a study on euphemism in english with reference to vietnamese equivalents

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HANOI OPEN UNVERSITY

M.A. THESIS

A STUDY ON EUPHEMISM IN ENGLISH
WITH REFERENCE TO
VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS
(NGHIÊN CỨU UYỂN NGỮ TIẾNG ANH
LIÊN HỆ VỚI
TƯƠNG ĐƯƠNG TRONG TIẾNG VIỆT)

NGUYỄN THỊ MINH HUYỀN

Hanoi, 2016

 


MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HANOI OPEN UNVERSITY

M.A. THESIS

A STUDY ON EUPHEMISM IN ENGLISH
WITH REFERENCES TO
VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS
(NGHIÊN CỨU UYỂN NGỮ TIẾNG ANH
LIÊN HỆ VỚI
TƯƠNG ĐƯƠNG TRONG TIẾNG VIỆT)

NGUYỄN THỊ MINH HUYỀN

Field: English Language
Code: 60220201
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Van Que

Hanoi, 2016

 


CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY
I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report
entitled:
A study on euphemism in English
with references to Vietnamese equivalents
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in
English Language. Except where the reference is indicated, no other person’s
work has been used without due acknowledgement in the text of the thesis.
Hanoi, 2016

Nguyen Thi Minh Huyen

Approved by
SUPERVISOR

(Signature and full name)
Date:……………………
i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to
Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Van Que, my supervisor, who has patiently and
constantly supported me through the stages of the study, and whose invaluable
guidance, advices and suggestions have inspired me greatly through the whole
process of thesis writing till its completion.
My thanks are also due to all the M.A TESOL lecturers at Hanoi Open
University who have provided me an invaluable source of knowledge and
helpful advices for my completion of this thesis.
A special word of thanks goes to Dr Le Ly Lan and Dr Le Phuong Thao
for their support and encouragement that helps me to have this thesis
accomplished.
Last but not least, I also would like to express my great thanks to my
family for the sacrifice they have devoted during my studies.

ii


ABSTRACT
Language is a means which people use in their daily lives to speak about
everything with different purpose. And the use of euphemisms is a common
linguistic phenomenon in all languages. In the increasingly complicated and
globalized society, everyone has a rising tendency to avoid speaking directly
about sensitive topics. However, it is very difficult to avoid speaking about
unpleasant issues completely. That is why people engage in different rhetorical
uses of language to express what they mean. Moreover, by using euphemisms,
people can indirectly and politely express their ideas about subjects considered
as taboos, without making the listeners feel awkward and unpleasant.
Euphemism reflects particular social culture psychology, so the generation and

development of euphemisms are closely related to culture. Therefore, people
will have an intuition in what and how they express what they mean, when
languages have various cultural backgrounds. In this thesis, an attempt has
been made to discuss the definition, evolution, formation, classification, uses,
characteristics of euphemism, examine the relationship between culture and
euphemism, and focus on studying English and euphemism on cultural view to
find out the cultural differences reflected by English and Vietnamese
euphemisms, to discover the facts affect on cultural differences between
English and Vietnamese euphemisms. Data collective and analytical method
and qualitative method are used. The findings, it is hoped, will help language
users have more knowledge of euphemism in English and Vietnamese to
overcome the misunderstandings and barriers in cultural communication.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Certificate of originality

i

Acknowledgements

ii

Abstract

iii

Table of contents

iv

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

1

1.1.

Rationale for the research 

1

1.2.

Aims of the research

2

1.3.

Objectives of the research

3

1.4.

Scope of the research

3

1.5.

Significance of the research

4

1.6.

Structural organization of the thesis

4

Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

6

2.1.

Review of previous studies

6

2.2.

Review of theoretical background

9

2.2.1. Theory of culture

9

2.2.1.1. Definition of culture

9

2.2.1.2. Culture terms

10

2.2.1.3. Characteristics of culture

12

2.2.1.4. Language and culture

14

2.2.2. Euphemism

16

2.2.2.1. Definition of euphemism

16

2.2.2.2. Formation of euphemism

18

2.2.2.3. Classification of euphemism

28

2.2.2.4. Uses of euphemism

32

2.2.2.5. Factors affecting the use of euphemism

33
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2.3.

Summary

36

Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY

38

3.1.

