Analysis of English and Chinese Idioms from an Intercultural Perspective英语毕业论文.docx

Analysis of English and Chinese Idioms from an Intercultural PerspectiveAbstract: As an important part of language, idioms are fixed phrases with particular meanings. They are well-known and they play an increasingly important role in peoples daily life. Both oriental and western people are accustomed to use idioms because they are concise, vivid and humorous. Idioms are the essence of culture in every country and they embody the rich cultural features. If people dont understand the cultural connotation reflected in idioms they may have great difficulty in intercultural communication. Therefore it is necessary for language learners to understanding idioms from a cultural perspective. This paper is divided into three parts. The first part shows people what idiom is, what culture is, as well as their relationship. The second part shows cultural similarities and differences between Chinese and English idioms. The aim of this thesis is to enhance language leaners intercultural awareness of comprehending and utilizing idioms from different cultures precisely and accurately. Key words: idioms; cultural connotation; intercultural communication.I.IntroductionEvery language in this world has a great many of idioms, especially those highly developed tongue. Idioms consist of set phrases and short sentences, which are peculiar to the language and steeped in the national and regional culture and ideas, thus being colorful, forcible and thought-provoking. (Zhang Weiyou, 181) Its believed that foreign languages learners learn not only language, but also the culture in which language shapes and develops. The process of receiving a language is also the process of acquiring the culture related since they affect each other so deeply and widely. English and Chinese, as two of most highly developed languages in the world, definitely contains abound idioms. Britain and China which once have contributed a lot to world civilization and caused a tremendous impact to the whole world are absolutely representatives of Western culture and Orientals. English, as the most active and widely used language, enjoys a vast idiomatic basis which makes its learning very exciting and interesting with about 4,000 idioms used in the daily communication. Similarly, there are also many idioms in Chinese language. However, because of cultural differences, there exist great differences between English and Chinese idioms. As language learners, they should develop their cultural awareness and have a clear understanding of the cultural differences between Chinese and English idioms in order to achieve success in intercultural communication. II. Idioms and Culture2.1 Definition of idioms According to Oxford Advanced Learners English-Chinese Dictionary, an idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of individual words. Idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual constitutes, and in a broad sense, it includes colloquialisms, catchphrases, slang expressions, proverbs, etc. correspondingly, Chinese has similar terms “chengyu”(成语) which in Current Chinese Dictionary is defined as phrases or short sentences that have been accustomed used and consist of a certain number of characters, brief and profound; “xiehouyu”(歇后语) ,a two-part allegorical saying; “yanyu” (谚语), a simple sentence, widely used, easily understood and profound truth contained. Idioms have three essential features. The first one is semantic unity. Idioms are made up of two or more parts but its meaning is not most simple combination of every part. It is a inseparable unity, which cant be divided and translated word for word; the second feature is stability, which means that each part which makes up the idiom is regular, cant be divided and changed the position at will. Because the idioms are refined through the long-term use and the structure is fixed, an change can make it different from the original meaning; the third feature of idioms is harmony of sound. Idioms often make use of harmonious sound to make them easy to be understood and memorized, pleasant to ears as well as vivid. 2.2 Definition of culture Culture (from the Latin culture stemming from colere, meaning “to cultivate”) generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activitys significance and importance. Different definitions of “culture” reflect different theoretical bases for understanding, or criteria for evaluating human activity (Claire, 10). There are many meanings of the word “culture”. Sometimes, people say that people who know about music, act, and literature are cultured. However, to an anthropologist the word “culture” means all the ways that a group of people think, feel, act and dress. The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English gives such an explanation of culture: the customs, beliefs, art, music, and all the other products of human thought made by a particular group of people at a particular time. There is no standard for definition of culture. Culture is the way of life of a particular society or group of people, including patterns of thought, beliefs, behavior, customs, traditions, rituals, dress, and language, as well as art, music, and literature (Websters New World Encyclopedia, 1992). And culture is a shared pattern of belief, feeling and adaptation, which people carry in their minds. Based on the different definitions mentioned above, it could clearly be seen that culture is the way people live. 2.3 Language and culture It is known that language is closely related to culture and can be said as a part of culture. From a dynamic view, language and culture interact with each other and shape each other. Language is the carrier of culture which in turn is the content of language. People can dig out cultural features from language and explain language phenomena with culture. Idioms as a special form of language exist in both of them and carry a large amount of cultural information such as history, geography, and religion, custom, nationality psychology, thought pattern and etc., and therefore are closely related to culture. they are the heritage of history and product of cultural evolvement. Consequently, people can know much about culture through studying idioms and in turn get better understanding of idioms by learning the cultural background behind them.III. Cultural Similarities and Differences between Chinese and English Idioms The origins and development of English and Chinese idioms are not the same. Chinese has a close relation with the Chinese culture. Many Chinese idioms can be translated when the Chinese culture expressed by them are uncovered. However, English idioms are bound up with British and American cultures. Culture similarities and differences between Chinese and English idioms are discussed in the following aspects. 3.1 Similarities Both China and Britain have a long-time history, ancient civilization and glorious culture. Both the two countries have the similar experience and thought. During the communications of the two countries, cultures are interacting. This made some idioms have the same or similar culture characteristic. Therefore, the idioms are corresponding no matter in meaning or cultural flavor. In such condition, we could understand them directly. For example, failure is the mother of success; misfortunes never come singly; lose face; bull market; pour oil in fire. All these show the similarities between the two cultures. 