemisms to support the

As stated by Alan Duff

in “Translation” [21, p. 144 ], idiomatic

investigation to count the percentage of each way used in translating

expressions are notoriously untranslatable. These include similes, euphemism,

euphemisms from English into Vietnamese and then give some remarks on

proverbs and saying, jargon, slang and colloquialisms and phrasal verbs. He

the popularity of each way.

also shows that if the expressions can not be directly translated, try any of the
following:
- Retain the original word, in inverted commas: “phở” , “chèo”
- Retain the original expression with a literal explanation in brackets:
“áo dài”(a long close-fitting blouse)
The golden rule is: if the idiom does not work in the TL, do not force it
into translation.
As we know, in reality, there are a lot of euphemisms with high
idiomatic and sometimes we must use metaphor to reach to euphemistic
nature of euphemisms. As a result, this principle of Alan Duff can be
employed in translating euphemisms.
In short, due to some limitations of time and materials, in this thesis, the
author has just only carried out an investigation on the translation of
euphemisms expressing death, sex, pregnancy and childbirth basing on ways
of translation of euphemism, namely:
• a euphemism in the SL is translated by a direct form in the TL.


34

CHAPTER 3

METHOD AND PROCEDURE

35

- Collecting and classifying euphemisms due to theorists’ ways of
translating euphemisms and drawing some conclusion on the frequency of
each way used in translating euphemisms.

3.1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

- Simultaneously, describing and analyzing the collected data to find

3.1.1. Aims
This study aims:

out main approaches taken by translators in translating euphemism from

- To identify how euphemism is translated from English into

English into Vietnamese.
3.3. METHOD OF RESEARCH

Vietnamese.
- To come to main approaches taken by translators in translating
euphemism from English into Vietnamese.

To fulfill the aim of the study, the main methods to be used are
quantitative method and qualitative method.
The quantitative method in the study is conducted by calculating the

3.1.2. Objectives
To achieve the above-stated aims, the following objectives are
identified:

percentage of each way used in translating euphemism from English into
Vietnamese and arranges these ways in the preference.

- Examine ways of translating figures of speech in general and of
euphemism in particular as discussed by translation theorists.
- Examine how these ways are manifested in literary works translated
from English into Vietnamese.

The qualitative method in this study is mainly based on pairs in which
the SL is English and the TL is Vietnamese.
Library research is used for literature review, in which different
approaches to translation of euphemism are presented and contrasted to find

- Decide if any generalizations can be made of ways adopted by
translators when translating euphemism from English into Vietnamese.
- And finally put forward some considerations and recommendations
for translation of euphemisms and for teaching and learning this figure of
speech.

out the ways which are used more popularly than the others. Simultaneously,
main approaches taken by translators in translating euphemism from English
into Vietnamese are also analyzed and presented.
3.4. DATA COLLECTION AND DESCRIPTION
Data collection has been carried out on translated works of literature

3.2. RESEARCH DESIGN

from English into Vietnamese. Data are collected from printed sources or

This research is a combination of qualitative and quantitative
approaches to carry out an investigation into translating euphemisms as seen
in contemporary translated works from English into Vietnamese. The research
design is planned to carry out such important things as:

from the Internet. An estimated corpus of about 500 euphemisms translated
from English into Vietnamese is taken from short stories, novels, etc. written
in British English or American English and translated into Vietnamese by
different authors.

- Providing some basic theoretical concepts related to translation,
semantics as well as theories of euphemisms.

36

3.5. RESEARCH PROCEDURES
The steps involved in the study are as follows:
- Collecting euphemisms from some various bilingual sources
translated from English into Vietnamese.

37

CHAPTER 4

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. THE WAYS OF ENGLISH-VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION OF
EUPHEMISMS AS MANIFESTED IN TRANSLATED WORKS

- Doing literature work.

4.1.1. Translation of Euphemisms Expressing Death.

- Sorting out euphemisms translated according to different categories.

Nowadays, life is much better than it used to be, and for most people

- Sorting out euphemisms translated according to different ways.

death no longer comes as a welcome release. It is hard to view human

- Examining the frequency of occurrence of each way that translators

existence solely as preparation for death, and to be consoled by the thought of

choose when translating euphemisms from English into Vietnamese and

a better future life. The inevitability of death as a natural event was also

putting them in order of frequency.

something that never used to be questioned. In English, death is a Fear-based

- Calculating the exact percentage for each way used in translating
euphemism.

Taboo. Death taboos are motivated by the following fears: a) Fear of the loss
of loved ones; b) Fear of the corruption and disintegration of the body with

- Putting forward some considerations and recommendations for

which one has so long been familiar in life is suddenly to become abhorrent;

translation of euphemisms and for teaching and learning this figure of speech.

c) Death is the end of life, and there is fear of what follows – there can be no
first hand experience of death for the living; d) Fear of the malevolent spirits,
or the souls of the dead. People feel terrified of death and they extremely
reluct to name it directly, thus, it is not to be used when talking to people in
normal daily polite conversations. In an attempt to find more socially
acceptable terms and also to keep death at arm’s length by masking its reality,
people may use various euphemisms – mild, indirect or vague terms.
In the Vietnamese language, there is also a long list of euphemisms for
death or dying, which are in common with the ones in the English language.
The aim of those words is to lessen the pain and sorrow of the deceased’s
family, relatives and friends and to show sympathy for them.
The translation of euphemisms expressing death from English into
Vietnamese as manifested in translated works can be either direct, equivalent
or non-equivalent. Let us have a look at the following examples:


38

39

<1> “No, Meggie, Hal’s not better in the way you mean, but he’s at
peace. He’s gone to God, he’s out of his pain.”

[27, p.87]

SL Text

TL Text
Hal ñã trở về với Chúa

He’s gone to God

- Không, Meggie ạ. Hal không ñỡ chút nào như con mong, em ñã yên
nghỉ rồi. Hal ñã trở về với Chúa, thế là không còn ñau khổ nữa.

[16, p.92]

In English speaking countries, Christianity is the most popular religion.
As for them, Christians would be free from the burden of original sins if they

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: gone to God

Euphemism: trở về với Chúa
Transfer

followed Jesus’ teachings and examples and believed in him as the Son of
God. Hence, according to them, death is regarded as being reunited with the
Father God or simply going home. So, “die” means “Gone to God”. In <1>,
the death of Hal is so shocking that the very words to denote it are avoided

SL Text

TL Text
thế là không còn ñau khổ

he’s out of his pain

and more neutral words “been at peace”, “gone to God”, “out of pain” are
used instead to lessen the regret and misery for the losses of his relatives.
Interestingly, very similar words are used in the TL text: “yên nghỉ”,
“trở về với Chúa”, “không còn ñau khổ”.

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: out of his pain

Euphemism: không còn ñau khổ

Let us look at the diagrams, based on a model by Nida:
SL Text

Transfer

TL Text
em ñã yên nghỉ rồi

he’s at peace.

<2> Only lately the day of my demise seems a lot closer than it used
to, and I feel . . . oh, I don’t know.

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: been at peace

Euphemism: yên nghỉ

[ 27, p.44]

Tôi có cảm giác là cái ngày của số mệnh gần kề và tôi tin rằng... Ồ! Tôi
không biết.

[16, p. 53]

Death is the end of life and in this situation, Mrs. Carson is in fear of
Transfer

her life, of what follows, thus, a very word to denote it is avoided and a
metaphorical expression “the day of my demise” is applied instead.
Equivalently, the expression “cái ngày của số mệnh” in the TL text is
also used:

40

41

SL Text

People have regarded death as the start of the soul’s journey into the

TL Text

the day of my demise seems a lot

cái ngày của số mệnh gần kề

closer than it used to

afterlife and to begin a new life. Therefore, they have buried the dead with all
sorts of paraphernalia to help them on the way. Accordingly, death is
represented euphemistically as a journey and the notion of death as a state of
rest from the pains of life. Similarly, some euphemistic words such as

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: the day of my demise

Euphemism: cái ngày của số mệnh
Transfer

“lying”, “lost”, “rest”, “sleep on”, “is gone” are used to denote Dane’s
death and equivalent words are used in the TL text: “nằm xuống”, “ñã mất”,
“yên giấc”.

