| Abstract | 第1-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-9页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第9-14页 |
| ·Definition of Euphemism | 第10-12页 |
| ·Necessity and Significance of the Study | 第12页 |
| ·Organization of the Thesis | 第12-14页 |
| Chapter 2 Literature Review | 第14-27页 |
| ·Prototype Theory | 第14-17页 |
| ·Conceptual Metonymy Theory | 第17-20页 |
| ·Previous Studies on Euphemism | 第20-27页 |
| ·Studies of Euphemism Abroad | 第20-23页 |
| ·Studies of Euphemism in China | 第23-27页 |
| Chapter 3 Research Design | 第27-33页 |
| ·Research Questions | 第27页 |
| ·Research Methods | 第27-29页 |
| ·Classification of English Euphemism | 第29-33页 |
| Chapter 4 A Cognitive Explanation of English Euphemism | 第33-45页 |
| ·A Cognitive View of English Euphemism in Terms of Prototype Theory | 第33-40页 |
| ·Adhering to the Principles of Categorization | 第33-34页 |
| ·Euphemisms and Euphemized Subjects as Members of a Prototypical Category | 第34-40页 |
| ·Semantically Relevant Euphemism and Prototype Theory | 第35-39页 |
| ·Formally Relevant Euphemism and Prototype Theory | 第39-40页 |
| ·A Cognitive View of English Euphemism in Terms of Conceptual Metonymy | 第40-45页 |
| ·Metonymic Mechanism of Semantically Relevant Euphemism | 第41-43页 |
| ·Metonymic Mechanism of Formally Relevant Euphemism | 第43-45页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第45-48页 |
| ·Main Findings | 第46页 |
| ·Limitations of the Study | 第46-47页 |
| ·Suggestions for Further Research | 第47-48页 |
| References | 第48-53页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第53页 |
