中英颜色词的文化差异及翻译.doc

1、 主要参考文献宋萍. 中英颜色文化差异研究项睿. 跨文化背景下中英颜色词内涵差异的探究蒋冰清.论英汉颜色词的比较与翻译纪兰芬.颜色词语翻译中文化缺省的补偿2、 计划进度阶段起止日期1拟定初步题目，查阅资料3.9日之前2提交任务书和开题报告3.9 3.163交给导师提纲3.16 3.234初稿和文件综述3.24 4.135交终稿和评议书4.13 4.30指 导 教师： 年 月 日教研室主任： 年 月 日注：一式三份，学院（系）、指导教师、学生各一份 河北师范大学本科生毕业论文（设计）开题报告书河北师范大学本科生毕业论文（设计）文献综述 Literature Review With the development of the society, more and more people have realized the importance of cross-cultural communication, so they begin to pay more attention to it and have made progress in it. Both Chinese and English have the color words, though their connotations are quite differentUnderstanding and grasping their differences is quite important in the cross-cultural communication. And so many studies discuss the English Color Words cross-cultural language habits, or usage history, customs and cultural backgrounds. Among them, the translation theory of functional equivalence is suitable and widely used. In general it is best to speak of functional equivalence in terms of a range of adequacy as no translation is ever completely equivalent. A number of different translations can in fact represent varying degrees of equivalence. This means that equivalence cant be understood in its mathematical meaning of identity, but only in terms proximity, i.e. on the basis of degrees of closeness to functional identity. Such a view of functional equivalence implies different degrees of adequacy from minimal to maximal effectiveness on the basis of both cognitive and experiential factors. A minimal, realistic definition of functional equivalence could be stated as the readers of a translated text should be able to comprehend it to the point that they can conceive of how the original readers of the text must have understood and appreciated it. Anything less than this degree of equivalence should be unacceptable. A maximal, ideal definition could be started as the readers of a translated text should be able to understand and appreciate it in essentially the same manner as the original readers did. In another book The Theory and Practice of Translation (1969), Nida gives further and more exact definition of Dynamic Equivalence. Dynamic Equivalence is therefore to be defined in terms of the degree to which the receptors of the message in the receptor language respond to it in substantially the same manner as the receptors in the source language.The translation of color words represents different culture connotation in a need of translation theory as a guide. Because the purpose of translations is to pass on an understanding to people in their own language and create the same impact as the original passage. Translation aims at transmitting meanings, comprehending and promoting communicating by means of surpassing language obstacles and changing language forms. So it is easily found that translation is a kind of cross-culture communication activity. It is not just a matter of seeking other words with similar meaning but a matter of finding appropriate ways of saying things in another language. Different languages may use different linguistic forms. This is extremely important for us to understand the phenomenon of translating. In such a translation the focus of attention is directed, not so much toward the source message, as toward the receptor response. A dynamic-equivalence (or D-E) translation may be described as one concerning which a bilingual and bicultural person can justifiably say, that is just the way we would say it. It is important to realize, however, that a D-E translation is not merely another message which is more or less similar to that of the source. It is a translation, and as such must clearly reflect the meaning and intent of the source.So the theory of functional equivalence pays much attention to the feeling of two kinds of readers (the original reader and the target language reader) in the pursuit of equal effect in two languages instead of mechanically the equality of language form. The greater the differences between the source and target languages, the greater the need for adjustments. In general, however, the differences in culture give rise to more important adjustments than the differences in language. If a more or less literal correspondence is functionally equivalent in both designative and associative meaning, then obviously no adjustments in form are necessary. The most important point in the color words translation is the translation of cultural connotation. Especially in the existing of differences between the literal meaning and extended meaning (hidden meaning) it is essential to reach the same reflection in the original reader and the target language readers instead of mechanically the equality of language form through the theory of functional equivalence. To lean English well, all of us should pay more attention to the translation theory, and at the same time try our best to put the theory and practice together. As nobody can translate English well without the correct theory, so everyone should use the theory when they meet the problems about translation.本科生毕业论文设计 题目 中英颜色词的文化差异及翻译 Culture Difference and Translation of Chinese and English Color WordsBYA Thesis Submitted to the B.A.Committee in Partial Fulfillment of theRequirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts In English Department of Huihua CollegeHebei Normal UniversityApril 30th, 2012摘要语言和文化有着紧密的联系，不同的颜色和颜色词是非常丰富的人类语言。在语言中，词汇是最最活跃的因素，并且颜色词在词汇中的意义更是丰富多彩的。颜色词用自己的魔力提升了语言的内涵。各民族在历史的长河中已经形成了他们独特的关于颜色的观点，以此来反应其华丽的民族文化。在汉语和英语中，许多颜色词用来反映不同的文化内涵和感伤情怀。丰富多彩的颜色词反映了他们自己的风采。在文化交流中，由于不同的文化背景，和社会风俗习惯的差异，不同的人对颜色词有着不同的理解, 所以颜色词的象征意义在中国和西方文化中产生巨大的差异。