<3>I wouldn’t have minded going, why did it have to be him? Why
couldn’t it have been me? I’m so old!

[27, p. 392]

Để cho tôi ra ñi có phải là ñơn giản hơn không. Tại sao lại là nó mà
không phải tôi?

[16, p.345]

Normally, we fear confrontation with death because of its strong
reminders of our own finiteness that we might dread to . And certainly, people
feel unworthy to be living when a person they love has died. In this case, the
death of Dane is so sudden that the word denoting it is avoided and a more

<4>He must come home! I’d hate to think of him lying somewhere far
from Drogheda.

[27, p. 391]

Dane phải trở về nhà! Mẹ không muốn em con nằm xuống ở một nơi
nào khác hơn là Drogheda.

[16, p.344]

SL Text

TL Text

I’d hate to think of him lying

Mẹ không muốn em con nằm

somewhere far from

xuống ở một nơi nào khác hơn

Drogheda

là Drogheda

neutral word “go” is used instead and a very similar word is used in the TL
text: “ra ñi”.
SL Text

TL Text
Để cho tôi ra ñi có phải

I wouldn’t have minded going

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: lying

Euphemism: nằm xuống

là ñơn giản hơn không

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: going

Euphemism: ra ñi
Transfer

Transfer

<5> ”Dane’s lost,” she said. “No one can find him; he’s been buried
somewhere on Crete.

[27, p.392]

- Dane ñã mất rồi. Meggie nói. Không ai có thể tìm ra thi thể Dane
ñược. Nó ñược chôn cất ở một nơi nào ñó trên ñảo Crete xa xôi!

[16, p.345]


42

43

SL Text

<7> yet, as it sometimes happens that a person departs this life who is

TL Text
Dane ñã mất rồi

Dane’s lost

really deserving of all the praises the stone cutter carves over his bones.
[60, p.6]
Song thỉnh thoảng cũng có những người từ giã cõi ñời này mà lại thực

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: lost

Euphemism: ñã mất

sự xứng ñáng với những lời xưng tụng bác thợ ñá khắc vào bia dựng trên nắm
xương tàn của họ.

Transfer

[17, p.15]

SL Text

TL Text
thỉnh thoảng cũng có

as it sometimes happens that
<6> Sleep on, Dane, because only the good die young. Why do we
mourn?

những người từ giã cõi

a person departs this life

ñời này

[27, p.396]

Dane, con hãy yên giấc, chỉ có những người ñược Chúa chọn mới chết
trẻ như con. Tại sao chúng ta lại ñau xót?

[16, p.352]

SL Text

TL Text

Sleep on, Dane

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: departs this life

Euphemism: giã cõi ñời

Dane, con hãy yên giấc
Transfer

<8> and so descended to the grave, after two bailiffs had quarrelled

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: sleep on

Euphemism: yên giấc
Transfer

over his corpse.

[60, p.11]

Rồi ông ta nằm xuống mộ, sau khi ñã bị hai viên mõ tòa cãi lộn nhau
trên thi thể mình.

[17, p. 24]

SL Text
There is belief that after death, the soul of a dead man will, in some

TL Text

and so descended to the grave

Rồi ông ta nằm xuống mộ

shape or form, goes to the land of death, which is sometimes considered a

happy place, but sometimes a place of sadness. Often, the land of death seems
to be a continuation of the current life but in another type of existence. Thus,

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: descended to the grave

Euphemism: nằm xuống mộ

people are less apt to “die” and more apt to “pass on” or “pass away” or
“depart this life” or “descend to the grave” or “go out this world” as in the

Transfer

following examples:

44

45

<9> Mr. Crawley had tended that otherwise friendless bedside. She
went out of the world strengthened by such words and comfort as he could
give her.

SL Text

TL Text

where Lady Crawley had slept

nơi Crawley phu nhân trước kia ñã

her last

ngủ giấc ngủ cuối cùng của ñời bà

[60, p. 111]

Crawley cũng ñã săn sóc bên giường bệnh của con người trơ trọi kia.
Anh ta cũng ñã hết sức ngọt ngào an ủi, tiếp thêm sức mạnh cho bà khỏe
khoắn từ giã cõi trần.

[17, p. 139]

SL Text

TL Text

She went out of the world

Bà khỏe khoắn từ giã cõi trần

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: went out of the world

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: slept her last

Euphemism: ngủ giấc ngủ cuối cùng
Transfer

<11> Wayne... sleeping peacefully and eternally, free from pain.

Euphemism: từ giã cõi trần

Uâynơ ... ñang ngủ giấc yên bình và vĩnh cữu, xa lìa những khổ ñau.
[19, p. 49]

Transfer
SL Text

The death is often compared as a sleep with the purpose to lessen the
regret and misery for the losses of relatives and friends. We can see the

TL Text
Uâynơ ... ñang ngủ giấc

Wayne... sleeping peacefully

yên bình và vĩnh cữu, xa lìa

and eternally, free from pain

những khổ ñau

similarity between a sleeping body and a dead one, and sleep has often been
regarded as a temporary death, a period when the soul leaves the body to
return when it awakens. For this reason, “sleep” is a common euphemism for
“die” to pretend that as mentioned below:
<10> with the handles muffled up in paper, into the great front
bedroom, where Lady Crawley had slept her last.

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: sleeping

Euphemism: ñang ngủ giấc

peacefully and eternally

yên bình và vĩnh cữu
Transfer

[60, p.53]

Những tay nắm trên những cánh cửa trong gian phòng này cũng ñều
bọc giấy kín; cuối cùng hai người ñi ñến phòng ngủ, nơi Crawley phu nhân
trước kia ñã ngủ giấc ngủ cuối cùng của ñời bà.

[17, p.78]

In some cases, the euphemisms expressing death in the SL text can be
translated by non equivalent euphemisms or by a direct form in TL text as
follows:


46

47

<12> It’s so far away! How could he rest so far from Drogheda?
[27, p. 392]

<14> who IS a good Christian, a good parent, child, wife, or husband;
who actually DOES leave a disconsolate family to mourn his loss.

Không thể ñể Dane nằm xuống ở một nơi xa Drogheda ñến thế?
[16, p.345]
SL Text

người vợ hoặc người chồng xứng ñáng, và khi họ chết ñi, quả thực có khiến
cho thân nhân phải thương tiếc không sao nguôi ñược.

TL Text
Không thể ñể Dane nằm

How could he rest so far from

xuống ở một nơi xa

Drogheda?

Drogheda ñến thế?

SL Text

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: rest

Euphemism: nằm xuống

và khi họ chết ñi, quả thực có

who actually DOES leave a

khiến cho thân nhân thân

disconsolate family to mourn

nhân phải thương tiếc không
sao nguôi ñược

Dying, being killed

Transfer

[17, p.15]
TL Text

his loss
Dying, being killed

[60, p. 6]

nghĩa là một con chiên ngoan ñạo, một người bố, người mẹ, người con,

Chết ñi

Euphemism: loss
Transfer

<13> “ He is gone, and she must surely feel by now that you are gone,
too. After all, you haven’t even been home to visit her.”

ñi. Thật ra thì em chẳng hề thăm viếng bà.
SL Text

[16, p. 363]
TL Text
Dane ñã nằm xuống

He is gone

<15> Many years after her ladyship's demise, Sir Pitt led to the altar

[27, p. 409 ]

Dane ñã nằm xuống và bây giờ buộc bà phải nghĩ rằng em sẽ không ra

Dying, being killed

Chết, bị giết

Euphemism: is gone

Euphemism: nằm xuống
Transfer

Rosa.

[60, p. 49]
Vợ chết ñược một thời gian khá lâu, tôn ông Pitt mới dẫn cô Rosa ñến

bàn thờ Chúa làm lễ cưới.

