A Contrastive Study of English and Chinese Euphemisms in Interpersonal Communication

Abstract

Euphemism, a key linguistic tool in interpersonal communication, maintains harmony by avoiding offensive expressions. This study contrasts English and Chinese euphemisms in interpersonal communication using Brown and Levinson’s Politeness Principle and Hofstede’s cultural value dimensions (e.g., individualism-collectivism). Adopting qualitative interpretation, the study analyze euphemisms from daily, workplace, and healthcare interactions, comparing them in linguistic strategies (lexical substitution, metaphor), pragmatic functions (face-saving, taboo avoidance), and cultural roots. Key findings: 1) Both follow the Politeness Principle, but English prioritizes individual face (negative face) with indirect lexical substitution, while Chinese emphasizes collective harmony via context-dependent implicit expressions; 2) Cultural values shape practices—English reflects individualism/low power distance (e.g., “aging” euphemisms), Chinese mirrors collectivism/high power distance (e.g., hierarchical address euphemisms).