Linguistic Features of Euphemisms in Modern English (based on “Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood)

PLAN
INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………….…3
Chapter 1 – LINGUISTIC ASPECT OF EUPHEMISMS IN MODERN ENGLISH………………………………………………………………………………..5
1.1. Definition and Function of Euphemisms…………………………………………5
1.2. Formation of Euphemisms………………………………………………………..8
1.3. Classification of Euphemisms……………………………………………………10
Chapter 2 – EUPHEMISMS IN MODERN ENGLISH……………………………….15
2.1. The role of euphemisms in the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood…………………………………………………………………………………15
2.1.1. The Function of Concealment of Truth…………………………………… 16
2.1.2. The Function of Taboo Avoidance…………………………………………...20
2.1.3. The Function of Courteous Expression………………………………..……. 25
CONCLUSIONS…………………………………………………..………….………..28
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………….…....30

INTRODUCTION
Euphemism is a linguistic and social phenomenon of English language. The usage of euphemisms could be beneficial in the areas of social life, with which are connected some issues people do not want to talk directly about. To substitute social taboos, profanity, swearing, rude language people use euphemisms, but they can be used just to make a common word sound more sophisticated. The comprehension of the meaning of euphemisms can be problematic because they are indirect expressions.
The notion of euphemisms was as unique phenomena of the modern English language was investigated by such linguists as Olga Obvintseva, Alexandr Katsev, Keith Allan, Kate Burridge, Enright Dominique, Jhou Lina and Fei Deng.
The object of our investigation is linguistic features of euphemisms in the English language.
The subject of study is modern English novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” written by Margaret Atwood.
The aim of the paper is to define the linguistic features of euphemisms in modern English.
To achieve this aim we set the following tasks:

1. to give the definition to the concept of euphemism;
2. to describe functions of using euphemisms in modern English;
3. to examine the procedure of the formation of euphemisms;
4. to systematize euphemisms on the semantic principle;
5. to investigate the role of the usage of euphemisms in the novel “The Handmaid’s

Tale” by Margaret Atwood.
The novelty of our investigation lies in the extension, supplementation and clarification of data about linguistic features of euphemisms and their application in modern English.
The actuality of the paper is defined by the necessity to study the nature of euphemisms and their linguistic features in modern English.
The practical value of the paper includes the application of the results of the investigation in the course of stylistics and text interpretation
The first part presents theoretical backgrounds of the linguistic features of euphemisms: the origin, evolution, etymology, methods of formation and classification of euphemisms.
The second part is devoted to the investigation of the role of euphemisms in the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.