英语专业毕业论文-浅析英汉称谓语差异及其社会文化因素.doc

a brief study on the differences and cultural factors of english and chinese address termwritten by: zhai wenjunsupervised by: fang qiangforeign languages departmentof wanjiang collegeanhui normal universityapril 2011第 21 页 共 26 页acknowledgementsi would like to express my gratitude to all those who have helped me during the writing of this thesis. a special acknowledgement should be shown to professor fang, who from whose lectures i benefited greatly. i am particularly indebted to my dear classmates and the workers in our library who help me a lot to accomplish this essay. i have come across a lot of problems during writing this essay. however professor fang and my friends have given me some valuable advice and courage, i gain a lot from them. so, i want to express my sincere thanks to those who help me. whats more, i gain a good knowledge from some websites, so i want to send my sincere thanks to it and my professor fang.a brief study on the differences and cultural factors of english and chinese address termabstractaddress term is a word or a combination of words people use in addressing each other in verbal communication. it shows the role people play in communication, suggesting interpersonal relationships between them. every language and culture has its own system of address terms. address terms are not only an identity of a person, but also cultural marks. an appropriate address form promotes interpersonal communication smoothly. english and chinese address systems have obvious differences, which are rooted in different social and cultural backgrounds of their own. from intercultural point of view, this paper makes a comparison between daily english and chinese address term and analyses the social and cultural elements behind the differences on the basis of family structures, values and sense of hierarchy. key words: address term; comparison; social and cultural influence浅析英汉称谓语差异及其社会文化因素摘 要称谓语在日常言语交际活动中彼此间当面招呼对方时使用的名称。作为言语交际活动中不可缺少的成分,它不仅反映交际双方的诸多特征,如身份、年龄、职业等,同时也反映说话双方彼此的关系,对对方的思想、情感、态度等。每种语言和文化都拥有自己一套独特的称谓语系统。称谓语不仅是显示一个人的身份同时也是文化在人们身上的烙印。恰当准确的称谓语可以大大促进人际间的交往。英汉称谓语体系差异明显,而这些差异是其植根于各自不同的社会文化背景。英汉两种语言在不同的历史条件，和社会文化下产生和发展，因此英汉称谓也就难免体现各自语言赖以生存、发展的社会文化背景和不同语言的两个民族人民的情感。该文从跨文化交际的观点对日常称谓系统进行比较并分析以家庭结构、价值观念、等级概念为基础的社会文化方面的差异性。关键词：称谓语；比较；社会文化影响contentsacknowledgements . iabstract .ii摘 要.iiichapter 1 introduction .11.1 literature review . .11.2 the significance of the research .11.3 organization of this paper.2chapter 2 differences in kinship terms .3 2.1 divisions of kinship terms.3 2.1.1 the difference by patriarchal and non-partriarch4 2.1.2 difference of paternal and maternal kinship terms4 2.1.3 divisions by elder-younger relation and seniority order inthe clan.52.2generalization of kinship terms .6chapter 3 difference in social address forms .83.1 universal in english-speaking countries. 83.1.1 more complicated address forms in chinese society .93.1.2 reasons of the difference in address forms. . .11 3.2 historical reasons .123.2.1concepts of friendship.12chapter 4 conclusion .13works cited .14安徽师范大学皖江学院本科生毕业论文（设计）开题报告书15安徽师范大学皖江学院本科生毕业论文（设计）评定意见17安徽师范大学皖江学院本科生毕业论文(设计)答辩记录18a brief study on the differences and cultural factors of english and chinese address termchapter 1 introductionaccording to the view of linguistic formation and development, professor chang, in language and culture, believes that there is very close relationship in society contexts (34). for the same word, people of different culture backgrounds may have different impressions or understandings. language is the presentation of culture. without knowledge of culture, it is difficult to learn language well. obviously, we intend to use culture in order to function in a particular society. therefore, “culture is a system of symbol, and language is only one element of the symbolic system in this network. and it is obviously that one should think of language in culture and not just of language and culture” (chang 90).1.1 literature reviewprofessor hu in shanghai transport university study in this field bymaking some comparison of the taboo of the address forms between chinese and english society. from the aspect of social linguistic, shang ting, doctor of zhong nan university, has done some research on it and made some progress in this field. 1.2 the significance of the researchin a word, human beings do not live in the world alone. with the help of language, people can understand their past, present and future. address term is a word or a combination of words people use in addressing each other in verbal communication. it shows the role people play in communication, suggesting interpersonal relationships between them. every language and culture has its own system of address terms. the chinese and english address terms systems come into being under different cultural backgrounds and the disparities of the two systems are inevitable. 1.3 organization of this paperthis thesis adopts the comparative way to study chinese and english address terms, including kinship terms, social address terms (non-kinship terms), selection of respect and honorific words and further analysis of reasons of such differences.chapter 2 differences in kinship termslanguage is the carrier of culture. kinship term is not only a part of language but also a kind of culture. kinship systems are a universal feature of language. they are the lexically identical terms and unique terminological systems labeled with a distinctive social and cultural nature. in different societies and cultures, there must be different systems of kinship terms. behind the vast differences between chinese and english kinship terms are different social structures (hierarchy and equality), interpersonal relationships (power and solidarity) and value systems (collectivism and individualism) of two different cultures. 