38

Research-governing orientations

3.1.1. Research questions

38

3.1.2. Research setting

38

3.1.3. Research approach(es)

38

3.1.4. Principles/criteria for intended data collection and data analysis

40

3.2.

41

Research methods

3.2.1. Major methods vs. supporting methods

41

3.2.2. Data collection techniques

41

3.2.3. Data analysis techniques

42

3.3.

43

Summary

Chapter 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

44

4.1.

44

Cultural differences reflected by English and Vietnamese
euphemisms

4.1.1. Cultural differences reflected by colors

44

4.1.2. Cultural differences reflected by number

51

4.1.3. Cultural differences reflected by inquiring privacy

51

4.2.

53

Factors leading to cultural differences between English and
Vietnamese euphemism

4.2.1. Cultural differences caused by different beliefs

53

4.2.2. Cultural differences caused by different attention and perception

54

4.2.3. Cultural differences caused by different attitudes

56

4.2.4. Cultural differences caused by different value orientations

57

4.3.

Implications for increasing cultural knowledge

58

4.4.

Summary

58

v


Chapter 5: CONCLUSION

60

5.1.

Recapitulation

60

5.2.

Concluding remarks

61

5.3.

Limitation of the research

63

5.4.

Recommendations/Suggestions for a further research

64

REFERENCES

65

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Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1.

Rationale for the research
Almost all cultures seem to have certain notions or unpleasant things that

people try to avoid mentioning directly, even when there is such a term in a
language. When such a notion or thing has to be referred to, the practice will be a
substitute that sounds better. That is the coming of euphemisms. So we can see
that euphemism have a strong relationship with our culture backgrounds,
especially taboo words. The appearance of euphemism gives that better sound.
Euphemism is a lingual phenomenon existing in human society. It not

only plays an important role in facilitating social interaction, but also is an
important rhetorical means. It is not only a cultural phenomenon, but also a
social phenomenon. It just likes a mirror, which reflects social and psychological
phenomena.
In etymology, the word euphemism is derived from a Greek word which
means “to speak favorably”. So the essence of euphemism lies in the use of
inoffensive words or phrases instead of offensive or harsh ones. Euphemism has
the function of politeness and beautification, which is helpful to develop benign
communication. Accordingly, it's widely used in our daily communication to
express something unpleasant.
Euphemisms convey different messages to people of different cultures. If a
nation’s people do not understand other people’s specific cultural connotation of
euphemism, it is impossible to carry out effective and correct communication.
The exact nature of the relationship between language and culture has fascinated,
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and continues to fascinate, people form a wide variety of backgrounds because
euphemism reflects particular social culture psychology.
Due to the respective cultural background and tradition, some euphemisms
have far surpassed their original meanings, forming different connotations in
cultures. The difference of the connotation of euphemisms between different
cultures is determined by each different national and historical background, the
different traditions and habits, the different peoples’ life experience, and
aesthetic psychology of culture. It is a kind of permanent culture phenomenon.
The various cultural connotations of euphemisms possess an important
position in communication and the other language using activities. The different
languages of different nations and peoples in the whole world are extensive and
profound. The cultural connotation of euphemisms is not only important in
communication, but also in component of the relationship between the culture

and euphemisms.
If we want euphemism to help our communication in our daily life, we
should know some of its basic knowledge. The originality of this paper lies in the
study of euphemism from the cultural perspective. This thesis focuses on
examining the cultural differences reflected by English and Vietnamese
euphemisms and finding out some factors affecting cultural differences with
intending to help people better understand English and Vietnamese euphemisms
to make good use of English in cultural communication.
1.2.

Aims of the research
The aim of the research is to examine the cultural differences reflected by

English and Vietnamese euphemism and to discover the factors affect on cultural
2


differences between English and Vietnamese euphemisms.
1.3.

Objectives of the research
To achieve the aims mentioned above, following objectives are put

forward:
(i)

Pointing out the cultural differences reflected by colors, numbers
and inquiring privacy in English and Vietnamese euphemisms.

(ii)

Discover the factors lead to cultural differences between English
and Vietnamese euphemism.

1.4.