[17, p. 64]

SL Text

TL Text

Many years after her

Vợ chết ñược một thời gian

ladyship's demise

khá lâu

Dying, being killed

Chết

Euphemism:ladyship's demise
Transfer

48

49

In these cases, plain expressions “chết ñi”,”chết” are used to translate
the euphemisms in the SL text.
SUMMARY
It is widely known that the real beauty of a language is what lies under
the shade of the literal meanings of the words of the language components.
People should bear in mind that meaning translation not only stops at word by
word translating because such translation, in many cases, leads to clumsy
transferring. In English and Vietnamese there are a lot of words relating to
death and when transferring a word denoting death in English into
Vietnamese, translators do not often go directly to the meanings of the words.
It is clear that experiencing the death of a loved one, or witnessing the death
of others can be one of the most profound events in one’s life and one’s
sudden death can leave his or her relatives and friends with unfinished
business with the deceased. Therefore, in English or Vietnamese, euphemisms
are used to show the commemoration and respect to the dead and sympathy
for his or her relatives.
In terms of frequency, the translation of euphemism expressing death
from the English language into Vietnamese is shown in the chart below:

Figure 4.1: Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism Expressing Death
in the SL Texts Transferred into the TL Texts
It can be seen clearly from the chart that there is a significantly
statistical difference between English and Vietnamese point of view in
expressing death. Among 100% of euphemisms expressing death in English
language that are transferred into Vietnamese, the equivalent euphemisms
account for 73%, the non-equivalent euphemisms account for 13% and the
direct form account for 14%. However, the discrepancy is not remarkable.
4.1.2. Translation of Euphemisms Expressing Sex
There is no doubt that there are a lot of taboos relating to sex and it is
the power of taboos that keeps language users from avoiding the forbidden
concepts and compels them to preserve or violate it. This ambivalence
towards taboo seems to be especially noteworthy in the case of sex, an area of
interdiction particularly fruitful in lexical generation. In fact, sex is pervasive
in our everyday life and it has perhaps been on most people’s minds. But how
does one talk about this very sensitive realm? Many people think that the


50

51

subject of sex, of bodily love is best dealt with silence, the ultimate

In <16>, the euphemistic use of “had a love affair” with the meaning of

euphemism. To many others, sex may be spoken tenderly, lyrically and

“had extramarital copulation” in SL text is easier to reach to the reader.

beautifully. Hence, they resort to euphemism as to elicit embarrassment for

Similarly, the euphemism “lo chuyện ân ái” is used to translate equivalently in

others and to go so far as to say healthily, welcome. Therefore, in the sexual

the TL text.

realm, English language writers use many euphemistic words to denote the
sexual intercourse.

In verbal disguising of copulation, euphemisms like “sleep” or “sleep
together” - one of the key verbal “sexual intercourse” euphemisms, “getting

According to the traditional belief of the Vietnamese, issues related to

into bed with” for “have sex with” or “had a night with”, an even more

sexual intercourse often bring people about the feeling of vulgarity. As a

circumlocution than “sleep” are widely used in the SL text. Interestingly,

result, the speakers often avoid mentioning sexual intercourse. And

similar euphemisms: “ngủ”, “việc ngủ”, “qua ñêm”, “những buổi ân ái” are

euphemisms expressing sex, thus, are generated instead.

translated into TL text as in <17>, <18>, <19> and <20>.

As we know, the Anglo-Saxon peoples in general and the British in

<17> “I’ll have to go and see him, tell him. And, much as I loathe the

particular are famous for being embarrassed by sex. Thus, the English

idea, sleep with him.” “I’m two weeks overdue, and I’m never a day overdue.

language contains more euphemisms for sexual activity than other topics. Let

The only other time I was, Justine was starting. I’m pregnant, Anne, I know I

us examine the following examples:

am!”.

affair all summer and got this girl with child and now I suppose you'll sneak
off."

[27, p. 250]
Em phải ñi tìm anh ấy và phải tìm cách ngủ với anh ấy. Em ñã bị trễ

<16> "That's just another example of your sneakiness. You had a love

hai tuần. Kinh nguyệt của em rất ñúng. Chắc chắn em ñang có thai, Anne à.

[33, p.227]

[16, p. 151]

Chính ñó lại thêm một ví dụ khác về tâm ñịa nham hiểm của anh. Suốt
mùa hè anh chỉ lo chuyện ân ái khiến cho cô gái này có mang rồi bây giờ nếu
tôi ñoán không lầm thì anh tính sẽ quất ngựa truy phong.
SL Text

SL Text

TL Text

And, much as I loathe the

[8, p.252]

phải tìm cách ngủ với anh ấy

idea, sleep with him

TL Text

You had a love affair

anh chỉ lo chuyện ân ái
Copulating, having sexual

Quan hệ, Giao cấu

intercourse

Having a relationship which

Quan hệ ngoài ngôn nhân

involves extramarital copulation

Euphemism: sleep with him

Euphemism: lo chuyện ân ái

Euphemism: had a love affair

Euphemism: ngủ với anh ấy
Transfer

Transfer

52

53

<18> “Had it not been for the new life she was sure was growing in

SL Text

her, getting into a bed with Luke ever again would have been the ultimate sin
against her-self”

TL Text
Chúng ta ñã qua một ñêm

We had a lovely night

[27, p. 252]

thần tiên

Nếu không có mầm sống mới mà nàng biết chắc ñang tượng hình thì
việc ngủ với Luke giữa lúc này là một tội lỗi không thể tha thứ với chính mình.
[16, p. 151]
SL Text

TL Text

Giao hợp

Had sexual intercourse

Euphemism: qua một ñêm

Euphemism: had a lovely night

getting into a bed with Luke

việc ngủ với Luke giữa lúc này

ever again would have been the

là một tội lỗi không thể tha thứ

ultimate sin against her-self

với chính mình

thần tiên
Transfer

In dealing with sexual realm, different figures of speech are often
applied, in which circumlocutions and metaphors for sexual activity are

Copulating, having sexual
intercourse
Euphemism: getting into a bed

Quan hệ, Giao cấu

commonly used to denote copulation and stimulatory activities. These two

Euphemism: việc ngủ

figures of speech help to create the beautiful euphemisms as well as to arouse
an aesthetic image for the readers or the listeners. Copulation is well

Transfer

camouflaged in the texts behind evasive circumlocutions, which mostly seems
to involve general companionship rather than the act itself as in the examples
<19>"How are you, darling?" she said. "Isn't it a lovely day?"

below:

"How do you feel?"

"I feel very well. We had a lovely night."

<20> That girl was beautiful and she was the greatest piece of ass I’ve
[33, p.230]

- Anh khỏe không anh yêu? - Nàng hỏi - Trời ñẹp tuyệt.

ever had and I’ve had them all over the world. She could suck you out like a
water pump.

- Tuyệt. Chúng ta ñã qua một ñêm thần tiên.

[56, p. 52]

Con bé rất ñẹp, ân ái tuyệt vời, tôi chưa bao giờ gặp một phụ nữ như

- Em cảm thấy thế nào?
[8, p.255]

vậy…

[10, p. 83]


54

55

SL Text

Let us have a look at the following example:

TL Text

she was the greatest piece of

Con bé rất ñẹp,

<22> He could not get away from it, he could not get away from her,

ass

ân ái tuyệt vời

from the thoughts at the back of his mind, from the hungers natural to his age
and manhood.

[27, p. 67]

Anh ta không thể xua ñuổi nỗi ám ảnh ấy, không thể tách rời mẹ với
A person viewed sexually

Một người quyến rũ

Euphemism: ass

Euphemism: ân ái

những suy nghĩ ñen tối ñang vây hãm mình. Rồi những ñòi hỏi tự nhiên của
lứa tuổi và sự sung mãn của người ñàn ông ñã dậy lên ở anh ra.

Transfer

SL Text

Rồi những ñòi hỏi tự nhiên

The euphemistic word “embrace” is also used to denote the sexual
caress in the SL text and equivalent words “âu yếm, vuốt ve” are used in the
TL text.

from the hungers natural to

của lứa tuổi và sự sung mãn

his age and man-hood

của người ñàn ông ñã dậy lên
ở anh ra

<21> Oh that his left hand were under my head,
and that his right hand embraced me.