2.1 divisions of kinship termskinship term is a feature of chinese culture and english culture. there are two common points between english and chinese kinship address terms: one is the quantities of both experience a process from more to less ; the other is that some basic address words have equal meanings in both languages, for instance, father, mother, son, daughter, husband and wife. meanwhile, most of the address words have different forms in the two languages and such phenomenon reflects different social and cultural backgrounds of their own.2.1.1 the difference by patriarchal and non-patriarchal clansgenerally speaking, patriarchal clan is regarded as the basic unit of chinese traditional social structure. the fundamental frame of patriarchal clan is as follows: terms such as uncle, aunt, grandpa, granny, sisters and brother are used as honorific titles for senior people or strangers. native speakers of english would be puzzled if they are addressed in this way by people outside the immediate family. and also the kinship terms for both the paternal and maternal sides in chinese culture are different. however, the english kinship terms, such as uncle, cousin, aunt, grandpa and grandma have no difference between paternal and maternal sides. one of the most distinct features of chinese kinship address forms is that patriarchal and non-patriarchal clans are strictly distinguished, that is to say, various relationships are clearly reflected and not obscured with each other. for example, in china, 外, a morpheme expressing non-patriarchal clans, is usually used to address relatives on mothers, sisters or daughters side. according to analytical dictionary of chinese characters (说文解字), the original meaning of 外 in chinese is far and away. the address customs, therefore, just adopted the extended meaning.kinship terminology, in english, may be difficult to express because patriarchal and non-patriarchal clans in addressing, order and position in the family are not classified clearly. the english kinship terms, such as uncle, cousin, aunt, grandpa and grandma have no differences between paternal and maternal sides. in china, terms such as uncle, aunt, grandpa, grandmother, sisters and brothers are used as honorific titles for senior people or strangers. and also the kinship terms for both the paternal and maternal sides in chinese culture are different. 2.1.2 difference of paternal and maternal kinship termstraditionally, china is a patriarchy society in its long history. furthermore, chinese moral principles focus on the close and the distant (亲疏), the inside and outside (内外). maternal relation is regarded as distant (疏) and outside (外), otherwise, paternal relation is regulated in the close (亲) and the inside (内). people form other countries may feel confused and shocked about chinese special manners and customs. an unbalanced phenomenon, therefore, widely exists in chinese address forms: the words of male kinship are more delicate than those female ones. for example, fathers elder brother (伯伯), fathers little brother (叔父), the formers wife (伯母), the latters wife (婶婶); whereas mothers elder or little brother has an only expression in chinese address forms. and sisters on mothers side and on fathers side are equally called 姑姑 or 阿姨 (no division of elder or younger), which proves another tradition of chinese society: regarding men as superior to women from peoples inner heart and the whole society.whilein english, the difference about sex and paternal or maternal is not clear: uncle and aunt represent brother and sister of ones mother and father, cousin represents 堂兄弟姐妹 and 表兄弟姐妹. kinship terms and usages are more complex than those in english culture. this phenomenon may be explained by the different concepts of family (家庭观) and social background.2.1.3 divisions by elder-younger relation and seniority order in the clangenerally speaking, traditional chinese society advocates the principle of all the members inhabiting together from generation to generation, bringing honor to their ancestors. for this reason, regulation of the patriarchal clan must be maintained and senior or junior order in the clan is regarded as a key yardstick. while addressing others, people in china must pay much attention to obey this principle in order not to become the laughing stock. in chinese address system, in different generation, however, the elder generation may address the younger one with not only surnames but also full names(including family names) grandparents call the sons children孙子(grandson) or 孙女 (granddaughter), the daughters children 外孙 (grandson) or 外孙女 (granddaughter). 外 indicates they have a different surname, of different family name. while addressing senior generation, the younger one cannot use their surnames because it is a behavior of treason and unfilial duty.in this way, the sons children call grandparents 爷爷 (paternal grandfather) and 奶奶(paternal grandmother). the daughters children call grandparents 外公(maternal grandfather) and 外婆(maternal grandmother), who in north china are also called 姥爷and 姥姥 respectively. as is known to all the chinese, it is rude and offensive to address seniors their names directly. unlike the chinese custom, elder-younger relation and seniority order in the clan does not play an important part in english address system. the difference in age is not shown very clearly in western culture. for instance, uncles and aunts can refer to both elder and younger ones. in western society, terms of