从合作原则看英语委婉语的使用

　　2.2.3 Semantic shiftAllied to the phenomenon of widening is that of semanticshift. This is the substitution of the whole, or a similargenerality, for the specific part we do not choose to discuss.

　　We may create such metonymies (substitutions of the whole forthe part) as rear end for “buttocks”. Sometimes, as in theexpressions "to sleep with/go to bed with someone"[10], we usewords naming the larger event in place of more precisereferences to the sexual relations that are part of theprocess.

　　2.3 Rhetorical devices2.3.1 MetaphorEuphemisms may be made by a process called metaphoricaltransfer, the comparison of things of one kind to things ofanother. The euphemisms chosen are often romanticizing,poeticizing and softening of the original words like "go tosleep; go to his long home; be home and free; rest inpeace; be at rest; go to Heaven/Paradise; join one'sancestors; be gathered to one's fathers; join the immorals fordie"[11], shock for random bombing, constructive destructionfor severe damage, have a road to travel for have a long timeto reach an agreement and etc..

　　2.3.2 AposiopesisIn English, there is a kind of rhetoric called aposiopesisthat can also act as the way of euphemizing. When we think weshould not say something under certain conditions, we suddenlystop as when we say someone is out (of work); she is expecting(a baby); "to take precautions (against pregnancy); to depart(from this world)"[12]

　　2.3.3AnalogyAnalogy can often be seen in the vocabularies of work. Atendency to elevate menial or unskilled jobs—sometimessubstituting a grand title for a large salary—can make offalsmell like a rose by promoting garbage men to sanitationengineers or even to waste--reduction managers. Byimplication, they become highly trained technicians andexecutives. Health-club staffs become fitness coordinators,and senators now have their shoes shined by the footwearmaintenance engineer, formerly the Senate bootblack. Even ifyou are not a government official, your janitor is now yourbuiding maintenance engineer.