概念整合理论对英语委婉语的阐释力

论文摘要

本文试图用概念整合理论解释英语委婉语的意义构建过程,并通过该理论对委婉语意义的阐释来验证用它解释语言现象的可行性。委婉语是一种普遍的语言现象,本文对委婉语的定义进行了概述,同时从语言学的角度简单评价了这些定义。本文按照英语委婉语的构成方式将英语委婉语分成了四类:以语音方式构成的委婉语,以构词方式构成的委婉语,以词汇方式构成的委婉语和以修辞方式构成的委婉语,并对以这四种构成方式构成的委婉语辅以例子加以说明。同时,关于英语委婉语的使用动机以及功能,国内外对英语委婉语的研究概况本文也做了概述。概念整合是自然语言意义建构过程中一种极为普遍的认知过程。本文介绍了概念整合理论的理论背景,举例解释了概念整合这个概念,同时介绍了概念整合的网络模式。为了研究概念整合理论对英语委婉语意义构建的认知过程,本文用概念整合理论对几个典型的英语委婉语进行了解读。通过对这几个委婉语的分析,在很大程度上证明了概念整合理论对委婉语这种修辞语言有强大的阐释力。但是,本研究也显示了概念整合理论对英语委婉语以及很可能对其他英语修辞语言进行解释的局限性,而这种局限性值得使用概念整合理论的语言研究者和外语教学者深思——尤其对于中国的以及英语非母语的外语研究者和外语教学者来说,这种局限性更应当深思。

论文目录

• Synopsis
• 摘要
• Chapter One Introduction
• 1.1 Introduction to Euphemism
• 1.2 Introduction to Euphemism Formation Theory
• 1.3 Introduction to Conceptual Integration Theory
• 1.4 Purpose and Significance of the Present Research
• 1.5 Organization of the Thesis
• Chapter Two Understanding English Euphemisms
• 2.1 Definition of English Euphemisms
• 2.2 Formation of English Euphemisms
• 2.2.1 Phonemic formation devices
• 2.2.2 Word formation devices
• 2.2.3 Vocabulary devices
• 2.2.4 Rhetoric devices
• 2.3 Function and Motive of English Euphemisms
• 2.3.1 Being polite and considerate
• 2.3.2 Avoiding taboo
• 2.3.3 For disguise
• 2.4 Brief Review of English Euphemism Studies
• 2.4.1 English euphemism studies from abroad
• 2.4.2 English euphemisms study in China
• 2.5 Summary
• Chapter Three Conceptual Integration Theory
• 3.1 Theoretical Background
• 3.2 An illustration to Conceptual Integration Theory
• 3.2.1 Mental Spaces
• 3.2.2 Input Spaces
• 3.2.3 Cross-Space Mapping of Counterpart Connections
• 3.2.4 Generic Space
• 3.2.5 Blend
• 3.2.6 Selective Projection
• 3.2.7 Emergent Structure
• 3.3 The Network Model of Conceptual Integration
• 3.3.1 Mental spaces
• 3.3.2 Cross-Space Mapping of Counterpart Connections
• 3.3.3 Generic space
• 3.3.4 Blending
• 3.3.5 Selective Projection
• 3.3.6 Three Operations Involved in Constructing the Blend
• 3.3.7 Emergent structure
• 3.4 Summary
• Chapter Four Application of Conceptual Integration Theory in Interpreting English Euphemisms
• 4.1 Case 1
• 4.2 Case 2
• 4.3 Case 3
• 4.4 Case 4
• 4.5 Summary
• Chapter Five Conclusion
• References
• Acknowledgements