endearment, surnames, and family names are commonly adopted. they believe that their usage of kinship address forms is enough and direct. it is a common sight to address elder generations name directly, for example, in family album (u.s.a.), marilyn (daughter-in-law) calls robert (her father-in-law) and jenney (her mother-in-law) directly. in the view of westerners, it indicates that they are on intimate terms and in harmony. there is a dialogue:jenney: where are you going, robert?robert: remember, the england football game?jenney: did you forget something?robert: just let me see this play, jenney.marilyn: go ahead, robert. we should all take a little break before dessert (wu 127).2.2generalization of kinship termsgeneralization of kinship terms refers to addressing non-kin or stranger by kinship terms. in many situations, children are taught to use kinship terms to address to the close friends of their parents. in china, terms such as “uncle, aunt, grandpa, grandmother, sisters and brothers” are used as honorific titles for senior people or strangers. therefore, kinship termimology is often employed.on the one hand, the difference between close and distant is taken seriously in chinese traditional culture. the order from close to distant is: directly related relatives to collateral relatives. so the subject of daily communication always chooses close address forms in kinship terms according to the characteristics (age, sex etc.) of the object. that is to say, the subject may use kinship terms to express their intimation to the object. in addition, choosing address forms is attached important in “respect rule”. generalization only exists in address from younger to elder, instead of from elder to younger. for instance, the man a littleolder than father and mother is addressed as伯伯, and the manyounger 叔叔. females are generally called 阿姨by youngerpeople of the next generation. in beijing and some otherregions, they are also called 大妈. old people ofgrandfathers and grandmothers age can also be addressed as爷爷 and 奶奶.this generalization phenomenon indicates that interpersonal relation net has the function of promoting group cohesion and deepening peoples emotion.english-speaking countries, on the other hand, think highly of the value: “individualism”. in daily communication, seniority order, age and interpersonal relation net are omitted. for example,if you greet an old lady or an old man on your way to work, they will take it for granted rather than to regard that you are a polite person.chapter 3 difference in social address termsocial address term (non-kinship term address) is another stream of address system. it is often applied to use in intercultural communication and overseas trade with the people from other nations. sometimes it can also be called career titles. both chinese and english cultures contain social terms of address and titles. firstly, their social function is the same. terms of address and titles, being an important part of social etiquette, can maintain, reinforce, and establish all kinds of human relationships. by using social terms, the status, position, role and closeness of communicative participants are standing out. secondly, the controlling factors on both social term systems are similar such as age, gender, social positions and social class and the like.lastly, appropriate using of social terms can leave people a good impression and promote the success of trade and business.3.1 universal in english-speaking countriesin english-speaking countries, social address forms are experiencing a process of revolution. whatever ones social status or occupation or age is, most people intend to use first name (fn) about addressing the boss, elder person and parents. as long as the address form to doctor has kept title name (tln). the exact nature of this change is as what brown and gilman pointed out: “power in daily communication is replaced by equality and intimacy” (zhang 134-135). sir + madam: this pair is seldom followed by surnames. they are often used separately in calling strangers or used in business letters. and often we can find them in referring to super sides in shops, schools, army, and police stations from lower sides. and if “sir” is followed by surnames or whole names, the meaning is different, which shows the person has a title, such as, sir john white.recently, “madam” can be used with surnames or the title of a technical. for example, madam smith, madam president, madam chairman, and madam ambassador.we chinese are quite familiar with this pair. only one thing we should pay special attention to. that is, lady + surname could be used to refer to the wife and the daughter of a high-status person.in english culture, mr. is often used to refer to common people. for those respected scholars, theyd like to be called prof. or dr. however, in chinese culture, we prefer to use 先生to refer to those scholars. this usage originated from our history .in ancient private school私塾, students call their teacher先生. since then, it is applied to from generation to generation. for example: 屈原先生 or 鲁迅先生.however, with the womens liberation movement, some females prefer to use ms because ms cannot reveal the marital status 婚姻状况, while mrs. implies a dependence on a man.nowadays, miss, mister, and madam are widely used to address person you are familiar with or not. therefore, we can see that power is becoming less important on address forms in the western society.3.1.1 more complicated address forms in chinese societythe differences of chinese address system tend to be more complex than european ones. the use of social non-kinship address forms has changed as the social and politi