2. Literature Review源'自:吹冰`!论~文'网www.chuibin.com

People have researched the term “euphemism” for a certain time. Scholars make a study on the term “euphemism” from different fields in order to master the functions of languages and solve the problems of communication. 

Xu Mei made an analysis of the errors which exist in the process of communication through the comparison of English and Chinese euphemisms. She thought the improper use of euphemism is usually easy to cause misunderstanding, which may result in the failure and obstacles of communication. To achieve the purpose of cross-cultural communication, she illustrated that we should understand their features between English and Chinese euphemism and improve the sensitivity to Chinese and western culture, which will reduce errors in cross-culture(Xu Mei, 2007: 53).

Jia Ping and Zhang Sumin discussed the euphemism from the aspect of psychological basis. They pided the psychological basis into four types: taboos, respect, whitewashing the political truth and reducing the negative influences. They thought that euphemism is a form of language in the human daily communication. Different social status and language communities have the specific language means to use the euphemism(Jia ping, 2009: 89). According to their thesis, all sorts of euphemisms reflect all kinds of social psychology: taboo and fear, respect, whitewash and cover-up, reduce the negative effects, etc.