[19, p. 164]

Ôi bàn tay trái của chàng ñỡ lấy ñầu tôi
Và bàn tay kia âu yếm, vuốt ve tôi.
SL Text

[16, p. 38 ]

TL Text

[19, p. 164]

sexual hungers

Đòi hỏi, ham muốn quan hệ

Euphemism: hungers natural

Euphemism: ñòi hỏi tự nhiên

TL Text

his right hand embraced me

Transfer

bàn tay kia âu yếm, vuốt ve tôi

Knowledge and understanding about human sexual intercourse is
euphemized by an interesting metaphor “the birds and the bees”, which shunts
sexual caress

Mơn trớn gợi tình

Euphemism: embraced

Euphemism: âu yếm, vuốt ve

Transfer

the embarrassing connotation on non-human species and interestingly, the
equivalent euphemism “chim và bướm” is used in the TL text as manifested
in the following example:

The word “nature” generally indicates the quality or essence of
something and it is frequently used as euphemistic omnibus to denote the
sexual organs of a man. The term nicely avoids direct reference to the organs
themselves. The nature of men is considering debilitating to them. It is viewed
as their life force and sexual intercourse because it drains men of their nature.

<23> “Do you know anything about women, Dane?” she asked
suddenly, opening her eyes again.
He smiled. “The birds and the bees, you mean?”

- Con có nghĩ ñến chút nào về phụ nữ không Dane? Meggie hỏi giọng
băn khoăn.

56

57

Dane mỉm cười. Chim và bướm, có phải mẹ muốn nói thế? [16, p. 186]
SL text

[27, p. 333]

TL text

“The birds and the bees, you

- Chim và bướm, có phải mẹ

mean?”

muốn nói thế?

Human sexual intercourse

Chuyện quan hệ nam nữ

Euphemism: The birds and the bees

Euphemism: Chim và bướm

SL Text

TL Text
Một người phụ nữ có thể

A woman can live without it

không cần chuyện ñó

Human sexual intercourse

Chuyện quan hệ nam nữ
Euphemism: chuyện ñó

Euphemism: it
Transfer

Transfer
<25> ”I don’t know, Vittrio. I wish I did! At the time it just seemed the
In the area of sex intercourse, the vague euphemism “it” appears so
many times that it is considered as the king of the sex euphemisms. The

only thing to do. I’m not gifted with Promethean foresight, and emotional
involvement makes one a poor judge. Besides, it simply . . . happened!

euphemism “it” depends on the particular interpretation upon context, either

[27, p. 262]

of situation or of collocation. And “it” in SL text is sometimes in inverted

Con không biết ñược, Vittorio. Con rất muốn biết sự thật ra sao! Nhưng

commas or otherwise typographically marked if the points need to be

trong lúc này, con không thể hành ñộng khác hơn. Hơn nữa chuyện ấy xảy

hammered home. In the TL text, “it” is translated equivalently as “chuyện

ra... một cách tự nhiên.

ñó”, “chuyện ấy”, “cái chuyện ñó”, “chuyện...” as in the following
examples:
<24> A woman can live without it quite well for years at a stretch, but

it was nice, when it was the one man.

[16, p. 158]

SL Text

TL Text

Besides, it simply . . .

Hơn nữa chuyện ấy xảy

hap-pened!

ra... một cách tự nhiên

[27, p. 311]

Một người phụ nữ có thể không cần chuyện ñó trong nhiều năm nhưng
thật là hạnh phúc làm sao ñược sung sướng với anh ấy, người ñàn ông duy
nhất của nàng.

[16, p. 180]

Human sexual intercourse

Chuyện quan hệ nam nữ
Euphemism: chuyện ấy

Euphemism: it

Transfer

<26>“Oh, no, you didn’t offend me, truly! I suppose I’m not very used
to it …. I was frightened, not offended.”

[27, p. 183]


58

59

- Ồ không ñâu! Anh không hề xúc phạm em. Không ñâu, thật mà! Chỉ
có ñiều em không quen lắm cái chuyện ñó. Anh làm em hoảng sợ chứ không
phải xúc phạm.

<28> It’s only in the most private part of our life together that she
ever displays any feeling, and even then she never speaks.

SL Text

[27, p. 79]

Chỉ trong những lúc hết sức riêng tư, trong tình vợ chồng, cô ấy mới ñể

[16, p. 119]

lộ ra những xúc ñộng của mình, nhưng ngay lúc ñó cô ấy cũng không nói lời

TL Text

I suppose I’m not very used to

Chỉ có ñiều em không quen

it …

lắm cái chuyện ñó

Human sexual intercourse

Chuyện quan hệ nam nữ

Euphemism: it

Euphemism: cái chuyện ñó

nào.

[16, p. 46]
SL Text

TL Text

It’s only in the most private

Chỉ trong những lúc hết sức

part of our life together

riêng tư, trong tình vợ chồng

sexual moments

Khoảnh khắc quan hệ

Euphemism: private part of

Euphemism: lúc riêng tư,

our life together

trong tình vợ chồng

Transfer
There are some cases in which the euphemisms expressing sex in the
SL text are transferred into non- equivalent euphemisms in the TL text as

Transfer

follows:
<27> You said you’d been in love once, so I thought you knew the
ropes. I’m sorry, Meghann.

[27, p. 183]

Cô có nói với tôi cô ñã từng yêu, do ñó tôi suy ñoán là cô cũng hiểu ñôi
chút về chuyện... Tôi rất ân hận, Meghann.
SL Text

[16, p. 119]

<29> Even more so was the fact that as nat-ural-ly as if she came into
a man’s arms every day of her life, her arms had gone up around his neck,
and linked tightly.

[27, p. 123]

Meggie ñã áp sát người vào Ralph một cách buông thả của người vợ
hằng ñêm âu yếm chồng. Rất tự nhiên, hai tay Meggie bấm vào cổ Ralph và

TL Text

so I thought you knew the

do ñó tôi suy ñoán là cô cũng

ropes

hiểu ñôi chút về chuyện...

Human sexual intercourse

Chuyện quan hệ nam nữ

Euphemism: the ropes

Euphemism: chuyện …
Transfer

ôm Ralph siết mạnh.

[16, p. 77]

SL Text

TL Text

she came into a man’s arms every day

người vợ hằng ñêm âu

of her life

yếm chồng

sexual caress

Mơn trớn gợi tình

Euphemism: came into a man’s arms

Euphemism: âu yếm
Transfer

60

61

<31>"Poor, poor dear Cat. And this was the price you paid for

sleeping together”.

[33, p.297]

Tội nghiệp Catherine yêu quý, tội nghiệp! Đó là giá phải trả cho những
buổi ân ái.

SL Text

nếu chỉ quan hệ với phụ

yearly vacation away from the

nữ trong dịp nghỉ hè và

parish

dịp xa xứ ñạo của mình

extramarital copulation

quan hệ

[8, p.322]
SL Text

TL Text

if one limited women to the

TL Text

the price you paid for

giá phải trả cho

sleeping together”

những buổi ân ái

Euphemism: limited
Transfer
Had sexual congress

Giao hợp

Euphemism: sleeping together

Euphemism: những buổi ân ái

<33> So she had abjured the flesh, preferring to wield power.
[27, p. 42]

Transfer

Chính vì thế mà bà từ bỏ các khoái lạc xác thịt, thích cầm lấy cây gậy
quyền hành hơn.

In the cases of <32>, <33>, <34>, euphemistic words such as
“limited”, “the flesh”, “the drives of the body” are used to denote the

extramarital copulation, sexual pleasure, sexual temptation in the SL texts.