3.2 Differences Chinese and English cultures are totally different. These differences are embodied in the following aspects.3.2.1 Religions and believesAs a cultural phenomenon, religion, which is the manifestation of different cultures, is the vital part of human thought. It penetrates into every possible aspect of peoples daily life, which consequently causes great cultural differences between people with different religious beliefs.China is a multi-religious country, yet comparatively speaking, Buddhism has a greater influence in Chinese culture. it was first introduced into China in the first century AD, and has shaped the Chinese languages, diet, arts, etc., and greatly stimulated the development of Chinese literature. The large number of words and idioms derived from Buddhism is one of the manifestations of its influence, such as “现身说法”（to make a personal example as an effective means of convincing others）,“半路出家”（switch to a new trade without solid foundation）,“放下屠刀，立地成佛”（a butcher becomes a Buddha the moment he drops his cleaver-a wrongdoer achieves salvation as soon as he gives up evil）. They are all words from the activities of Buddhism in China. Besides, to the ordinary Chinese, heave is the supreme ruler of the world. All happenings on the earth are believed to be controlled and arranged by heaven, hence it gives rise to the following idioms:“谋事在人成事在天”（man proposes, heaven disposes）.In contrast to the Chinese, most of the westerners are Christians, who believed that the world was created by God, and that everything in the world is arranged and disposed of according to Gods will. The teachings and beliefs concerning Christianity are recorded in the Bible, therefore, numerous idioms have come into peoples colloquial speech, and have become mottoes: God helps those who help themselves; fall on stony ground; old Adam; a doubting Thomas; all things to all men. Like the word “heaven” in Chinese, God is a household word in English. It is often used in their oral conversation, for they believe that God is so just, merciful and powerful that he is capable of helping the needy and relieving the distressed, for example, “oh, my God”, “God bless me”, “”honest to God” etc. 3.2.2 Social customs Language is shaped during peoples daily life and social customs have a great influence on idioms. There are many differences in social customs between Chinese and English languages. The most obvious one is the attitudes towards dogs. Dogs in Chinese stand a lower and humble status. We can find the following idioms like: “狐朋狗党”（gang of scoundrel）,“狗嘴里吐不出象牙”(a filthy mouth cannot utter decent language). In these idioms, the word “dog” points to bad things and it has the derogatory sense. We use these phrases to criticize somebody. But in western culture like England, people always regard dogs as their loyal friends. In English idioms, the dogs image is often used to indicate human characteristics: lucky dog; every dog has his day; love me, love my dog; big dog; sick as a dog.(Zhang Miao, 15) All these idioms dont have the derogatory sense in Chinese. They are used when praise or glorify someone. If we dont know the differences of customs between the two countries, we will make a joke. Another case in this point is dragon. Chinese people admire and worship this imagined animal. It is the symbol of the Chinese nation; and it is the symbol of authority, strength and good fortune. In English, though dragon can bring the association of “strength” and “power”, it gives derogatory association. When seeing this word in English, people always think of cruelty, devilishness and viciousness. But Chinese idioms about dragon express Chinese peoples appreciation and love to dragon. Similarly, owl implies wisdom and calmness in the west. The idiom “as wise as an owl” indicates that English-speaking people associate brightness and wisdom with this bird. In childrens books and cartoons, the owl is usually solemn and wise. In disputes among birds and beasts, it is the owl that they go to for advice. However, there is a superstitious belief that this bird is a sign of bad luck and the symbol of sinister things among many Chinese. So comes the common Chinese saying: an owl visiting a home portends misfortune in that household. The mere sight of an owl or the sound of the creatures hooting might cause people to draw back in fear. It can be seen from above that English people very different associations of animals from the Chinese. This is also a reflection of different culture. 3.2.3 Historic allusion Different countries possess different history culture, which mainly comprises allusion, myths, poems, ancient books and records, etc. Among them, allusion is the most important; it reflects the national characteristics. Idioms from history culture are the gems of human cultural heritage. Because of the different historical backgrounds of the English and Chinese people, there are different legends and anecdotes about historical figures which have provided rich and varied materials for their idioms, and consequently give a national color to the idioms in the two countries. There are a lot of idioms in the Chinese language which cannot find equivalence in the English language because the histories of the two countries are quite different. Many Chinese idioms are from their own historical events which are well-known by Chinese people. For instance, the following idioms are from historical events in ancient China: “风声鹤唳草木皆兵”（be in an extremely nervous state in which one is frightened by the slightest sound）is from the defeat of Fu Jians (苻坚) army at Feishui River during the East Jin Dynasty. In contrast, Greek and Roman civilization have a great influence on the English language and they have greatly enriched the English idioms. Most English allusions come from the Bible and Greek Roman myth. For example, Achilles heel, which is from the Greek mythology, has the meaning “the one weak spot in a mans circumstances or character”; a Pandoras box, the origin of all evils. However, most of the following Chinese idioms are from Chinese historical works, ancient fables or fairy tales. They are vivid with profound meanings. For example: “拔苗助长”，try to help seeding grow by pulling themspoil things by undue haste; “夜郎自大”，refers to blinded by ones presumptuous self-conceit. Such allusions not only make the language richer, but also make communication much more vivid and often easier. 3.2.4 Living conditions Different people live in different conditions, they have to survive and make production in natural environment, so there are lots of idioms related to the natural environment. Britain, as an island country, has a history. Its culture relates to the sea. Once it was famous for its important status in navigation. So many English idioms are related to the sea life, such as “a sea of troubles”, “a kettle of fish” and “thoist your sail when the wind is fail”. On the other hand, China is a nation of agriculture so Chinese people value the lad highly. China is a typical agricultural country and has a large population involved in agriculture. For example, the Han people who belonged to an agrarian society placed agriculture production at the top of the national agenda, regarding industry and commerce as the non-essentials. During the long history of farming, the Chi