On the Cultural Connotations of Color Words in English and Chinese英语专业毕业论文.docx

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1、On the Cultural Connotations of Color Words in English and ChineseAbstract: There are different kinds of colors. Color is closely related to peoples life. In human language, the color words are frequently used, and endowed with plentiful emotion and cultural connotation. In both Chinese and English,

2、 the words of different colors are abundant. We should pay attention to not only their own basic meaning but also their deeper symbolic meaning. Due to the respective cultural background and tradition, peoples feeling and expression to the color are not the same, so the symbolic meaning of color can

3、 produce great difference between Chinese and Western culture. Therefore it is essential to grasp the difference and similarity between the literal meaning and associative meaning. This paper is to compare and contrast the cultural connotations of color words in Chinese and English. Key words: color

4、 words, similarity, difference, backgroundContents: 1 the definition of color.2 similar cultural connotation of different color in Chinese and English 3 different cultural connotation of different color in Chinese and English4 conclusion. 1 The definition of color From the scientific definition, col

5、or is a visual phenomenon launched, reflected or caused through certain light wave by the object; it is one kind of visual essential features of human eye. 2. Similarities of color words Color words are frequently used in Chinese and English. Color cognition, is the most basic human cognitive catego

6、ries. People share great similarities in terms of color perception. as a reflection of language, although a variety of language expression of color are distinguished, the expression of the basic vocabulary of color among many languages, such as black, white, red, yellow, green, blue, are the same an

7、d very consistent. Due to the commonness of the language, some color words may have the same meaning in two specific cultures. 2.1 Red Red symbolizes happiness, pleasure, blessedness and blessing both in China and the English-speaking countries. So there are lots of similarities in using it. It ofte

8、n connects with success and importance. The phrase “give somebody a red carpet of reception” means make a warm welcome to some important person. When the Spring Festival is coming, Chinese often put the red couplets on doors and windows. Red also means that someone is healthy and sanguine both in Ch

9、ina and the English-speaking countries. For example: a fine old gentleman, with a face as red as a rose. This sentence means that the old gentleman is very healthy and sanguine. Red is often used to show some emotions in English. For example, become red-faced, turn red, and see red. The phrase “beco

10、me red with anger/shame” is the same as the phrase “脸红” in Chinese.2.2 BlackBlack is not a good word both in Chinese and in English-speaking countries. It is often used to express ones anger or some evil things. When black is plus with a noun, it often means bad things and something without any hope

11、, as in black market(黑市), a black heart(黑心), black money(黑钱), black guard(恶棍), a black sheep(害群之马), and black eye(丢脸),etc. All these new phrases can be directly translated into Chinese. 2.3 GreenBoth green light in English and “绿灯”in Chinese are associated with authoritative permission to go ahead w

12、ith some project. Apparently, they are derived form traffic regulations. 3. Differences of color words The vocabulary of color words are very rich. Attention needs to be paid not only to their own observation of the basic meaning, but also symbolic meaning, in that their symbolic meanings in differe

13、nt languages often have different characteristics.3.1 Red Red is the basic color people cherish in Chinese culture, it embodies the spirit of the Chinese people and material pursuits. It is a symbol of good fortune, joy, and also revolution and progress. it means the smooth going, success, and beaut

14、y. While red in Western culture differs greatly from that in china, it symbolizes a brutality, bloodiness. It is symbolic of the radical, violent revolution, danger, and tension .It also symbolizes debauchery, obscene. 3.2 WhiteIn Chinese culture, white, on the contrast, is a basic taboo words. It r

15、eflects the Chinese peoples abandon and disgust in material and spiritual world. White is exhausted without blood, without the performance of life, symbol of death, ill omen. White psychological functions in their development process due to the impact of political functions, symbol of corrupt, react

16、ionary, backward.it also symbolized the failure, stupid, no profits available, it also symbolizes catawampus, insidious. Finally, it also symbolizes knowledge shallow, no fame. White symbolic significance in Western culture mainly focus on their own colors, such as the new snow, fresh milk and the c

17、olor of lily. Westerners think white shows grace and purity.so it is the color in respect of Western culture. It symbolizes pure and innocence, it also a symbol of integrity, honesty.3.3 BlackIn Chinese culture, black has a heavy sense of mystery, a solemn and serious tone. And its symbolic signific

18、ance is more complex due to the influence of Western culture. On the one hand, it symbolizes a severity and justice. On the other hand, because of its own people in the dark matt giving people insidious, sinister and terrifying feeling, It symbolizes evil, reactionary. Black is the basic taboo color

