中英动物词语区别-学年论文.doc

The Difference between Chinese and Western Culture in the Allusions of Animals1. Introduction Language is a tool of communication which people can use it to express their thoughts. Language is part of Culture, and reflects its social culture, at the same time; it is confined by social culture. English and Chinese are both developed languages, with extremely rich vocabulary, including many words related to animals. Both Chinese and English contain a large number of animal-related words, idioms and expressions. Some of their meaning, connotations and applications are the same or similar, some are different. On the one hand, they have common point; this is because human brings have similar thinking; common cognitive rule; some animals in the two national lives in the workday equally important position; and their characteristics and the inherent properties of these animals. On the other hand, the respective religions; history and culture of the two social groups as china and English in their long historical process; the different geographical environment, and customs form the discrepancy of animal words. As we all know the economic globalization developed and cross-cultural interactions become more and more frequent. Though the boundaries separate the lands into hundreds of countries, cultural exchanges between these nations can not be stopped by them. The long-term cooperation in all fields promotes the exchanges between countries, but their societies still keep their own characteristics. Thus, it is very important for us to get a clear mind of the meaning of animal allusions when get in touch with the western countries.2. The differences between Chinese and Western culture in the meaning of animalIt is well known that there are many allusions in English and Chinese, especially animal metaphors. However, because of different traditional culture, geographical environment, and thinking method and beauty value the implications of animal words are different. Therefore, what are the differences between Chinese and Western culture in the meaning of animal? Many scholars from different schools give us their perspectives.2.1. The same allusions of animals in Chinese and Western culture. Zhao Li (赵丽，2006), she introduces that many animals we often see in daily life are given certain implied meanings, The same meaning of animal in English and Chinese. For example, in such sentence” He is as sly as a fox. Hes fox. You have got to watch him. This animal fox” is used to express someone is cunning, and you should pay attention to his behavior. Many other animal words like ass, parrot, and “pig all have the same implied meaning. In fact, some imagination of animal in Chinese and English are same. 2.2. Different allusion of animals in Chinese and Western culture. Different living conditions have caused varied states of mind and ways of thinking, so same animal as association vehicles may have different figurative meanings and Chinese and English people have different ideas and attitudes to some animals such as dragon, dogs, etc. (祁天秀，2008 ) Besides, a lot of legends and fables contribute to the cultural image. It is said that phoenix is a kind of bird living in the dessert of Arab. It had survived in the dessert for about 500 years. In order to have a second life, phoenix had to experience the burning in fire. So in Western culture, phoenix is the symbol of morality. But in Chinese traditional culture, it represents the meaning of good luck, blessing and high status. Hines people also like to use some idioms related with phoenix to praise beautiful ladies. (明树杰，2008) Another example comes to dog. Most of the “dog” expressions possess a commendatory sense or at least a neuter sense in English. Buck of The Call of The Wild written by Jack London is the best example. The lexical expressions of dog in English usually give us a commendatory sense, such as Every dog has its day, means every person will some day succeed or become fortunate. But figures of speech like these are not proper in Chinese as the word in most Chinese phrases is associated with some derogatory meaning. (赵军，2006)2.3. Different animal words having similar cultural connotations in Chinese and Western culture. There also are Different animal words having similar cultural connotations in English and Chinese languages and people use different animal words to express similar meanings. Even though the animal association vehicles are different, they have similar figurative meaning. Tan Yin (谭颖，2002) mentioned that to Chinese people, “tiger” is referred to as the king of animals and stands for power, vigor and bravery. So there are many expressions with the letter to symbolize something commendatory. But in English “tiger” symbolizes cruelty. The western regards “lion” as the king of animals. . The lion enjoys high prestige .The phrase “as bold as a lion” is used to describe a brave person. Different animal association vehicles with similar figurative meanings can be also seen from such expressions: “as timid as a rabbit, chicken-hearted or pigeon-hearted; “like a cat on hot bricks”; “as stubborn as a mule”; “wet as a drowned rat”. (明树杰, 2008)2.4. Vacancies of cultural allusions in Chinese and Western culture.Many other experts also think that because the tradition customs from different culture origins, some words and phrases gained special meanings