Analysis of the linguistic mechanisms of euphemism in Chinese
Abstract
The richness and complexity of the Chinese language are notably manifested in its ability to employ euphemisms as forms of linguistic attenuation. Throughout its extensive history and in contemporary dynamics, Chinese has developed a sophisticated range of euphemistic expressions that go beyond merely softening discourse. These mechanisms, spanning from phonetic, morphological, and semantic resources to lexical subtleties, play a crucial role in communication, reflecting historical influences and adapting to the complexities of modern social interactions. In this analysis, a thorough systematic exploration is carried out on how linguistic euphemisms are formulated in the Chinese language, emphasizing how resources such as phonetics, morphology, semantics, and lexicon contribute to the creation of these euphemisms. Furthermore, it is underscored that these linguistic resources not only constitute a softened expression but also serve as an essential link to cultural identity and the intricacies of Chinese society.
Format
Crossmark
License
In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Círculo de Lingüística Aplicada a la Comunicación is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.
