A Study of Euphemism in Downton Abbey from the Perspective of Rapport Management

【Abstract】This paper reports on a pragmatic analysis of euphemism from the perspective of RM. Taking the British drama, Downton Abbey, as the corpus, the study found that RMT is applicable to analyze the strategic use of euphemisms. Euphemism contributes to the management of face and right by diminishing the rapport-threatening behavior and maintaining the rapport created by interlocutors in the talk exchange.

【Key words】RM; euphemism; Downton Abbey

【作者簡介】陈明，东北师范大学外国语学院英语语言文学。

1.Introduction

Euphemism derives from taboo and manifests itself in the form of indirect language (Liu 2017). It refers to the avoidance of words which may sound unpleasant or offensive to the addressee (Deng & Chen 2016). Previous studies on euphemism (e.g. Deng & Chen 2016) have primarily interpreted the linguistic phenomenon based on classic theories, such as Politeness Principle (PP), Relevance Theory, etc. Little attention has been paid to the rapport-managing function of euphemism. As euphemism is characteristically pleasant and indirect, it might be effective to achieve conversational harmony. In this context, this study analyzes pragmatic functions of euphemism in Downton Abbey by virtue of rapport management theory (RMT). Hopefully, it can throw light on the importance of euphemisms in managing rapport, enlightens learners on the comprehension of English euphemism, and promotes their strategic use of euphemism in L2 communication.

2.  Rapport Management Theory

RMT is built upon the notion of face (Goffman 1967) and politeness (Brown & Levinson 1987). It corroborates and complements PP on the grounds that PP is inapplicable to Oriental cultures and exclusive of social identity. Accordingly, Spencer-Oatey (2000) proposes a modified framework, RMT. RMT deals with harmonious-disharmonious relation in talk exchange among interlocutors. It maintains that conversational rapport is premised on interlocutors’ recognition of two elements, face and sociality right. The former is classified into quality face and identity face, while the latter is involved in equity right and association right.

As for quality face, Spencer-Oatey (2000) states that people fundamentally desire to be evaluated positively as to their personal qualities, such as appearance, abilities, etc. Accordingly, quality face is personal in essence. As for identity face, Spencer-Oatey (2000) notes that people are basically longing to get support and recognition form others about their social identity. Therefore, identity face is social in nature and it concerns the sense of public worth that people claim for themselves in terms of the societal role. Additionally, sociality right encompasses equity right and association right. The former is personal, while the latter is social. By equity right, Spenser-Oatey (2000) remarks that people should be respected and be treated fairly by others. They are not supposed to be imposed on unduly nor be ordered for no reason. By association right, Spencer-Oatey (2000) maintains that people are entitled to be connected with others and keep connection with others. Therefore, it emphasizes one’s share of concerns, feelings or interests.

3.  Research Methodology

3.1 Data Collection

The data were drawn from the British period drama Downton Abbey. The drama was set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey. It depicted the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants in the post-Edwardian era. Due to this historical setting, a number of euphemisms are available in the utterances of main characters.

3.2 Research Method

Research methods included naturalistic observation and discourse analysis. The euphemistic data was first identified by observing Downton Abbey. Next, the collected data were analyzed explanatorily on the basis of their functions in the discourse.

3.3 Research Question

This study intends to investigate the pragmatic functions of euphemisms in Downton Abbey from the perspective of RM. The question the study tends to address is what pragmatic function euphemisms perform in Downton Abbey and how RMT is able to account for euphemistic use.

4. Pragmatic Function of Euphemisms in Downton Abbey

4.1 Quality Face and Euphemism

As noted earlier, quality face focuses primarily on personal attributes, such as intelligence, capability, appearance, etc. In a conversation that proceeds successfully, interlocutors are willing to be praised in terms of positive attributes but are reluctant to be depreciated in terms of negative qualities so that their quality face is mutually protected (Spencer-Oatey 2000). In other words, speakers are preferable to mention positive attributes of the addressees but eschew the negative ones. The following example shows the contribution of euphemism to quality face protection.

(1) Robert: How are you settling in?

Bates: Very well, I think, unless your Lordship feels differently.

Robert: No complaints?

Bates: If I have any, I should take them to Mr. Carson, my Lord, not you.

Robert: The house hasn’t worn you out with the endless stairs and so on?