Scope of the research
Euphemisms play an important part in English and Vietnamese

languages. The research is expected to point out the cultural differences
reflected by colors, numbers and inquiring privacy in English and Vietnamese
euphemisms and to discover the factors lead to cultural differences between
English and Vietnamese euphemism.
This study is hoped to contribute an in-depth description of English
euphemisms when analyzing their cultural aspect in relate to their Vietnamese
equivalents to help language users increase cultural knowledge of English and
Vietnamese euphemism and overcome difficulties when speaking and using the
euphemisms.
To complete the research thesis, all the material collection of English
euphemisms and their Vietnamese equivalents illustration examples are
selected from some reliable dictionaries, reference books and internet. It is
hoped that the outcome of this research thesis, to some extent, would be able to
make a certain contribution to enhance cultural knowledge for language users.
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1.5.

Significance of the research
We hope this study will offer cultural differences and the factors affected

on English and Vietnamese euphemisms to help people better understand
English and Vietnamese cultures to make good use of English and Vietnamese
euphemisms in language using activities.
Theoretically, this research is expected to provide some basic
information of euphemisms in terms of culture to help writers and researchers
go to further studies about this field. It is also intended to help language users
raise their socio-cultural awareness of the English country.
Practically, there are many English euphemisms but culture is a too wide
aspect to study. As a result, the research is hoped to provide an important
opportunity to advance the understanding of English euphemisms as well as
make a major contribution to the process of increasing cultural awareness and
using English.
1.6.

Structural organization of the thesis
This research paper consists of five chapters:
Chapter 1 is the introduction which mentions to the rationale, the aim,

the objective, the scope, the significance and the structural organization.
Chapter 2, the literature review, gives the overview of the previous
studies relating to the area of the research and covers some theoretical
backgrounds that could be used as foundation for the process of conducting the
research.

4


Chapter 3, the methodology, presents the research questions and research
approach with various methods and techniques to conduct the research thesis.

Chapter 4 is the findings and discussion of the study which describes and
analyses the cultural differences reflected by English and Vietnamese
euphemisms with their equivalents in Vietnamese and finds out the factors
affecting on these cultural differences between English and Vietnamese
euphemism. Then the relating with their Vietnamese equivalents is also given
in accordance with some possible implications for increasing cultural
knowledge in using language.
Chapter 5, the conclusion of the study, summaries the major findings
resulted from the study and data analysis, presents the limitations of the study,
thus giving some suggestions for a further research.
References come at the end of the study.

5


Chapter 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1.

Review of previous studies
Euphemism is not only a phenomenon intrinsically linked to the

conventions of politeness and social tact expected in interpersonal
communication, but also a powerful linguistic tool to smooth communication
and preserve interpersonal relationships. People use euphemism frequently in
daily communication, but want to use it as effectively as desired, the speaker
must have extensive knowledge of euphemism. Therefore, many studies of
euphemism have been done on many different aspects. The following studies
tell us about some of the researchers’ achievements on euphemism:
In “Euphemania: Our Love Affair with Euphemisms”, Ralph Keyes

(2010) opens the reader to a new world of thoughtfulness, embarrassment,
manipulation, even criminality through euphemisms. He covers the things
people get uncomfortable discussing; sex, anatomy, bodily functions, illness
and death, food, money and commerce, and war. He also explores their use for
politeness and tact, fun and entertainment, or deception and backpedaling. He
provides a brief history of euphemisms by topic, examples and light etymology
of the more famous terms. Besides, he not only explains the origins of many
past and present euphemisms but also examines their root causes and effects on
society. Moreover, he mentions about where euphemisms come from, tells the
readers why we use euphemisms and gives us some wonderful examples.
In “Euphemisms”, John Ayto (1993) discusses a variety of different
euphemisms and the strategies behind them. He mentions about euphemisms

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which hide frightening and unwelcome issues behind long words or highly
technical terms.
In “A Dictionary of Euphemisms and Other Double-talk” British linguist
Hugh Rawson (1981, p. 1) divides euphemisms into positive and negative
euphemisms, and conscious and unconscious euphemisms; focuses on
description of the meaning; clarifies etymology of each euphemism and its
relation to other terms in his dictionary.
In “Kind Words: A Thesaurus of Euphemisms”, American scholars
Neaman, J. S & Silver, C. G (1983) adds more detailed description of the
history, formation and motives of euphemism.
Enright, D. J (1985) in “Fair of speech, the Use of Euphemism”,
discusses the use of euphemism in one specific domain and put forward that
the history of euphemism should be studied within context.
Allan & Burridge (1991) in “Euphemism and Dysphemism”, offer a

functional account of the various expressions of euphemism and dysphemism
from a pragmatic perspective. They further discuss the correlation between
euphemism and context.
Neil Postman (1976, p. 74) in his book, Crazy Talk Stupid Talk,
introduces a definition of euphemism and mentions about the relationship
between euphemism and culture.
In Vietnamese, many famous linguists have published a large number of
essays and books which focus on euphemism from different perspectives:

