| Acknowledgements | 第1-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-9页 |
| 内容摘要 | 第9-11页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第11-16页 |
| ·Background of the Study | 第11-13页 |
| ·Objective of the Study | 第13-14页 |
| ·Organization of the Study | 第14-16页 |
| Chapter Two Euphemism:A Literature Review | 第16-27页 |
| ·Some Basic Concepts on Euphemisms | 第16-22页 |
| ·Definition of Euphemism | 第16-17页 |
| ·Brief History of Euphemism | 第17-19页 |
| ·Classifications of Euphemism | 第19-22页 |
| ·Communicative Function of Euphemism | 第22页 |
| ·Previous Studies on Euphemisms | 第22-27页 |
| ·Studies from the Rhetorical Approach | 第23页 |
| ·Studies from the Lexicographic Approach | 第23-24页 |
| ·Studies from the Semantic Approach | 第24页 |
| ·Studies from the Pragmatic Approach | 第24-25页 |
| ·Studies from the Sociolinguistic Approach | 第25页 |
| ·Comments on Previous Studies | 第25-27页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework | 第27-36页 |
| ·The Origin of Relevance Theory | 第28-29页 |
| ·Cognitive Environment and Mutual Manifestness | 第29-30页 |
| ·Cognitive Contexts | 第30-31页 |
| ·Ostensive-inferential Communication | 第31-32页 |
| ·Contextual Effects and Relevance | 第32-34页 |
| ·Optimal Relevance | 第34-35页 |
| ·Summary | 第35-36页 |
| Chapter Four Relevance-theoretic Analysis of Euphemism | 第36-57页 |
| ·Euphemism and Relevance Theory | 第36-39页 |
| ·The Search for Relevance and the Identification of Implicatures | 第36-38页 |
| ·Implicated Premises and Implicated Conclusions | 第38页 |
| ·Strong Implicature and Weak Implicature | 第38-39页 |
| ·An Analysis of the Use and Understanding of Euphemisms in Successful Communication | 第39-50页 |
| ·Interpretations for the Production of Euphemism from the Ostensive Behavior | 第40-42页 |
| ·Explanations on the Understanding Process Based on the Addressee's Inference | 第42-50页 |
| ·Relevance-theoretic Comprehension Procedure | 第43-45页 |
| ·Understanding and Relevance | 第45-46页 |
| ·Understanding and Cognitive Context | 第46-48页 |
| ·Understanding and Contextual Effects | 第48-49页 |
| ·Understanding and Processing Efforts | 第49-50页 |
| ·The Communication Failure Caused by Misunderstanding of Euphemism | 第50-55页 |
| ·Addresser's Lack of Adequate Ostentation | 第51-52页 |
| ·Inconstant Cognitive Environment | 第52-53页 |
| ·Inability to Establish Potential Relevance | 第53-54页 |
| ·Inconstancy in Searching for the Optimal Relevance | 第54-55页 |
| ·Summary | 第55-57页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusions | 第57-61页 |
| ·Major Findings | 第57-58页 |
| ·Implications for Improving the Use of Euphemisms in Communication | 第58-59页 |
| ·Limitations of the Present Study | 第59-60页 |
| ·Suggestions for Further Research | 第60-61页 |
| References | 第61-64页 |
