| Acknowledgements | 第4-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第7-11页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第11-15页 |
| 1.1 Research Background | 第11-12页 |
| 1.2 Research Objectives | 第12页 |
| 1.3 Research Methodology | 第12-14页 |
| 1.3.1 Research Questions | 第12-13页 |
| 1.3.2 Data Collection | 第13页 |
| 1.3.3 Case Study | 第13-14页 |
| 1.4 Organization of the Thesis | 第14-15页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第15-28页 |
| 2.1 The Definition of English Euphemism | 第15-17页 |
| 2.2 Functions of English Euphemism | 第17-19页 |
| 2.2.1 The Evasive Function | 第18页 |
| 2.2.2 The Polite Function | 第18-19页 |
| 2.2.3 The Dissembling Function | 第19页 |
| 2.3 Previous Studies of Euphemisms and Their Limitations | 第19-28页 |
| 2.3.1 Previous Studies in Western Countries | 第20-22页 |
| 2.3.2 Previous Studies in China | 第22-25页 |
| 2.3.3 Limitations of the Previous Studies | 第25-28页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Foundation: Relevance Theory | 第28-42页 |
| 3.1 The Origin of Relevance Theory | 第28-30页 |
| 3.2 Theoretical Foundation | 第30-31页 |
| 3.2.1 Rich Philosophical Connotations of Relevance Theory | 第30-31页 |
| 3.2.2 Another Theoretical Foundation of Relevance Theory-Theory of Human Action | 第31页 |
| 3.3 Important Theses of the Relevance Theory | 第31-42页 |
| 3.3.1 The Communication Outlook of the Relevance Theory | 第32-36页 |
| 3.3.1.1 Code Mode and Inference Mode | 第32-34页 |
| 3.3.1.2 Information Intention and Communication Intention | 第34页 |
| 3.3.1.3 Ostensive-Inferential Mode | 第34-36页 |
| 3.3.2 The Contextual Outlook of Relevance Theory | 第36-37页 |
| 3.3.3 Relevance, Cognitive Efforts and Contextual Outcomes inCommunication | 第37-40页 |
| 3.3.3.1 Relevance in Communication | 第37-39页 |
| 3.3.3.2 Cognitive Efforts and Contextual Effects in Communication | 第39-40页 |
| 3.3.4 Relevance Principle and Optimal Relevance | 第40-42页 |
| Chapter Four A Cognitive-Pragmatic Study of Euphemism in Downton Abbey (Season 1) Based on the Relevance Theory | 第42-55页 |
| 4.1 An Introduction of the TV Series Downton Abbey | 第42-43页 |
| 4.2 An Analysis of Euphemism in Downton Abbey (Season Ⅰ) | 第43-51页 |
| 4.2.1 The Production of Euphemism in Downton Abbey (Season Ⅰ) based on the Relevance Theory | 第44-51页 |
| 4.2.1.1 Optimal Relevance | 第44-46页 |
| 4.2.1.2 Contextual Effect | 第46-51页 |
| 4.3 Failure in Understanding Euphemism | 第51-55页 |
| 4.3.1 Failure Caused by Checkered Cognitive Environment | 第51-52页 |
| 4.3.2 Failure Caused by the Inability to Establish Potential Relevance | 第52-55页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第55-58页 |
| 5.1 Major Findings of the Study | 第55页 |
| 5.2 Significance of the Study | 第55-56页 |
| 5.3 Implications | 第56-57页 |
| 5.4 Limitations and Suggestions | 第57-58页 |
| References | 第58-61页 |
| Publications | 第61页 |