7


Đinh Trọng Lạc & Nguyễn Thái Hòa (1993) in "Phong cách học tiếng
Việt" mention euphemism as a stylistic device of language used to express
various meanings.
Trương Viên (2003; Ph.D. Thesis) analyzes the linguistic features of
euphemisms, examines the formation of euphemisms by syntactic, phonetic,
lexical and stylistic means, and also points out some features related to the
method of translation.
Nguyễn Thị Lê (2006; M.A thesis) discusses the features of euphemisms
in English and Vietnamese newspapers in three aspects: syntax, semantics and
pragmatics.
Nguyễn Hưng Nguyệt Minh (2011; M.A thesis) investigates the
semantic, syntactic and pragmatic characteristics of common expressions of
death in English and Vietnamese.
According to Đinh Trọng Lạc (1994, p. 71) in "99 biện pháp và phương
tiện tu từ Tiếng Việt", euphemism belongs to metonymy group, is the
metonymy image in which one rename an object (or phenomenon) by the
description of its basic signs, or by raising its features.
In "Vietnamese Dictionary" (2005), Hoàng Phê editor explains that

euphemism is the subtle expression instead of impolite, offensive, and rude
speaking ways. "Uyển ngữ là phương thức nói nhẹ đi thay cho cách nói bị coi
là sỗ sàng, làm xúc phạm, làm khó chịu"
Through the knowledge gained from books and previous studies, this
thesis would focus on cultural view on euphemisms between English and
8


Vietnamese to explore the cultural differences reflected by English and
Vietnamese euphemisms and to find out the factors affecting to cultural
differences between English and Vietnamese euphemisms.
2.2. Review of theoretical background
2.2.1. Theory of culture
2.2.1.1. Definitions of culture
The researchers observe the cultures from many different angles and
perspectives, so there are many different definitions of culture. The followings
are some typical definitions of culture:
“Culture is the sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes
one group of people from another. Culture is transmitted, through language,
material objects, ritual, institutions, and art, from one generation to the next.”
(www.dictionary.com)
“Culture is all the knowledge and values shared by a society.”
(www.thefreedictionary.com)
According to Bates & Plog (1990, p. 7) in “Cultural Anthropology”,
culture has been defined as “the system of shared beliefs, values, customs,
behaviors, and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their
world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to
generation through learning”
In “Sociolinguistics”, Hudson (1996, p. 78) defined “Culture is the kind
of knowledge which we learn from other people, either by direct instruction or

by watching their behaviors”
9


Levin, D et al (1980) in “Cross – Cultural Communication for English
as a second Language” stated that “Culture is like an iceberg”.
According to Phùng Quý Nhân (1975, p. 7) in “Cơ sở văn hóa Việt
Nam”, culture is the system of spiritual and material values that human being
has created throughout history.
Another Vietnamese author, Trần Ngọc Thêm (1997, p. 27) in “Tìm về
bản sắc văn hóa Việt Nam” assumes that culture is an organic system of
material and spirit values so that humans create and accumulate during daily
activities, in the interaction between people and the natural environment and its
social. “Văn hóa là một hệ thống hữu cơ các giá trị vật chất và tinh thần do
con nguời sáng tạo và tích lũy trong quá trình hoạt động thực tiễn, trong sự
tương tác giữa con người với môi trường tự nhiên và xã hội của mình.”
Generally, culture can be considered as a block synthesis of the results
and the social activities of human. It is perhaps the most important thing to
know about people if one wants to make predictions about their behavior.
Besides, culture is an important notion in the analysis of any social science or
humanities, and its importance continues to spread to other areas, such as
architecture, art, leisure studies, geography, and many, many more.
2.2.1.2. Cultural terms
Many scholars agree with the fact that language is an expression of
culture and individuality of its speakers and have, hence, deeply examined
cultural terms.

