The Analysis of the Differences of Kinship Address Forms between Chinese and English.doc

The Analysis of the Differences of Kinship Address Forms between Chinese and English 教师： 学生： 学号： The analysis of the differences of kinship address forms between Chinese and English1. The definition of kinship address forms Kinship address forms 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. The kinship means the state of relatedness or connection by blood, marriage, or adoption. The differences of kinship indicate different culture between China and western countries.2. The differences of address of kinship between China and English(1) The degree of precisionIn fact, there is one specific form for each of the different kin address forms in Chinese, which is shown in table. A contrast of kin addresses form in English and Chinese.KinshipAddress FormInLanguageMale Female One Generation SeniorOne Generation JuniorOne Generation SeniorOne Generation JuniorFathersfamilyMothersfamilyFathersfamilyMothersfamilyFathersfamilyMothersfamilyFathersfamilyMothersfamilyChinesee-uncley-uncle姑父舅父姨父PaternalNephewmaternalNephew伯母婶母姑母舅母姨母侄女外甥女EnglishUncleNephewAuntNieceNote 1: 舅父=maternal uncle 姨父=maternal uncle-in-law 舅母=maternal aunt-in-law 姨母=maternal aunt 伯父=paternal elder uncle 叔父=paternal younger uncle 姑父=paternal elder uncle-in-law （e-uncle=elder uncle；y-uncle=younger uncle）伯母=paternal elder aunt-in-law 婶母=paternal younger aunt-in-law姑母=paternal aunt 侄子=paternal nephew 侄女=paternal niece外甥=maternal nephew 外甥女=maternal nieceGenerally speaking, English address forms are less complicated than Chinese address forms. In the whole kinship field, different languages bear great distinctions in address forms. There are many differences between Chinese and western languages. A most important characteristic of kinship address form in English is the fuzziness or mistiness of address forms. In this language, there is only one address form to gather up all the brothers, sisters and their offspring either from fathers family origin or from mothers family origin. In contrast, exactness of kinship address forms in Chinese is outstanding. Though the comparison, we realize that Chinese relations are more definite. This difference is not just in linguistics; it is fundamentally cultural. This kind of differences can bring out great problems to intercultural understanding.(2) The differences of kinship address in ages and generationIn Chinese, address forms are oriented by generation, age. For instance, there are eldest sister, little sister, and elder brother in Chinese family. The English addresses are single and not disporting ages. The male of the compeer in a family are called brother, and the female are called sister. Chinese people call the compeers who are older than father 伯伯 and call the compeers who are younger than father 叔叔. However , there is only one word in English uncle.When Chinese people address compeers, they pay attention to ages. Among different generations, they pay attention to certain generations. In china, there are nine races in bloodline. The lists rank as 高祖、曾祖、祖、父、本人、子、孙、曾孙、玄孙. The corresponding core words in English addresses to Chinese address are only father and son or to add grand before core word if it expresses grandfather, grandson or even low generation. If the generation contrasts too much, then one has to great or several greats. While in western countries, the equality is more outstanding. They can names of parents, teachers and the elder of the same compeers directly.(3) The differences of addresses in paternal and maternal relationshipChinese attaches importance to differences of addressed in paternal and maternal relationship. In Chinese, fathers brothers are called叔叔 or 伯伯 and mothers brothers are called 舅舅. In English, whether brothers in paternal and maternal relationship, they are all called uncle. And in Chinese address, maternal relatives are less important than paternal relatives. People add” 外” ahead the addresses, such as 外祖母、外祖父.(4) The diversity in the gender of addressesIf in Chinese, parents have sisters or brothers, based on gender and age, the children of them can be called as eight addresses: 表哥，表弟，表姐，表妹，堂哥，堂弟，堂姐，and 堂妹. These addresses describe the clear relations between the juniors parents and oneself.In English, the above eight addresses can be described as one word, cousin. We cannot tell whether the cousin belong to paternal relatives or maternal relatives.3. Reasons of the differences of address of kinship(1) Differences of family structureThe predilection of address of kinship predicates no more important in social life. The family in capitalism is very different from that in feudalism, reflected in language. China has long feudalism, whose cell of the society is kindred or family, which is extended family. Hierarchical system in feudalism is very clear. In order to protect the system, correlative and particular addresses appear.(2) Differences of relationship between peopleRelationship between people includes ascendency and consistency and is influenced by Confucianism. High status is superior, while low status is inferior. Various addresses of kinship are used to distinguish the position of different family members, which are also indicating the inequality relation. Western culture origins from Judah religion and Greece philosophic, which both are proclaiming the idea of individual spirit. Western culture learns to consistence relationship. They are used to call names whether they are relatives or family members.