从文化视角探究英汉颜色词的内涵意义.doc

编 号：On the Connotations of Color Words in English and Chinese from Cultural Viewpoint从文化视角探究英汉颜色词的内涵意义论文作者名称： 作 者 学 号： 所 在 学 院： 所 学 专 业： 导师姓名、职称： 论文完成时间： On the Connotations of Color Words in English and Chinese from Cultural Viewpoint从文化视角探究英汉颜色词的内涵意义# University May 2011AcknowledgementsFirst and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Chen Jingjing, my supervisor, for her patient instructions and constant encouragement. She has made great effort to guide me to finish this paper and walked me through all the stages of the writing of it. Without her consistent and illuminating instruction, this paper could not have reached its present form. Second, my heartfelt thanks should go to the professors and teachers at the Department of English who have taught me in these years. Their profound knowledge in different fields is conductive to the writing of this thesis.Last my thanks would go to my beloved family and friends whose encouragement and assistance have helped me overcome many difficulties in study.【Abstract】Cultural connotation is peoples ethical and moral cognizance and obedience, as well as the standards of peoples lifestyle. Color words, obviously, is an vital element of culture. Due to different values, customs, religions, living environment and historical development, Chinese and English reflect their cultural connotations respectively. This paper shows the similarities and differences in the connotations of color words in Chinese and English from cultural viewpoint. By comparing, we learn that it is of great importance to get well acquainted with the cultural connotations of Chinese and English. The study of cultural connotations of color words in both languages makes learners to learn the target language more efficiently and is helpful to cross-cultural communication and translation as misunderstanding and disgusting can be eliminated.【Key words】color words; cultural viewpoint; cultural connotation 【摘要】文化内涵表现出人类对道德的认识和遵守，它为人们的生活方式提供了参照标准。而颜色词汇则当之无愧的成为了文化范畴中一种不可或缺的元素。然而，由于受不同的价值观、风俗习惯、宗教信仰、生活环境和历史发展的影响，英汉两种语言分别反映出各具其自身特色的文化内涵。本文试从文化角度比较英汉语言中的颜色词汇的异同，由微观到宏观，向读者展示出两种语言的艺术魅力。通过对比分析，可获知，熟识英汉语言颜色词汇的文化内涵具有极其重要的意义。其一，辨别区分两种语言颜色词汇的异同促使学生更有效地学习目标语；其二，掌握两种语言颜色词汇文化内涵的相似性与差异性，将其运用到实践当中，有助于消除中西方因文化差异产生的误解，更好地促进跨文化交际和翻译的发展。【关键词】颜色词汇;文化角度;文化内涵ContentsAbstract (English)iAbstract (Chinese).iiContents.iiiChapter One Introduction.1Chapter Two The Similarities in the Connotations of Color Words in both Languages.32.1 Cultural Connotations of “White”.32.2 Cultural Connotations of “Blue”42.3 Cultural Connotations of “Black”.4Chapter Three The differences in the Connotations of Color Words in both Languages.63.1 Cultural Connotations of “Red”.63.2 Cultural Connotations of “Yellow”.73.3 Cultural Connotations of “Green”.7Chapter Four Causes that Affect the Connotations of Color Words.94.1 History background94.2 Geographical Environment.94.3 Religions.104.4 Perspectives.10Chapter Five Conclusion.11Bibliography.12Chapter One IntroductionCultural connotation is the reflection of human life, the records of human activities and the precipitation of history. It is peoples needs and requirements, ideal and desire for life, as well as spiritual reposing. With its special ideological and theoretical elements, cultural connotation is peoples ethical and moral cognizance and obedience, as well as the standards of peoples lifestyle. The value of cultural connotation, with its central features on personality, is the core of cultural consciousness, also the fountain of national cohesion and enterprising spirit. It deeply influences the thoughts and behaviors of human group in the fields of morality, religion, art, science, economy, politics, law, custom, etc. Due to different values, customs, religions, living environment and historical development, each nationality has formed its own cultural norms, which is called “cultural features”. These cultural features respectively reflect their expressions. Namely, there exists similar or different representation method for the same meaning under different cultural circumstances, and also the same expression method passing the distinct cultural connotations. If you dont know these cultural similarities and differences in the language connotation, you will never reach the aim of communication, and even cause misunderstanding and disgust. Color, an objective and special substance form, is closely related to human life. People could respond it both visually and emotionally. Color words are indipensable in human languages. Because of the distinctions of cultural background and psychology, different nations have different associations and feelings to color words. With the development of society and evolution of history, color words not only have the basic conceptual meanings but also have deep connotative meanings. Different ethnic groups hold different views on color category. A nations classification on the color words has close relationship with its ecological and cultural environment. Owing to cultural factors, there exists differences between classifications of color words in languages; and there also exists similar views on this issue in ethnic groups. With the high development of communication between Chinese and western culture, color words, with its meaningful cultural connotations, is inevitably becoming one of the obstacles of cross-cultural communication. So its of great importance to distinguish the connotations of color words in both languages as it can facilitate cross-cultural communication and improve beginners language ability.Chapter Two The Similarities in the Connotations of Color Words in both LanguagesThough there are different