This is a conversation hold between Robert, the host of Downton Abbey, and Bates, Robert’s old friend. In this scene, Robert offered Bates a job as the footman. Considering Bates was disabled with old wounds on his knees left during the war, Robert asked Bated if there was any problem with him when dealing with chores. In this context, Roberts didn’t directly inquire Bates whether he was able to complete his job with crippled leg. Instead, he adopted a euphemism (words in bold) to show his concern to Bates. With the euphemistic expression, Bates’ quality face is protected by means of the intentional avoidance of his negative attribute, disability.

4.2 Identity Face and Euphemism

By identity face, Spencer-Oatey (2000) means people have the fundamental desire to get acknowledgement or respect from others in terms of their social identities or roles. In order to converse harmoniously, speakers are supposed to protect addressees’ identity face and attune the utterances to their social status. The following is a conversation between Mary, oldest daughter of Robert, and her admirer, Tony.

(2) Tony: I refuse to believe that a woman like you, a lady, could give herself to a man without first being certain that he was the one.

Mary: So what are you saying?

Tony: This is something we’ve got to get through.

The conversation took place when Mary regretted her acceptance of Tony’s proposal, which irritated Tony greatly. In order to persuade Mary to keep her promise, Tony made the utterance “I refuse to believe that a woman like you, a lady, could give herself to a man without first being certain that he was the one”. In the utterance, give herself to a man is a euphemism, which has a similar meaning with the phrase “have sex with a man”. However, the euphemistic expression is preferred in the given context, because the word “sex” was regarded as taboo in British culture and wasn’t expected to appear in the conversation between British nobilities like Mary and Tony. For this reason, Tony structured his utterances according to Mary’s social status so as to not humiliate and embarrass her. In this sense, euphemism plays a role in reducing the possibility of threatening one’s identity face.

4.3 Equity Right and Euphemism

Spencer-Oatey (2000) proposes that in a smooth conversation people wish to be treated fairly and equally. They are unwilling to be imposed on unduly, be controlled by others for no reason, nor be taken advantage of or exploited. In Downton Abbey, some euphemisms are pertinent to equity right protection.

(3) Mary: Does this mean I’ll have to go into full mourning?

Robert: My first cousin and his son are almost certainly dead. We will all be in mourning.

Mary: No, I mean, with the other. After all, it wasn’t official.

Robert: If you are saying you do not wish to mourn Patrick as a fiancé, that is up to you.

Mary: Well, no one knew about it outside the family.

Robert: I repeat. It is up to you.

Mary: Well, that’s a relief.

This conversation occurs at the very beginning of the drama when two Grantham heirs perished in the sinking of the Titanic, one of whom was Mary’s fiancé. According to British common law, fee tail of Crawley had to be inherited by a male distant relative, namely the “first counsin and his son” in the example, because the couple had no sons and their daughters had no right to inherit property. In this context, Mary discussed with Robert whether she could attend the funeral as a relative rather than a fiancée on the grounds that their marriage was settled in the interest of property, but not on the basis of love. Mary’s request infuriated Robert and he ended the conversation quickly with repetition of It’s up to you. On the surface level, the father seemed to leave some room for the daughter to make her choices. However, a close analysis reveals that Robert turned down Mary’s request in a euphemistic manner. He did not directly impose on her daughter to attend the funeral in order to respect her equity right, although his illocutionary meaning could also be perceived by Mary.

4.4 Association Right and Euphemism

By association right, Spencer-Oatey (2000) suggests that people own the right to keep in connection with others, so that they can know whether they are valued or approved by the society. In example (4), Tom was a driver of Downton Abbey, who was also an Irish activist against Nazi. At that time he fell in love with Sybil, the youngest daughter of Robert. However, because of his low status, Crawley family was unwilling to accept him as Sybil’s husband. This conversation occurred in a family feast. Knowing that the Crawleys would feel uncomfortable if hearing his complaint of German government, Tom utilized the euphemism German Kaiser to represent the emperor of the German Empire. In this way, he could conceal his hatred towards Nazi and emphasize the similar feeling he shared with the people present.

(4) Tom: Would it be a problem for you to be ruled by the German Kaiser?

5. Conclusion

Taking the British drama, Downton Abbey, as the corpus, this study analyzes euphemisms within the theoretical framework of RMT. It is found that four aspects of RM can be realized by virtue of euphemism. Euphemism maintains the harmonious relations in conversation by diminishing the rapport-threatening behavior and thereby creating rapport among interlocutors.

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