19、 in Western culture with the spirit of the rejection of the West and obnoxious. It symbolizes the death, ill omen, disaster, symbol of evil, crime. it is also symbolic of shame and disgrace, frustration and anger.3.4 Yellow In Chinese traditional culture, yellow is located in the center of the Five

20、Colors. So far, yellow is still the symbol of old China.黄袍 is the emperors dress,黄屋 is his carriage,黄钺is his guard of honor, 黄榜 is the proclamation published by him. And 黄道吉日 means an auspicious day. However, yellow in modern China has negative meanings, such as 黄色书刊，黄色录像.Here yellow has an extended

21、 meaning of obscene and pornographic, while in English are “the blue video”, “the blue talk”. Yellow in the west mostly has derogatory meanings. Here are some examples: yellow alert: alert in advance A yellow dog: a contemptible person yellow looks: suspicious looks Yellow streak: tending to be cowa

22、rd and chicken-hearted In English, yellow has some particular meanings in certain texts that have no relationship with sentiment. For example, the yellow pages is the telephone dictionary, yellow boy is the golden coins. 3.5Green In the Chinese traditional culture, Green ranks the first in the Five

23、Colors, signifying everything grows. In the feudal society, the dress of the government official on a lower level was regularized to be green, so it also symbolizes humble. 青衫绿袍 is a symbol of low position in the official career. In English there is a term green-eyed or green with envy, both of them

24、 mean jealous and envious. However in Chinese眼红describes the same meaning. In Chinese 带绿帽子means to be a cuckold. If we translate it word by word, misunderstanding will arise. No matter in English or Chinese, this symbolic meaning of green is all identical. Green in the western culture is mainly rela

25、ted to the color of the plants, it is the symbol of vigor and energy, for example, a green old age is associated with an old but vigorous man or woman. And to remain green forever means to keep fresh and vigorous forever, and also in the green; green also means fresh, such as keep a memory green, a

26、green wound, green meat; and it means immature, inexperienced and easily fooled, such as a green hand, a green horn refers to a raw, simple and inexperienced person, easily fooled or parted from his money. In some certain phrases, green has different meanings. For example, green-light means give per

27、mission to go ahead with. 3.6 Purple In China, purple is more often adopted by the feudal emperors and the Taoism. They called the auspicious air 紫气, the Taoist books are 紫书, the place which the deity living in is 紫台, the emperors palace is 紫禁城(the Forbidden City). In English, purple shares the same

28、 connotation as in Chinese language. In the eye of Westerners, purple is the symbol of emperor and power. “to be born in the purple” means “to be born in a royal family”; “to be raised to the purple” means “to be promoted to the position as a pope”; “purple passages” means “too florid words”, etc. I

29、n Chinese, 红得发紫means popular. Here is more: Marry into the purple: marry into a family of high social position Purple patches: pompous passages Turn purple with rage: fly into a fury Purple Heart: an insignia awarded to those wounded in the battle 3.7 Blue It seems that blue is a favorable word to C

30、hinese. The blue sky, can arouse us to yearn for a better future. In Western culture, however, blue does not associate with happiness and imagination, but gloom and depression. He is in a blue mood means he is sad or gloomy. Blue is also often associated with high social status or being aristocratic

31、. He is a real blue blood means he is from an aristocratic family. In addition, in U.S., a book with the names of famous figures, especially top government officials, is called blue book. Blue film means erotic film while in Chinese we call it 黄色电影。Here are more examples: Blue about the gills: in de

32、pression blue devils: depression and gloom Once in a blue moon: not very often at all. Blue in the face: look pasty blue murder: horrible screaming and shouts Sing the blues: in low spirits; very depressed Out of the blue: happening in a way that is sudden and unexpected 4 Conclusion A language can

33、reflect the development of a nations history and culture. The symbolic meanings of color words have great distinction in different cultures. They are shaped in the long-term development of the society. The colors bring us a wonderful and splendid world, and color words make it easier to express our

34、thought, make our expression more apt and vivid. Correctly understanding and mastering the difference and similarity between the literal meaning and their deeper symbolic meaning will be a great help for a successful cross- cultural communication. References: 1 英汉语言文化对比研究 李瑞华主编 上海外语教育出版社 1997.3 2 Gu Jiazu , Lu Sheng, Language and culture ,Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 1990.6. 3Chinese and English Dictionary, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,1992.2. 4Advanced Learners English Chinese Dictionary，Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,2004.5.