摘 要委婉语是一个语言学概念，同时也是一种文化现象，长久以来一直受到人们的关注,也是很多学者研究的重点。委婉语是一种间接的表达方式，即用一种迂回的、温和的、令人愉悦的表达代替那些直接却令人不悦的说法。委婉语的起源可以追溯到遥远的古代，主要体现在宗教起源和社会阶层起源。从社会功能方面来讲，委婉语可以避免伤害他人感情，无论是在年龄和健康、教育、人的外表方面的礼貌功能，在死亡、社会惯例、宗教方面的回避功能，还是在商业、政府和军队、社会问题方面的掩饰功能。对英语委婉语的社会功能的详细分析可以使英语学习者更好地把握英语委婉语，正确运用英语委婉语从而达到跨文化交际的目的。关键词：英语委婉语；起源；交际功能IAbstractEuphemism, as a cultural phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept, has attracted people’s attention for a long time and becoming a hot research project among researchers. Euphemism means indirect ways of expression. That is to say, those blunt, harsh or direct expressions are replaced by using the pleasant, mild or roundabout ones. The origin of euphemism has a long history, which can be traced back to distant ancient times. They are mainly illustrated in terms of the origin of religion and origin of social classes. In terms of social function, the euphemism has the function of politeness which is to avoid hurting people’s feeling in age, health, education and people’s appearance. It has the function of evasion which is to avoid hurting people’s feeling in death, social convention and religion. It also has the function of concealment which is to avoid hurting people’s feeling in government, military, commerce and social problems. Detailed analysis will make English learners better grasp English euphemism, so that to use English euphemism correctly to make intercultural communication more successful.Key words：English euphemism; origin; social functionIIContents摘 要IAbstractIIIntrodu...