[16, p. 24]

SL Text

TL Text
Chính vì thế mà bà từ bỏ

So she had abjured the flesh

các khoái lạc xác thịt

But when translating into TL text, the writers tend to speak plainly or
profanely about sex, namely: “quan hệ”, “khoái lạc xác thịt”, “vòng cám dỗ
sexual pleasure

xác thịt”.
<32> One could get away with it for a while if one was discreet;

khoái lạc xác thịt

Euphemism: the flesh
Transfer

forever if one limited women to the yearly vacation away from the parish.
[27, p. 144]
Người ta có thể bảo vệ ñược uy tín trong sáng ở một thời gian nhất ñịnh
nào ñó, nếu giữ ñược sự kín ñáo; rất có thể uy tín ñó sẽ lâu hơn nếu chỉ quan
hệ với phụ nữ trong dịp nghỉ hè và dịp xa xứ ñạo của mình.

[16, p. 90]

<34> But now she was old enough to be officially beyond the drives of
the body.

[27, p. 42]

Nhưng bây giờ bà ñã khá lớn tuổi và người ta biết rằng bà ở ngoài
vòng cám dỗ xác thịt.

[16, p. 24]


62

63

SL Text

The chart shows that there is mismatch in relations to the point of view

TL Text

to be officially beyond the drives of

người ta biết rằng bà ở

between the two languages when mentioning sex. Most of the sexual

the body

ngoài vòng cám dỗ xác thịt

euphemisms in the SL texts are transferred into the TL texts equivalently,
accounting for 58%. The ones in SL texts that transferred into the TL texts
non-equivalently account for 26%. The percentage of sexual euphemisms in

sexual temptation

vòng cám dỗ xác thịt

Euphemism: the drives of the body

the SL text that are transferred directly in the TL texts is only 16%.
4.1.3. Translation of Euphemisms Expressing Pregnancy

Transfer

Ayto [22, p.85] says that the taboos in Western society against referring
openly to a condition in which its later stages is fairly obvious to all is on the

SUMMARY

wane, but it has left a rich legacy of double talk in the language. Our lexicon

Though sex exists around us and most of us have sex in our thoughts,
men and women could not talk about sex openly and uneuphemistically and
still hold it sacred due to cultural factors and social notions. Talking freely
about sex might go a long way towards shearing of its guilty excitement and

thrilling shame. As a result, euphemisms are used instead to denote the pillow
talk. The chart below shows us the proportion of distribution of euphemisms
expressing sex in the SL texts transferred into the TL texts.

of pregnancy can be roughly divided into two categories: the delicate
circumlocution and the colorful metaphor. The first treads gingerly round the
subject without ever getting to the point, and its classic weapon is the
impenetrably vague condition…The notion of looking forward to the time of
birth provides a key pregnancy euphemism “be expecting”.
In Vietnamese culture, there are taboos in pregnancy that manipulate
social behaviors. Pregnant Vietnamese couples tend to reserve about the good
news of their pregnancy. In particular, those who have experienced with
abortion are somewhat secretive about pregnancies. Thus, it is a common
practice to withhold the good news until after the first trimester. Vietnamese
elders may share superstition regarding pregnancy with expectant mothers,
often warning pregnant women to avoid attending funerals, redecorating or
moving into a new residence, as these activities are believed to result in birth
defects. Therefore, they often use euphemistic words and expressions to
denote the pregnancy.
However, from what we have found out from the data, the translation of

Figure 4.2: Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism Expressing Sex in
the SL Texts Transferred into the TL Texts

pregnancy euphemisms from English into Vietnamese can be either direct,

64

65

equivalent or non-equivalent as below:

SL Text

The key pregnancy euphemism “be expecting” in the SL text is

TL Text

It's almost three months gone

gần ba tháng rồi

translated equivalently into the TL text euphemism “mang thai” as in <35>.
<35> All healthy women do. But when they’re expecting a baby they
stop until after the baby is born.

[27, p. 98]

Tất cả phụ nữ khỏe mạnh ñều bị như thế. Nhưng khi mang thai, sẽ
ngưng lại cho ñến ngày sinh em bé.

be pregnant

có bầu

Euphemism: three months gone

Euphemism: ba tháng rồi
Transfer

[16, p. 56]

SL Text

TL Text

But when they’re expecting a baby

When the pregnancy is unwanted or when the woman is unmarried but

Nhưng khi mang thai

pregnant, the time-honored euphemism is the vague “in trouble” in the SL
text. Interestingly, in the TL text, “in trouble” is translated equivalently as
“gặp rắc rối” as in the example <37>.

be pregnant

có bầu

Euphemism: are expecting

Euphemism: mang thai

<37> "No, I'm not. But you mustn't mind, darling. I'll try and not make
trouble for you. I know I've got you into trouble now. But you have been a

Transfer

good girl until now. You never knew it, did you?"

[33, p. 128]

- Không, không, em ñừng quan tâm ñược việc ñó nữa em yêu. Anh cố
The use of euphemism “three months gone” to denote the period of

làm cho em không buồn. Anh biết anh vừa khiến cho em gặp rắc rối. Nhưng từ

time elapsed during a pregnancy in the SL text is transferred equivalently into

trước ñến giờ em vẫn là một thiếu nữ ñứng ñắn. Anh không bao giờ nghi ngờ

the TL text as “ba tháng rồi”.

gì về ñiều ñó cả.

<36> "I'm going to have a baby, darling. It's almost three months gone.
You're not worried, are you? Please please don't. You mustn't worry."

[8, p. 153]

SL Text

TL Text

I've got you into trouble

anh vừa khiến cho em gặp rắc rối

[33, p. 127]

Em sắp có con anh ạ, gần ba tháng rồi. Anh không lo chứ? Nói cho
em biết ñi anh. Em van anh ñấy. Anh không nên lo lắng về chuyện ñó.
[8, p. 152]

unwanted pregnancy

có bầu ngoài mong muốn

Euphemism: got you into

Euphemism: khiến cho em gặp

trouble

rắc rối
Transfer


66

67

The euphemism “over-due” which is used in case of failing to

Holder [34, p.232] mentions that the euphemism “to make a child” is

menstruate at the expected time but not necessarily of an unwanted pregnancy

perhaps his least favorite euphemism. It is slightly cloying and means “to

in the SL text was translated equivalently into the TL text as the euphemism

become a parent”. In the examples <40> and <41>, the euphemisms “to make

“bị trễ”.

you a fine boy” and “a little baby” in the SL text are transferred into the TL

<38>“I’m two weeks overdue, and I’m never a day overdue. The only
other time I was, Justine was starting. I’m pregnant, Anne, I know I am!”

text as the equivalent euphemisms “sanh cho anh một thằng bé con xinh xinh”
and “một cháu bé” .
<40> Does she understand that? She will make you a fine boy. A fine

[27, p. 250]
Em ñã bị trễ hai tuần. Kinh nguyệt của em rất ñúng. Chắc chắn em
ñang có thai, Anne à.

blonde like she is. That's fine. That's all right. What a lovely girl.

SL Text

hung hung như nàng. Được rồi, tốt lắm, ñược lắm. Thật là một cô gái ñáng

TL Text
Em ñã bị trễ hai tuần

I’m two weeks over-due

yêu!

[8, p.115]
SL Text

be pregnant

có bầu

Euphemism: over-due

[33, p. 90]

Nàng sẽ sanh cho anh một thằng bé con xinh xinh hoặc một con bé tóc

[16, p. 151]

Euphemism: bị trễ

TL Text
Nàng sẽ sanh cho anh một

She will make you a fine boy

thằng bé con xinh xinh

Transfer
to become a parent

lên chức bố mẹ

Euphemism: make you a

Euphemism: sanh cho anh

<39>“Had it not been for the new life she was sure was growing in
her, getting into a bed with Luke ever again would have been the ultimate sin
against herself”

fine boy

[27, p. 252]

Nếu không có mầm sống mới mà nàng biết chắc ñang tượng hình thì

một thằng bé con xinh xinh
Transfer

việc ngủ với Luke giữa lúc này là một tội lỗi không thể tha thứ với chính mình.
[16, p. 151]
SL Text

<41> There is a ship upon the ocean... bringing to you and me... a little

TL Text

Had it not been for the new life

Nếu không có mầm sống mới

baby.

