The Cultural Collision of Euphemisms: A Comparative Study of Asian and European Expressions

Abstract

This paper explores the cultural similarities and differences in the use of euphemisms in European and Asian societies. Generally speaking, euphemisms are used to soften language and deal with sensitive topics in order to maintain social harmony and protect interpersonal relationships. In Asian cultures such as China, Korea and Mongolia, euphemisms are deeply rooted in Confucian and religious traditions and reflect the importance of respect, face-saving and harmony. In Western cultures, euphemisms are often used to conform to social norms and evolving legal frameworks. This paper explores euphemisms in both cultures and finds that euphemisms are not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a socio-cultural mechanism that reveals deeper meanings of social values and identity formation.