cultures, customs and ways of thinking in different countries, from a large extent, the external conditions in which mankind live are common. Based on the common understanding and experiences, people from all over the world tend to achieve sort of consensus on the colors. Different nations may vest a color in the same symbolic meanings leading to associated coincidences of color words.2.1 Cultural Connotations of “White”Some associated meanings about “white” are similar both in English and Chinese. In English, it stands for honesty. Expressions like “white spirit”, “white soul”, “white man” and “white hand” contains its connotation. “White” also refers to kindness and harmlessness. Sometimes we cannot tell others the truth because we dont want to hurt them. So we have to tell them “white lies” which means lies full of kindness. “Snow White” is a symbol of idealistic lady combing with wisdom, gentleness and beauty. Angels, symbolizing pure and lovely people, have a pair of white wings with them. The white swan in the famous ballet opera Swan Lake is the symbol of goodness, chastity and niceness. In addition, “white Christmas” symbolizes happiness, welfare and festivity. “A white day” means an auspicious day. “White moments of life” refers to ones golden time in carrer; “days marked with a white stone” means happy times in ones life. As connotations of white are admirable, there are some extend meanings of it such as justice and equity. “They treated us white” means that they treated us equally without prejudice. The phrase “white light” means righteous judgment. In Chinese, although there are some negative meanings about “white” as it is often be related to death and funeral ceremony, it still have some positive meanings representing hope, peace, innocence, purity, justice and goodness, as reflected in sayings like “洁白如玉(as white as jade)”, “清白无辜(totally innocent)”, “阳春白雪(decent literature)”, “白衣天使(angels in white-hospital nurses)”, “白色收入(legal incomes of Chinese people)” and “白道(regular and proper methods)”. And nowadays, like westerners, almost every Chinese brides choose white wedding dress as is beautiful and graceful.In brief, “white” has the commendatory associated connotations in both Chinese and western culture.2.2 Cultural Connotations of “Blue”Blue is a gentle and cool color. In chinese, “blue” stands for peace and silence, often call in peoples memories of the sky and the sea. Western scholars also think so and they call the sky or the sea “the blue”. It can be proved from English sayings like “a bolt from the blue (晴天霹雳)”, and “once in a blue moon(千载难逢)”. The color often reminds people of longing for the future. Suppose how comfortable it would be if we could fly in the sky like a bird or swim in the ocean like a fish! Blue is so well-known that “blue jeans” is popular all over the world. Almost everyone in the world has blue jeans no matter what nationality he is. In English literature, blue also stands for gracefulness and loyalty. “The blue blood” means the one who is born in a noble family. “True blue will never stain” means that a loyal person will never do bad things.Whats more, in both languages “blue” implies “sad” or “depressed”. When someone is upset, we can say “he looks blue” or “he is in a blue mood”. The expression “Blue Monday” expresses peoples unwillingness to go back to work or study after enjoying a happy weekend. There comes to be a sentence, You aint been blue till youve had that Mood Indigo, in the song Mood Indigo. All the proofs states that “blue” is the delegate of “depressed”. In economy vocabulary, the term “blue-collar”(“蓝领”in Chinese) refers to workers engaging in manual labors.Therefore, the word “blue” has the similar conceptional meanings and cultural connotations both in Chinese and in English.2.3 Cultural Connotations of “Black”Owing to its gloomy tonal, “black” is the worst one in meaning among the various color words. There are commom cultural connotations in both languages about “black”, as it is associated with “evil”, “harmful” or “vicious”. Words like “black market(黑市)” and “black hearted(黑心)” both have the negative meanings. Words and phrases that describe someones bad mood or look are as follows: black-browed (worried); to be under a black dog (to be deeply upset);to go into the back (to mourn);to give sb. a black look (to give sb. a dirty look); etc. Whats more, some people with thoughts of superstition are seriously bored with “Black Friday” which is on the thirteenth day of a month. They may not go out on that day bacause they are afraid of unfortune falling on them. The phrase “black sheep” refers to those who have bad reputations. For example, “He is the black sheep of the family.”Black is a taboo in China as it brings people with grief and sorrow. The Avernus in legend is full of darkness and opposite to brightness. So black stands for death and horror. In ancient times, criminals were carved in their faces and painted with black ink. So black has the meaning of shame. Another connotation of black is illegal things as can be expressed in “黑社会(gangland)”, “黑户(family without residence registration)”, “黑车(unlisensed cab)”, “黑货(smuggled goods)”, “黑市(black market)” and “黑名单(blacklist)”. During the Great Cultural Revolution period, the turbulent society creates some new words such as “黑五类” and “黑帮子女” which refer to the offsprings of the anti-revolutionary people.In brief, black shares dependent derogatory connotations both in Chinese and Western culture due to similar awareness.Chapter Three The differences in the Connotations of Color Words in both LanguagesDue to different cultural backgrounds, there exists many differences in the connotations