[19, p.165]
Có một con thuyền nổi trên mặt biển…mang ñến cho anh và em…một

be pregnant

cháu bé.

có bầu

Euphemism: the new life

[19, p.165]

Euphemism: mầm sống mới
Transfer

68

SL Text

69

TL Text

SL Text

... bringing to you and me... a

…mang ñến cho anh và

little baby.

em…một cháu bé

TL Text
người phụ nữ

they’re expecting babies

chờ ñợi sinh con?

be pregnant

có bầu

be pregnant

có bầu

Euphemism: a little baby

Euphemism: một cháu bé

Euphemism: expecting babies

Euphemism: chờ ñợi sinh con

Transfer

Transfer

In the cases of examples <42> and <43>, the euphemistic expression
“expecting babies” in the SL text is transferred into the TL text by non-

As seen clearly in <42>, the euphemism “with child” in the SL text is

equivalent euphemisms such as “ñang mang trong người một mầm sống mới”

used to mention the pregnancy, but when transferring into the TL text, the

and “ chờ ñợi sinh con”.

writer seems to emphasize by speaking plainly “có mang”.

<42> That’s how women tell they’re expecting babies.”

[27, p. 98]

<43> "That's just another example of your sneakiness. You had a love

Chính khi tắt kinh, người phụ nữ biết rằng mình ñang mang trong

affair all summer and got this girl with child and now I suppose you'll sneak

người một mầm sống mới.

[16, p. 56]

SL Text

mình ñang mang trong người

they’re expecting babies

off."

[33, p.227]
- Chính ñó lại thêm một ví dụ khác về tâm ñịa nham hiểm của anh. Suốt

TL Text

một mầm sống mới

mùa hè anh chỉ lo chuyện ân ái khiến cho cô gái này có mang rồi bây giờ nếu
tôi ñoán không lầm thì anh tính sẽ quất ngựa truy phong.
SL Text
got this girl with child

be pregnant

có bầu

Euphemism: expecting babies

Euphemism: mầm sống mới

cô gái này có mang

be pregnant

Transfer

có mang

Euphemism: with child
<43> Why do they stop when they’re expecting babies?” [27, p. 98]
Tại sao máu ngưng chảy ra khi người phụ nữ chờ ñợi sinh con?
[16, p. 56]

[8, p.252]
TL Text

Transfer


70

71

pregnant euphemisms in the SL texts that are transferred directly into the TL

SUMMARY
It can be summed up that pregnancy in both English speaking countries

texts accounts for only 10%.

and Vietnam is something sacred, expecting and happy. Directly mentioning

4.1.4. Translation of Euphemisms Expressing Childbirth

pregnancy is considered blunt and harsh to some extent. Instead, it requires

Ayto [22, p.88] mentions that the taboos of childbirth have fallen away

politeness and tactfulness when mentioned. As a result, a lot of euphemisms

rapidly in Western society over the past half century (one of its few residues

for “pregnancy” are used to show this happy event.

in Britain is the ban on male midwives). The sight of a woman giving birth on

In relation to frequency, the translation of euphemisms expressing

television is relatively commonplace, and the husband or male partner who

pregnancy from the English language into Vietnamese is shown in the chart

does not wish to be present and assist at the birth of his child may be

below:

considered distinctly preserve. With the taboos has gone the language used to
circumvent them. Most English euphemisms for “childbirth” now have very
dated air.
To Vietnamese people, giving birth to a baby is a very important job. In
the past time, a large family of children, a busy family is a source of pride and
a big dream. For each couple, having children is not only a wish to maintain

the race but also the result of love until flowering, fruiting. Vietnamese
women attach great importance to children, especially their first children.
Moreover, there is a belief that "youth trusts father, the elderly trusts youth”,
thus, having a child means that there is a place to rely on at the old age.
Therefore, Vietnamese people have a lot of taboo referring women during
childbirth and euphemisms for childbirth are therefore used instead.

Figure 4.3: Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism Expressing
Pregnancy in the SL Texts Transferred into the TL Texts
As can be seen clearly from the chart, there is not much difference

However, the translation of euphemisms expressing childbirth from
English into Vietnamese is not in the same form as shown in the following
examples:

between English and Vietnamese point of view in expressing pregnancy. The
results indicate that when mentioning pregnancy, the English writers and
Vietnamese writers employ a variety of equivalent euphemisms (70%), the
non-equivalent euphemisms account for 20%. Meanwhile, the percentage of

In the example <45>, the euphemistic expression “came into the world”
is used to indicate the action “give birth to a baby” in the SL text, and,
equivalently, the euphemism “chào ñời” is used when translated into the TL
text.

72

73

<45> “This is no different from the way you came into the world

yourself, and it deserves the same respect. It isn’t dirty. When you insult
Daddy, you insult me.”

[27, p. 67]

SL Text

TL Text
Chúng tôi biết rằng mình

We knew the happy event

sắp có con

Chính con cũng chào ñời bằng kết quả như thế. Điều này không có gì
xấu xa; khi con chửi cha con, con ñã chửi cả mẹ rồi ñấy!
SL Text

[16, p. 38]
Sự ra ñời của một ñứa trẻ

The birth of a child

TL Text

Euphemism: happy event

the way you came into the

Chính con cũng chào ñời

world yourself

Euphemism: sắp có con
Transfer

The use of euphemism “with the help” to indicate the period of giving
birth in the SL text is transferred non-equivalently into the TL text as “ngày

be born

ñược ñẻ ra

Euphemism: came into the

Euphemism: chào ñời

world

khai hoa nở nhụy” as in <47>.
<47> So serene and beautiful, with the help that was to come to her so
near.

Transfer

[19, p.165]
Trong an bình và diễm lệ, ngày khai hoa nở nhụy sắp ñến với nàng.
[19, p. 165]

According to Ayto [22, p. 88], the euphemism “happy event”, which

SL Text

TL Text

probably emerged in the late 19th century , reminds us that we are still not

with the help that was to

ngày khai hoa nở nhụy sắp ñến

always inclined to be terribly up-front and frank when talking about

come to her so near

với nàng

childbirth. And in the case <46>, the euphemism “happy event” which denotes
the birth of a child in the SL text is transferred into a non-equivalent
Childbirth

việc sinh con

Euphemism: with the help

Euphemism: ngày khai hoa nở nhụy

euphemism “sắp có con”.
<46> We knew the happy event was very close now and it gave us both

Transfer

a feeling as though something were hurrying us and we could not lose any
time together.

[33, p. 289]

Chúng tôi biết rằng mình sắp có con, và ñiều ñó khiến cả hai chúng tôi
có cảm giác vội vã và không ñể lỡ dịp ở bên cạnh nhau.

[8, p. 314]

In the example <48>, the euphemistic expression “young Catherine” in
the SL text is transferred into the TL text by the non-equivalent euphemism
“ra ñời”.


74

75

<48> "If the winter is over and the rain keeps up it won't be fun up

SL Text

here. How long is it before young Catherine?"
"About a month. Perhaps a little more."

TL Text

There aren't many people

Ít có người ñàn bà nào có

reach my time

mang tám tháng như em

[33, p.284]

Nếu mùa ñông tàn và trời tiếp tục mưa thì ở ñây chẳng có gì vui cả.
Còn bao lâu nữa trước khi bé Catherine ra ñời?
Độ một tháng hoặc hơn một chút.

[8, p.309]

SL Text

the happening of childbirth
có mang tám tháng

that subject to a taboo

TL Text

How long is it before young

Còn bao lâu nữa trước khi

Catherine?

bé Catherine ra ñời

Euphemism: my time
Transfer
In the examples <50> and <51>, the euphemistic use of “labour” with

Childbirth

việc sinh con

Euphemism: young Catherine

Euphemism: ra ñời

the meaning of “effort involved in giving birth” in the SL text is easier to
reach to the readers. Surprisingly, the plain word “sanh” is used in the TL
text.

Transfer

<50> "The first labor is usually protracted," the nurse said.[33, p. 291]
Sanh con so thì thường thường lâu lắm - Bà y tá nói.

As seen in <49>, in the SL text, the euphemism “time” means that the

SL Text

woman is going to give birth, but when transferring into the TL text, the writer
seems to emphasize by speaking plainly “có mang tám tháng”.