本文通过汉语和英语的不同角度对颜色词的内涵进行分析，试图说明语言和文化的关系是如何作用于颜色词的内涵而找到适合的翻译方法，并明确的表示出颜色词在任何语言中不仅仅表达的是自己的意思，而且被雕刻和赋予了每个民族的文化特征。关键词:文化差异 颜色词 内涵 翻译AbstractThere is close relation between language and culture, and different color or color words are very rich in human language. In language, vocabulary is the most active factor and the meanings of color words in the vocabulary are abundant. Color words enhance the language connotation by their own magic. Various nationalities have formed their unique color views in the long-term history reflecting gorgeous national culture. Many color words in Chinese and English are used to reflect various cultural content and sentimental feelings, the varied color words which mirror their own graceful bearing. In the cultural exchange because of the differences in cultural background and social custom and habits people have different understandings about the color signals, so the symbolic meaning of color can produce great difference in Chinese and western culture. This paper analyses from different perspectives the connotations of color terms in English and Chinese, tries to demonstrate how the relations between language and culture take a great effect on the connotations of color words, finds the correct way to translation and makes it clear that color terms in any language are not only the expressing of colors themselves, but also are carved and endowed with rich cultural characteristics of each nation.Key Words: Cultural differences Color words Connotation TranslationiContents摘要 iAbstract iiIntroduction 1Chapter I Color Words and Culture Connotation 31.1 Basic Cultural Connotation41.1.1 Cultural Connotation of Color Words in Chinese51.1.2 Cultural Connotation of Color Words in English71.2 Special Cultural Connotation of Color Cords101.2.1 Color and History 101.2.2 Color and Custom 111.2.3 Color and Politics 121.2.4 Color and Economics 12Chapter II The Influence of Cultural Difference on Color Words142.1 The Differences of Color Words in Conception142.2 The Differences of Color Words in Culture15 Chapter III The Translation of Chinese and English Color Words163.1 Literal Translation163.1.1 Purity Color Literal Translation163.1.2 Changing ColorLiteral Translation163.1.3 Adding WordsLiteral Translation173.1.4 Adding Notes Literal Translation173.2 Free Translation173.3 Translation of Losing Message183.4 Annotation Translation183.5 Dynamic Equivalence Translation193.6 Other Translation20Conclusion21Bibliography22IntroductionResearch BackgroundA language not only express facts, opinions, or events, but also reflects the peoples attitudes, beliefs, and world outlooks. People of different culture structure the world around them differently, at least they use the language to describe that world. Languages differ remarkably from one and another, and these differences are related to important differences in the customs and behaviors and other aspects of the culture. In a word, language is a mirror of culture. When we learn a new word we tend to look for its meaning in the word itself. Yet in addition to its dictionary meanings, the same word may stir up different associations in people,because of cultural differences. In our daily life, color words are the common illustrations of the cultural differences in language use. In Chinese and English cultures, color words are in the same way influenced by culture and used widely in peoples daily life.Research Significance People live in a colorful world and color plays an extremely important role in our lives. As a powerful form of communication, color is irreplaceable. Many color words in Chinese and English are used to reflect various cultural content and sentimental feelings. In Chinese and English, varied color words mirror their own graceful bearing. English color words are generated in many specific historical and geographical background, and most of these words could be regarded as aculture-bound words. In the cultural exchange because of the differences in cultural background and social customs and habits people have different understandings about the color terms. This thesis analyzes the relationship between colors, social cultural and external cultural exchange through the discussion in cultural connotation of Chinese and English color words. The adequacy of translations has traditionally been judged on the basis of the correspondence in lexicon and grammar between the source and target languages. Judging the validity of a translation cant stop with a comparison of corresponding lexical meanings, grammatical classes and rhetorical devices. What is important is the extent to which receptors correctly understand and appreciate the translated text. Its meaningful and effective to discuss color words and culture connotation and the influences of cultural difference on color words. Besides, to have a good master of the differences and similarities of the meanings of color words and their cultural connotations is a prerequisite for a better understanding of Chinese and English cultures, which will promote the cultural communication.Innovation of the ResearchThe English language is developing constantly, keeping absorbing more color words. The creation of this thesis is that my study focuses on color words in western English which keeps pace with the times and the latest development.This paper tries to illustrate the different symbolic meanings of color words in Chinese and English cultures by comparison and analysis of them. Generally speaking, in Chinese culture, the symbolic meanings of color words are related to the influences of feudal system, feudal superstition, primitive science, and poor education. And in English culture, the symbolic meanings of color