A Survey of Chinese EFL Learners Perception of English Euphemism ABSTRACTEuphemism, which is frequently used in both English and Chinese, is a linguistic phenomenon as well as a cultural one. In a sense, without proper application of euphemism, communication would be impossible. Euphemism has become one of the major subjects of cross-cultural studies as people come to realize the significance of euphemism. Therefore, English teachers should pay attention to euphemism teaching so as to improve students cross-cultural awareness and communicative competence.In China, as far as euphemism teaching is concerned, there are no monographs or treatises. To see how well the students have grasped English euphemism, a survey was conducted among 28 college students who enrolled in Jiangsu University. The data was collected by the researcher and analyzed by SPSS 10.0 for windows. The results reveal that (1) The sexual difference in the perception of English euphemism is not significant.(2) The EFL learners can grasp the English euphemism well. (3)The English proficiency has some relationship with the perception of English euphemism The results indicate that the majority of the subjects have proper awareness and communication competence in various degrees. They do especially well in category 1 but not very well in category 2. I hope that the results of my research will be helpful to college English teachers in motivating their students.But it should be admitted that there are some constraints and limitations in this dissertation. But I will improve and continue my research in the future with the help of other theories.Keywords: Euphemism; Perception；Sexual Difference; English Proficiency; English Teachingii摘摘 要要中国英语学习者委婉语使用情况调查委婉语是一种语言现象，也是一种文化现象。不能正确理解和使用委婉语将会给交际带来极大的障碍。随着委婉语的重要性越来越为人们所关注和认识，委婉语已成为跨文化研究的重要对象之一。委婉语教学的目的就是通过提高学生理解和使用委婉语的能力以培养学生的跨文化意识和交际能力。作者发现在中国对于委婉语教学的研究几乎还是一片空白，关于委婉语教学的专著极少，一些关于委婉语教学的论文也只是探讨了委婉语的重要性并没有提出以何种模式或方法来进行教学。因此，委婉语教学的方法和模式是一个有待研究和发掘的新课题。为了了解学生对委婉语的掌握和使用情况，我设计了一份调查问卷， 调查对象为江苏大学非英语专业的 28 名在校学生。 通过 SPSS（ 社会科学统计软件）的数据分析，我发现在学生的英语水平和委婉语掌握情况存在着一定的关系。但是男女生的差异并不是很明显。研究表明， 大部分学生已具有相当良好的跨文化意识和交际能力。本文的目的是希望所做的研究结果能对大学英语教师在激发学生学习兴趣和提高跨文化交际能力方面有所帮助。关键词关键词: :委婉语委婉语; ; 感知感知; ; 性别差异；英语水平；英语教学性别差异；英语水平；英语教学iiiCONTENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTSIVABSTRACT中文摘要CONTENTSviiiLISTS OF TABLES and FIGURESixChapter One INTRODUCTION 1Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW32.1 Definition of Euphemism3 2.2 Theoretical Framework4 2.2 Previous Studies5 2.2.1 Universality5 2.2.2 Culture specificity5 2.2.3 Resymbolism5 2.2.4 obscurity.6 2.2.5 Beautification.6Chapter Three METHODOLOGY.83.1Research Questions8 3.2Subjects8 3.3Instruments 8 3.4Treatments.9 3.5Procedure.9 3.6Data collection queer is a modern euphemism for homosexual“. In brief, as a rhetorical device, euphemism is the substitution of a mild or indirect word or phrase for a blunter or harsher one. Euphemism has softening and beautifying function, thus can reduce sensitivity and irritation of language expression. So, euphemism is also called “sweet talk“, “gilded words“, “cosmetic words“ or “comfortable words“. Different views have been commented on the value of euphemism. Stefan Kanfer thinks it “hypocritic“, “demoralizing“, while Hilaire Bclloc thinks its “psychological necessary“. Lois De Bakey synthesizes its advantage and disadvantage: “Euphemism may make an idea more palatable, but they also inflate language, reduce precision, and often tamper with the truth.“ Fred Sherwood says, “It is not so important to question the advisability of euphemism itself as to explore the psyche of its employer.“, which transfers euphemism from rhetoric to cultural psychology. And such psychological factor plays an important role in the origin of euphemism.Based on the previous research findings of the East and the West, the present study attempts to explore Chinese EFL learners perception of English euphemism.It consists of 6 chapters. Chapter one is a brief introduction of euphemism. It will explain the meaning and give the description of the euphemism. Chapter two is a literature review on euphemism. From this aspect the related researches will be 2mentioned. My study can develop in the direction of study from the past. Chapter three to be no more ; to depart to be gone; to join the majority; to go west; to go to glory; go to the other word; join ones ancestors; go to his long home, etc. And it being low water, he went out with the tide. These expressions all have the meaning of “dead”. Then again, when we refer to a friend who is suffering from a disease of the brain or disorder of the mind , we would rather use the expression “mentally ill” than use “mad” or “crazy”, because “mentally ill” is a vague word, less direct than harsh, than “mad” or “ crazy” Euphemisms are also used in referring to occupations either to conceal unpleasantness, or to improve social statues. For instance, “foreman” are called “ plant super intenders”; “undertakers” are called “ funeral directors”;