[8, p. 316]

TL Text

The first labor is usually

Sanh con so thì thường

protracted

thường lâu lắm

<49> "Baby clothes. There aren't many people reach my time without
baby things."

[33, p. 285]
childbirth

Quần áo cho con nhỏ. Ít có người ñàn bà nào có mang tám tháng như
em mà không có quần áo cho trẻ sơ sinh.

Sanh con so

Euphemism: first labor

[8, p. 310]

Transfer
<51> "What do you do at this hour?" the old man asked.

"My wife is in labor at the hospital."

[33, p.292]

Ông làm gì ở ñây giờ này sớm quá vậy?
Nhà tôi sanh ở bệnh viện.

76

[8, p. 317]

77

SL Text

TL Text

My wife is in labor

SL Text

Nhà tôi sanh

childbirth

ñến trưa Catherine vẫn còn

the delivery room

nằm trong phòng sanh

sanh

Euphemism: in labor

TL Text

At noon Catherine was still in

Childbirth room

Phòng sanh

Euphemism: delivery room

Transfer

Transfer

In the area of childbirth, the vague euphemisms “delivery” is used for
childbirth popularly in the SL texts. However, when translated into

The euphemism “maternity work” which refers to childbirth and the

Vietnamese, the plain expressions “phòng sinh”, “phòng sanh” are used as in

succeeding period in the SL text is replaced by a plain word “ñỡ” as in the

the examples <52>, <53>.

case of example <54>.

<52> "Where is Madame Henry?"

<54> What a lovely girl. I could teach her. I will be a patient here

"A lady has just gone to the delivery room."

[33, p. 293]

- Bà Henry ñâu, thưa cô?

that?

- Người ta mới ñưa bà ñến phòng sinh.

[8, p. 318]

SL Text

TL Text

A lady has just gone to the

Người ta mới ñưa bà ñến

delivery room

phòng sinh

Childbirth room

phòng sinh

Euphemism: delivery room

<53> We had gone to the hospital about three o'clock in the morning.
At noon Catherine was still in the delivery room.

[33, p. 90]
Thật là một cô gái ñẹp. Tôi có thể dạy nàng học. Tôi cũng muốn thành

một bệnh nhân nằm ñây. Không, nhưng tôi sẽ ñỡ không công cho. [8, p. 115]
SL Text

TL Text

No, but I will do all your

Không, nhưng tôi sẽ ñỡ

maternity work free

không công cho

Childbirth

Đỡ

Euphemism: maternity work

Transfer

[33, p. 294]

Chúng tôi ñến bệnh viện lúc ba giờ sáng mà ñến trưa Catherine vẫn
còn nằm trong phòng sanh.

myself. No, but I will do all your maternity work free. Does she understand

[8, p. 319]

Transfer


78

79

SUMMARY

4.2. THREE MAIN APPROACHES TO TRANSLATION OF EUPHEMISM

In general, for English speaking countries or Vietnam, the childbirth is

From the translation of euphemisms in relations to death, sex,

really sacred and of great importance. Hence, taboos around childbirth arose

pregnancy and childbirth, as presented above, we can see that there are three

much and euphemisms for childbirth are used instead. The chart below shows

main approaches employed by translators. In the previous chapter, we have

us the proportion of distribution of euphemisms expressing childbirth in the

mentioned the communicative functions of euphemism. We cannot fail to

SL texts transferred into the TL texts.

realize that with the development of society, more and more euphemisms will
be widely shown up in movies, books, newspapers, etc.. Consequently, we
English learners will undoubtedly encounter the questions of translating
euphemisms, which involve both trans-linguistic and trans-cultural aspects.
When it comes to translation, there are three types of language: “non-literary,
literary and poetic” as Peter Newmark claims in “Textbook of Translation”
[49]. It can be seen from the preceding discussions that euphemism obviously
belongs to the second type because it is culture-bound. Therefore, translation
of euphemisms focuses on faithfully interpreting and conveying cultural
connotations underlying euphemisms for readers or listeners. There are sociocultural factors affecting the choice of a particular way in the translation of
euphemisms as manifested in literary works:

Figure 4.4: Proportion of Distribution of Euphemism Expressing
Childbirth in the SL Texts Transferred into the TL Texts
The chart shows us that when mentioning childbirth, there is much
difference in relations to the point of view between the two languages. Unlike
translating euphemisms for death, sex or pregnancy, here, most of the
euphemisms for childbirth in the SL texts are transferred into the TL texts
directly, accounting for 60%. The ones in SL texts that transferred into the TL

texts non-equivalently account for 30%. The percentage of childbirth
euphemisms in the SL texts that are transferred equivalently into the TL texts

4.2.1. Translation of Euphemism into an Equivalent Euphemism by
Finding the Exact Counterpart in the TL Texts
Thanks to the common sphere of taboos and device of euphemizing,
there exists an abundance of equivalent euphemisms both in Vietnamese and
English. In other words, some euphemisms have not only the same
connotation and denotation contained both in Vietnamese and English but the
similar forms. Under these circumstances, literal translation is employed. For
example:
<55> yet, as it sometimes happens that a person departs this life who is
really deserving of all the praises the stone cutter carves over his bones.

makes up 10%.

[60, p.6]

80

81

Song thỉnh thoảng cũng có những người từ giã cõi ñời này mà lại thực

4.2.2. Translation of Euphemism into a Non-equivalent Euphemism

sự xứng ñáng với những lời xưng tụng bác thợ ñá khắc vào bia dựng trên nắm

by Translating the Euphemistic Meaning of the SL Texts or by Adding

xương tàn của họ.

Footnotes and Explanatory Words in the TL Texts

[17, p.15]

It can be seen that “departs this life” is a euphemism for “die” in

Sometimes we do not succeed in finding a complete equivalent because

English and every reader familiar with Vietnamese cannot fail to understand

there are still many lexical and cultural gaps between the two languages.

that “từ giã cõi ñời” is a euphemism for “chết ”. In a similar way, we can find

Certain words and cultural phenomena in the source language text are unique

the Vietnamese counterpart for the English euphemism “gone to sleep-but

and have their exotic ways of expression peculiar to their own backgrounds

forever” and use it in translating process. This rendering not only conveys the

and can hardly be transferred. In many cases, English and Vietnamese

content and structure but also succeeds in bringing out the originally

euphemisms are quite different in form and meaning, so to translate the

rhetorical flavor. Here are some more examples to illustrate the point:
English Language
At peace [27, p.87]

Vietnamese Equivalents

sleeping together”.

Gone to God [27, p.87]

Về với chúa [16, p.92]

Out of his pain [27, p.87]

Không còn ñau khổ [16, p.92]

The day of my demisse [27, p.44]

Cái ngày của số mệnh [16, p.53]
Ra ñi [16, p.345]

Lying [27, p.391]

Nằm xuống [16, p.344]

example:
<56> "Poor, poor dear Cat. And this was the price you paid for

Yên nghỉ [16, p.92]

Going [27, p.392]

euphemistic meaning is the way to go flexible. Let us examine following

[33, p.297]

Tội nghiệp Catherine yêu quý, tội nghiệp! Đó là giá phải trả cho những
buổi ân ái.

[8, p.322]

The original meaning of “sleeping toghether” which means “ngủ với
nhau” is a euphemism for “having sexual congress”. If the translators go
straight to the direct meaning it may reduce the effectiveness, emotiveness

Sleep on [27, p.396]

Yên giấc [16, p.352]

and uniqueness of the message sent to TL readers. As a result, the

Went out of the world [60, p.111]

Giã từ cõi trần [17, p.139]

euphemistic meaning “những buổi ân ái” is applied instead.