words are affected by the Western nationality openness, science, education degree. The colors are of a few mystery meanings. The symbolic meanings of color words have been formed in the development of society and historical precipitation. Thus the symbolic meanings of color between Chinese culture and western culture will be quite different from each other. This paper focuses on the words of color and the symbolic meanings of these words between Chinese culture and western culture, it also shows us the comparison between English and Chinese. We can aware of that the use of color terms varies from language to language, from culture to culture.Chapter I Color words and culture connotationMany color words in Chinese and English are used to reflect various cultural content and sentimental feelings. Especially in Chinese, the varied color words mirror their own graceful bearing. In the culture inter-exchange, because of the differences in cultural background and social customs and habits people have different understandings about the color signals. Chinese feudalism, backward science and technology and education condition force the main differences. The western culture and ideas represent the color more rationally and less mysteriously. The influences in color words caused by social culture are lasting and deep-rooted, so having acquaintance with the cultural, historical, geographical and social backgrounds of the color words in Chinese and English languages can promote the cultural exchange and bilingual translation.There is a poem full of color words, we can see something special in it .Dear white，something you got to know.When I was born，I was black.When I grow up，I am black.When Im under the sun，Im black.When Im cold，Im black.When Im afraid，Im black.When Im sick，Im black.When I die，Im still black.You-white people，When you were born，you were pink.When you grow up，you become white.Youre red under the sun.Youre blue when youre cold.You are yellow when youre afraid.Youre green when youre sick.Youre gray when you die.And you，call me color ?（Xiang Rui, 2011, p98）This poem is truly colorful. With a few words, it comprises the most common colors: black, white, pink, red, blue, yellow, green and grey. As it depicts, black and white distinctively represented skin color, other colors are more than just colors, they work as a metaphor for more complex culture blend. This poem take colors as tokens for discriminations towards black people from white sarcastically expressed its compassion and confusion.As communication increases, merge between east and west is going further. Colors terms are widely admitted among different cultures and countries. The differences are getting smaller and smaller. The emotion one color represents is shift to a more universal perspective. For example, in Chinese culture, the color white is not such a pleasant color. On the contrary, in the west, the color white represents purity and allegiance. With the strong influence from the west, Chinese new brides are wearing white for wedding in stead of the traditional color red. Another example would be the color blue. In China, blue is not such a color attached with emotions. Nowadays, in China people will think of depression, sadnesswhen it comes to the color blue.All in all, through the discussion in cultural connotation of Chinese and English color words we can take a clear view of color words in different language backgrounds reflecting their own meanings and functions. Besides, that we are living in a colorful society, color words have inseparable connection with history, customs, politics and economics.1.1 Basic cultural connotationFrom the scientific definition, color is a visual phenomenon launched, reflected or caused through certain light wave by the object, it is a kind of visual essential features of human eye. All kinds of colors consist of the gorgeous world. There are abundant words to present different color in Chinese and English. Scientifically speaking, the color is basic feature in eyes of human being. As we all known, people in the west encourage the education of science and development of scientific methods hundreds of years ago. People demonstrate scientific attitude towards objective worlds and understandings. In the influence of such attitude the cultural connotations of color words in English are more direct. On the other hand, Chinese culture is influenced by thousands of feudal system and backward technology resulting in the production of all kinds of color words in a mysterious way. There are two main kinds of color terms: basic color terms and object color terms. Basic color terms means words used to describe the color of objects when they appear. (Lu Hongmei, 2006, p135). Object color terms mean terms used to indicate colors which are the names of objects. (Lu Hongmei, 2006, p135 ) Both English and Chinese color words in the language can be divided into basic color words and real color words, but the number of English and Chinese color words basic division and not the same. Cultural traditions, geographical environment, and customs and other factors caused the different recognition and classification of color words. What thesis wants to discuss is mainly the colors of red, yellow, white, black, blue and green. What follows is the comparison of these color words in Chinese and English. 1.1.1 Cultural connotation of color words in ChineseRed (红色): Chinese people always associate the red color with the sun and fire which can bring people brightness and warmness so the red color is often the representative of happiness, well-being, joy, auspiciousness and enthusiasm etc. (Yang Qiong, 2010