10

Vlakhov and Florin (1970) seem to have been the first ones to coin the
term realia to refer to cultural elements, and the term has now been generalized
and is frequently used to refer to objects, customs, habits, and other cultural
and material aspects that have an impact in shaping a certain language.
Since then, many classifications and taxonomies for such cultural
aspects have been. Following Nida and applying the concept of culture,
Newmark (1988, p. 21) puts forth his classification of foreign cultural words,
establishing five categories:
a. Ecology (flora, fauna, winds, climate, etc.)
b. Material culture (food, clothes, houses, towns, transport)
c. Social culture (work and leisure)
d. Organizations, customs, activities, procedures or concepts (which
include artistic, religious, political and administrative subcategories).
e. Gestures and habits
Katan (1999, p. 17) also provides a comprehensive view of how culture
reveals itself at each of the following logical levels:
a. Environment (including climate, housing, food, etc.)
b. Behaviors (actions and ways of behaving in certain cultures)
c. Capabilities, strategies and skills used to communicate (including nonverbal communication, rituals, etc.)
d. Values of the society and its hierarchy
e. Beliefs
f. Identity

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Ku (2006, p. 91 – 98) reduces his taxonomy to the four generic types
proposed by Molina:
a. Environment, including ecology, place names, etc.
b. Cultural heritage (religious beliefs, historical events, characters,

festivities, folklore, housing, objects, etc.)
c. Social culture (conventions, beliefs, habits, social organizations, etc.)
d. Linguistic culture (fixed expressions, idioms, insults, etc.)
Finally, Fernández Guerra (1993, p. 139) (“Traditionalism” ) describes
four major types of realia, which can turn translation into a very difficult
process.
a. Geographic and ethnographic terms.
b. Words or expressions referring to folklore, traditions and mythology.
c. Names of everyday objects, actions and events (such as food and
drinks, clothes, housing, tools, public transport, dances and games, units
of measurement, money, etc.)
d. Social and historical terms denoting territorial administrative units or
divisions; departments, professions, titles, ranks, greetings and
treatments; institutions, patriotic and religious organizations; etc.
2.2.1.3. Characteristics of culture
Culture has five basic characteristics: It is learned, shared, based on
symbols, integrated, and dynamic. All cultures share these basic features.
( & />
12


Culture is learned. Because we don't automatically know all the values,
words, beliefs, customs, etc. that our culture has adopted. It is not biological;
we do not inherit it. Much of learning culture is unconscious. We learn culture
from families, peers, institutions, and media.
Culture is shared. The concept of culture makes it a social construct. Our
activities often involve interacting with other people. We share culture with
other members of our group, we are able to act in socially appropriate ways as
well as predict how others will act. Thus, culture is largely shared. Despite the
shared nature of culture, that doesn't mean that culture is the same for

everyone. There can be certain things within a culture that are shared between
some groups but not others.
Culture is based on symbols. A symbol is something that stands for
something else. All cultures use symbols to communicate and pass on ideas
and beliefs to other members of society, so symbols vary cross-culturally and
are arbitrary. However, the meaning of the same symbol in countries is not
similar. Therefore, they only have meaning when people in a culture agree on
their use. It's important that everyone in a culture agrees on the meaning of the
symbols so that the transmission of culture can continue. Therefore, one of the
most agreed upon set of symbols in any given culture is its language. A
culture's language is the primary mode of transmitting culture from person to
person.
Culture is cumulative. Every human generation potentially can discover
new things and invent better technologies. The new cultural skills and
knowledge are added onto what was learned in previous generations. Cultural
evolution is due to the cumulative effect of culture. The more people there are,
13


the more likely new ideas and information will accumulate. This is known as
holism, or the various parts of a culture being interconnected. All aspects of a
culture are related to one another and to truly understand a culture, one must
learn about all of its parts, not only a few.
Culture is dynamic. This simply means that cultures interact and change.
Because most cultures are in contact with other cultures, they exchange ideas
and symbols. All cultural knowledge does not perpetually accumulate. At the
same time that new cultural traits are added, some old ones are lost because
they are no longer useful. Changing one trait will have an impact on other traits
because they are functionally interconnected. As a result, there commonly is a
resistance to major changes.