of the same color words in Chinese and English. Some typical differences are illustrated as follows.3.1 Cultural Connotations of “Red”In the west, “red” symbolizes “violence” and “bleeding”, for instance, the red rules of tooth and claw; red hands; red battle; red revolution; red activities. In “red alert” and “red adventure story”, it means danger and tension. The expression “red-ruin” means the bleeding scene after the war. Sometimes “red” is accociated with female. “Red lady” means prostitute. In the English novel Tess of the Durbervilles, red has appeared for fifteen times, such as “red ribbon”, “red wrath”, “red coal”, “red-berried hedges”, “red paint”, “red petticoat”, “red top lip”, “red interior of her mouth” and “red tyrant”. We can infer from those words that even though red expresses Tesss youth and beauty, it implies the danger and tragedy to come into being sooner or later. “Red” is also related to economy on behalf of liabilities and losses such as “red figure”, “red balance” and “red moon”.However, the Chinese have a special affection and deep love for “red”. They think it stands for happiness, warmness, brightness, success and wealth. In Chinese, “开门红” means to begin well or to make a good start; “红光满面”means ones face is glowing with health; “红颜知己”means a bosom friend with a pretty face or a beautiful intimate woman friend; “红极一时” means to be well known for a time or to enjoy popularity for a time; “红颜薄命” means the beautiful women who suffer unhappy fates; “红双喜” means the double happiness written in red which is put up onto the wall of the new couples house before getting married; “红火” means flouring which is used to describe business; “红歌星” means the singer who is extremely popular at that time; “红娘” means go between or matchmaker; “红运” means good luck; “红榜” means the honor roll; “红包” means a red paper envelope containing money as a gift, tip or bonus. “红蛋” refers to the eggs dyed red on the happy occasion of the birth of a child and given as gifts to friends and relatives. Almost all the connotations of red in Chinese is approving.3.2 Cultural Connotations of “Yellow” “Yellow” is the color of Han Nationality respected by all the Chinese people. We call our mother river “the Yellow River”. And we belong to “the Yellow race”. In old China, “yellow” has been put onto a high position, standing for dignity, which has been the proprietary color of the Emperor. The Kings throne, clothes and the Palace roof tile are all yellow. “The imperial yellow robe”, belonging to the Emperor only, has been looked on as the symbol of the imperial authority. Moreover, “yellow” also stands for wealth as we hear of “黄金时间”, “黄金地段”. And the term “黄熟” means good crop. So it comes to a traditional idiom named “黄粱美梦” which means Golden Millet Dream from the story of a poor scholar who dreamt he had become an official but awoke to find the pot of millet still cooking on the fire pipe dream. “黄道吉日” means a lucky day. So the Chinese have a special love for “yellow”. But “yellow” usually represents danger, degradation, sickness and death in English culture and there is no good meanings for it. Yellow journalism, in American English, refers to the newspaper style to attract the readers by means of babbittry utterances and deliberately exagerate reports. “Yellow dog” means beggary man; “yellow livered” means timid; “yellow looks” means suspicious expressions; “To wear yellow horse” means to be jealous. In 1602, Middleton described the female with disposition to jealousy as “yellow lady”. Shakespeare used the word “yellow jealousy” the first time in his The Winters Tale in 1611. In addition, a person who is yellow has no courage in English culture. The terms “yellow blight” and “yellow fever” mean certain kinds of diseases in English.3.3 Cultural Connotations of “Green” In China, “green” is the favourable color. It is the life color of the plants. As is associated with spring, grass lands, forests and lakes, the ancient people used to consider it as youth, peace, hope, security, good luck and freshness. Green reminds people of environmental protection as our earth is seriously polluted. Chinese government is paying more and more attention to the protection of ecological environment as more and more forests are disappearing. “Green Olympic” is one of the themes of Beijing Olympic Sports Meeting in 2008. Its cultural connotation is to take the project construction, market development, procurement, logistics, accommodation, dining and other large activities with the idea of “sustainable development” caring for environmental protection, resources protection and ecological protection. The term “绿色食品” means food without chemical pollution. Moreover, green is also associated with women in Chinese culture. “绿云扰扰” is used in ancient literature to describe the beautiful and long hairs of concubines in the imperial palace.But in English, “green” is the metaphor of envy. Phrases like “green-eyed”, “green with envy” and “be/get green” means someone is jealous. This sort of meaning is based on the western conception that green is the symbol of health and activeness, which is a provocation to other colors. So westerners identify green with jealousy. In addition, “green” also refers to having no experience and being lack of training. “Green hands” means someone who is a newbie. Another connotation of “green” is infantility. “Do you see any green in my eyes?” means “Do you think I am naive enough to be cheated?” Amrican currency is called “greenback” because the back side of it is green. Therefore, green stands for money, wealth and capitalism in America. The term “green power” means the power of money. Under most circumstan