Had slept her last [60, p.53]

Ngủ giấc ngủ cuối cùng [17, p.78]

Sleeping peacefully and eternally

Đang ngủ giấc yên bình và vĩnh cửu

[19, p.49]
Sleep with him [27, p.2502]

[19, p.49]
Ngủ với anh ấy [16, p.151]

The birds and the bees [27, p.333]… Chim và bướm [16, p.186]…

The above is by no means a rare coincidence and similar cases are as
follows:
English Language
Came into a man’s arms [27, p.123]

Vietnamese Equivalents
Âu yếm [16, p.77]

Is Gone [27, p.409]

Nằm xuống [16, p. 363]

Rest [27, p.392]

Nằm xuống [16, p.345]

Expecting babies [27, p.98]

Đang mang trong người một mầm
sống mới [16, p.56]


82

83

Sometimes it is far enough to only reveal the euphemistic meaning or

CHAPTER 5

original meaning, so further explanation is needed as in these examples:
<57> That’s how women tell they’re expecting babies.”

[27, p. 98]

Chính khi tắt kinh, người phụ nữ biết rằng mình ñang mang trong
người một mầm sống mới.

CONCLUSIONS
5.1. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS
Euphemism, as a variation of language, is applied everywhere in all

[16, p. 56]

human societies and used in all human interactions. The main function of

<58> It’s only in the most private part of our life together that she ever

euphemism is to replace taboos, which are common social–cultural

displays any feeling, and even then she never speaks

[27, p. 79]

phenomena actually extending people’s self–protection psychology. In speech

Chỉ trong những lúc hết sức riêng tư, trong tình vợ chồng, cô ấy mới ñể

interaction, out of politeness or tact, one may use a pleasant, less direct word

lộ ra những xúc ñộng của mình, nhưng ngay lúc ñó cô ấy cũng không nói lời

instead of something unpleasant. Euphemism is one of the ways people use to

nào.

realize this purpose. Therefore, resorting to euphemism is speakers’ active

[16, p. 46]
<59> O that his left hand were under my head,
and that his right hand embraced me.

pragmatic strategy at a certain time and in a certain situations. More
[19, p. 165]

Ôi bàn tay trái của chàng ñỡ lấy ñầu tôi

importantly, euphemism embodies the civilization and morality of human
beings. As people live in different times and societies, and the language they

Và bàn tay kia âu yếm, vuốt ve tôi.

[19, p. 165]

use belong to different categories, accordingly this kind of language variation

4.2.3. Translation of Euphemism into a Direct Form in the TL

created by them are varied and reflect various social cultures and values.

Interestingly, sometimes we can find out that in English language, the

shows itselfs in vocabulary. New words and expressions appear as a result of

authors use euphemistic expressions to denote something respectably or

social and economic development and old words acquire new meanings on

euphemisticality. However, due to the different points of view and context,

account of certain new social needs. Euphemism, as a language form, also

plain expressions are used to translate the euphemisms. Let us consider the

follows this trend. As a result, it can be said that English or Vietnamese

following examples:

euphemisms share something in common in this respect, i.e. the metabolic

Texts

Language is dynamic and in constant change. The most obvious change

English Language

Vietnamese Equivalents

feature of euphemism. With the constant cultural exchange between east and

His loss [60, p.6]

Chết ñi [17, p.15]

west, there seems a trend showing that some euphemistic expressions are on

Her ladyship’s demise [60, p.49]

Chết [17, p. 64]

the track of unification. This tendency embodies that different cultures can

Limited [27, p.144]

Quan hệ [16, p.90]

influence and infiltrate each other.

The Flesh [27, p.42]

Khoái lạc xác thịt [16, p.24]

With child [33, p.227]…

Có mang [8, p.252]…

After studying some theorists’ ways of translating euphemisms, we
carried out investigating the English - Vietnamese translation of euphemism

84

basing on three ways as follows:

85

Among them the method of translating a euphemism the SL into an

• a euphemism in the SL is transferred into a direct form in the TL.

equivalent euphemism by finding the exact counterpart in the TL texts is the

• a euphemism in the SL is transferred into an equivalent euphemism

most common one in the translating process.

in the TL.
• a euphemism in the SL is transferred into a non-equivalent one in the

5.2. IMPLICATIONS FOR TRANSLATION
In translation theory, there are two different main approaches: authorcentered and second reader-centered, of which the second approach is more

TL.
Employing these ways as the framework, we have investigated the

likely to create an equivalent effect and is more favored by translators.

reality and practice of translating euphemism from English into Vietnamese

However, how the second approach works, in fact, brings translators many

as manifested in published translated works. We have found that most of the

big difficulties because it relates to factors such as linguistic context,

euphemisms in the SL are transferred equivalently into the TL texts, some in

situational context and cultural context. The quality of a translation

SL texts are translated by non-equivalently euphemisms in the TL texts and

sometimes has nothing to do with the original work or with the original

finally, a small number are translated directly in the TL texts, which are listed

writer; rather, it depends on the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of

as follows:

the translator. Translators have to carefully choose the most suitable ways of

(1) a euphemism in the SL is replaced with an equivalent euphemism
in the TL: 45%
(2) a euphemism in the SL is replaced with a non-equivalent one in the
TL: 30%
(3) a euphemism in the SL is replaced with a direct form in the TL:

transferring for each context to make translation more meaningful and
colorful.
5.3. IMPLICATIONS FOR LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING
Translation in general and the translation of English euphemism in
particular is not an easy task so it requires both teachers and learners to learn
and research carefully with their best efforts to grasp the texts in the SL and

25%
Moreover, the research also identifies the main approaches taken by
translators in translating euphemism from English into Vietnamese, namely:
(1) Translation of euphemism into an equivalent euphemism by
finding the exact counterpart in the TL texts.

produce a TL text that bears a close resemblance to the SL texts. Thanks to
this thesis, both teachers and students will have a chance in enriching their
knowledge of euphemism. Moreover, they also discover polysemy of words
which may facilitate vocabulary learning as well as develop their English

(2) Translation of euphemism into a non-equivalent euphemism by

vocabulary. Simultaneously, they can know more about the cultures of

translating the euphemistic meaning of the SL texts or by adding footnotes

English and Vietnamese and also find the importance of culture in translating

and explanatory words in the TL texts.

euphemism so that they can recognize it is necessary to teach and learn not

(3) Translation of euphemism into a direct form in the TL texts.

only linguistics but also non-linguistics or socio-cultural factors.


86

5.4. SOME LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

87

5.5. SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Though there have been many books on English- Vietnamese

Whatever effort has been made in conducting the research, there is still

translation so far, few of the authors have mentioned or done really thorough

room for our study. Some notions of these occurred in the course of doing

research on euphemism translation as we have done in our thesis. This is also

this research. However, due to the lack of time we cannot present them all.

a big challenge for our work during the process of collecting data and writing

From the practical point of view, we suggest further research should be

up this paper. Besides, due to the limitation of time and knowledge of the

focused on:

writer in the translational perspective, and the shortage of material sources,

- Idiomatic euphemism or other kinds of euphemism.

this study has only limited itself to three mainly ways: 1) a euphemism in the

- Cultural overlap as well as cultural distance between English and

SL is translated by a direct form in the TL; 2) a euphemism in the SL is

Vietnamese which influence euphemism translations.

translated by an equivalent euphemism in the TL and 3) a euphemism in the

Besides another source of data for research should also be investigated

SL is translated by a non-equivalent one in the TL and identifies the main

such as newspapers, magazines, and other mass media publications to make

approaches taken by translators in translating euphemism from English into

the research more reliable and persuasive.

Vietnamese namely: Translation of euphemism into an equivalent euphemism
by finding the exact counterpart in the TL texts; Translation of euphemism
into a non-equivalent euphemism by translating the euphemistic meaning of
the SL text or by adding footnotes and explanatory words in the TL texts;
Translation of euphemism into a direct form in the TL texts and the data is
mainly collected from some famous English novels of literature and their
Vietnamese versions. As a result, the research has failed to address all
linguistic aspects and mention all translation ways, and some of the
conclusions drawn from the findings are rather subjective and the issues
mentioned are still somewhat general. Therefore, to some extent, Chapter
Four of the thesis has not accomplished a satisfactory depth as it should.
However, with the samples clearly classified into distinguished parts and
fully analyzed, the author believes that this chapter contains some useful
findings and this, we hope, will add additional value and make contribution to
the teaching and learning of translation.

88

89

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