In short, in order to better understand culture, it is useful to closely
examine its characteristics.
2.2.1.4. Language and culture
Language and culture are both the products of human civilization.
Language is a part of culture and plays a very important role in it. A certain
language always exists in close relationship with its culture and society. Some
social scientists consider it the keystone of culture. On the other hand, language
is influenced and shaped by culture; it reflects culture. In the broadest sense,
language is the symbolic representation of a people, and it comprises their
historical and cultural backgrounds as well as their approach to life and their
ways of living and thinking. Language is the principal means whereby we
conduct our social lives, when it is used in contexts of communication, it is
bound up with culture in multiple and complex ways.

14


In the relationship between language and culture, language is always
intertwined with the history and cultural history, contact with each other, the
nation's customs often reflected in the language, illustrates the different
languages by different ethnic and cultural differences. American linguist Sapir
(1949) believes that “language cannot leave the culture” and “language is not
only contains the nation's historical and cultural background, and bears the
nation's view of life, lifestyles and ways of thinking ... It should be noted,
language and culture interact, interaction, understanding language must
understand the language.” can be seen, do not understand the culture of
language, can not correctly understand and use the language, but can not
communicate. The exchange of different cultural backgrounds growing, close
cross-cultural communication has become the mainstream, which requires us to
understand the language of the countries, it is also necessary to understand

their cultural knowledge, so that both in parallel.
A particular language grows in a particular culture. Languages in
different countries, which are different in category, extension and intension,
etc, reflect culture difference. When it meets another culture where it does not
grow, there will appear a cultural shock. So a language corresponds to its own
cultural environment, while the understanding of a culture is necessary for
language meaning. Language is the product of the combination of nature and
culture. When a language spreads culture, it changes, enriches itself and
reflects what happens to culture, even influences or changes such aspects of
culture as institutions, patterns of behavior, mind, living, or psychology.
Therefore, language is the mirror for culture.
On the other hand, the changing and developing culture attributes to the
change of language. That is to say, culture is the driving force of the
15


development of language. Language and culture are intertwined with each
other. On the one side, culture enables language to form and develop, enrich
itself. Culture is the basic premise of the formation of language and the driving
force of the evolution of language. On the other side, language, like a mirror
for culture, reflects cultural changes; moreover, it is the necessary means by
which culture inherits previous achievement, and then disseminates
chronically, and goes down to future generation. Without language, culture will
become the water, which has no more sources or will have no destination.
People of a nation construct a certain cultural concept that adds something new
to its language in return.
In short, the relationship between language and culture is an interactive
relationship. They interact with each other to develop together. Therefore, if
language users do not have cultural knowledge of using language, they will not
be able to understand information transferred in the contexts that contain

cultural colors. Followings are some examples pointing out the differences of
meaning when they are in English and Vietnamese: “It rains cats and dogs” in
English means “Mưa như trút nước” in Vietnamese. “It is as quiet as a mouse”
in English means “Im lặng như tờ” or “Câm như hến” in Vietnamese. “Like a
duck to water” (“như cá với nước”).
2.2.2. Euphemisms
2.2.2.1. Definitions of Euphemisms
Euphemism is a lingual phenomenon existing in human society. It plays
an important role in facilitating social interaction. Euphemism is an important
rhetorical means in communication. It is not only a cultural phenomenon, but
also a social phenomenon. It just likes a mirror, which reflects some social and
16


psychological phenomena. Therefore, there have been a lot of researches about
euphemism from different angles by many linguists. Here are some linguists’
definitions of euphemism
In “Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics”, Bussmann
(2000) defines “euphemism” as “A kind of expressing method which aims at
making people feel less embarrassed by using some words with vague and
ambiguous meaning instead of those which may make people feel unpleasant
and not respected”.
In language studies, Allan and Burridge (1991, p.11) provide a
comprehensive definition: “A euphemism is used as an alternative to a
dispreferred 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.”
Leech (1981, p. 45) defines euphemism as "the practice of referring to
something offensive or delicate in terms that make it sound more pleasant."
Sanderson (1999, p. 259) also states that euphemism "can be used as a

way of being vague and unclear, or to cover up the truth or reality of a
situation."
According to Rawson.H (1981, p.1), euphemisms are powerful linguistic
tools that "are embedded so deeply in our language that few of us, even those
who pride themselves on being plainspoken, ever get through a day without
using them"

17