during the development of the countries, embodying the intense national characteristics. In the eyes of Chinese people silkworms are wailing to sacrifice and spare no effort to contribute without requiring any pay back, as a famous verse goes Till the end of life a silk worm keeps spinning silk. Till burning itself out a candle goes on lighting us. (陈珩 章樊, 2010) The long history of different geographical environment is essential to make the differences between Chinese Western cultures in the meaning of animal. For example, the climate in Britain is suitable for the development of animal husbandry .Goat, as one of the most common stock in Britain has rich cultural meaning. The word sheep and goat” stands for the meaning of one with strong ability and with weak ability. As we know, Britain is a typical island country. The marine products of Britain are developed. As a result, some animal words, idioms, proverbs about ocean and marine aquatics are plentiful and popular. But the living environments of the Chinese nation have been restricted mainly to the mainland. Comparatively speaking, the Chinese animal words about ocean and marine aquatics are fewer than Britains. Sometimes, they might even make cultural vacancy in translation. Due to culture differences in China and western countries，misunderstanding will occur momentarily. This thesis attempts to give English learners a clearer and more convinced demonstration as to how different cultures influence animal allusions and what need pay attention to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. I hope give both native speakers and language learners some enlightenment in cross-cultural communication. 3 .The Trend of the Research During the preparation for the paper, I have thorough search to get familiar with the developments of animal allusion. With the development of globalization and the increasing frequency of cultural exchanges between countries in the world, cross-cultural communication as a newly emerging discipline has aroused a widespread concern among scholars. Naturally becomes an issue that can not be ignored. So the study of the exact animal allusion is of great value.4. The Problems The most significant problem is the pragmatic translation. When we are translating some animal words, we should avoid translating almost directly. First of all, we should know the connotation carried by animal words in Western and Chinese culture. As many experts have pointed out that traditional culture, geographical environment, thinking method and beauty value are all of the factors that have an in-depth on cultural allusions of some animal words in English and Chinese. From the examples mentioned above, we can see that mainly there exist four kinds of circumstances. So our way of translating should interrelate them, thus we could express our ideas clearly and exactly. 5. Suggestions for translation In my searching for information, I have recognized that scholars at home and broad analyses the cultural connotations between the English and Chinese animal words, and compares the animal images and their cultural connotations. The origin of the difference between Western and Chinese culture has influence in the meaning of animal. Generally speaking, these are two kinds. Some of their cultural connotations and images are the same, but most of them are different, and some even exist only in their own language and make the vacancies between the two languages .Some scholars also give people some ideas when translating animal words.5.1. Literal translation. Since there are some similarities in animal words in Chinese and English, we can translate directly, such as the phases like eat like a wolf ,ride the tiger , parrot what other people say , kill two birds with one stone (冯建民 于连水, 2009)5.2. Substitution Some animal words allusions are totally because of different living conditions having caused varied states of mind and ways of thinking. We should try to translate them into the equivalent image. And we can use some other words to replace the meaning if it is necessary. So we should spare no effort to learn more about other countries culture. (Cheng Jinyu, 2007)6.Conclusion As we know, culture plays a dominant role in our daily life and business occasion. It is the foundation of communication and when culture are diverse, communication practices may be different. Because of the globalization, todays intercultural communications seems inevitable. With the rapidly changing society; people throughout the world have realized that it is necessary to minimize the rate of misunderstanding. More and more people are rising the awareness of intercultural backgrounds great nimble of schools having begun to analyses the differences for students for better communication with foreigners. For the language learners and other users, it is very necessary to have a good knowledge of the source and target language of the animal words and it is of great importance than any time in the past. Due to animal words are closely linked to peoples life, I believe more and more scholars will concentrate on this field.References 1 Cheng Jinyu. A Discussion of the Gap between China and Britain in the allusion of animal allusions A .Legal System and Society.2007 (07)2 Wang Sen. A Comparison of Cultural Connotations between Chinese and English Animal Words and Their Translations A.Xiao an University June