中西文化对比之数字对比.ppt

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1、The Comparison of Number Culture The Comparison of Number Culture in English and Chinese in English and Chinese-Designed by Jeremy Wang from Central South UniversityThemeaningof“1”isalmostthesameinbothChineseandEnglishculture.1.Itisthestartingpointofallthingsallovertheworld.InHuai Nanzi,itsays:“1”is

2、therootandnatureofeverything.(淮南子淮南子有语有语“一也者，一也者，万物之本也。万物之本也。)Inwesternculture,“1”representstheoriginalityinsteadoftheproduce.AnditbelongstothefieldofSun(属于太阳的领域属于太阳的领域).2.Itisthesymbolofourachievements,statusandhonor.No.1isthetargetofmanysuccessfulpeoplewhowantstostandatthepinnacle(顶顶点点)ofcareerand

3、lifeandalwaysbetheblessedoneofGod(天之骄子天之骄子).Forexample,theOlympicGames,thegoldmedalmeansfirst,thusalltheathletesspendcountlesseffortsforitregardlessoftheirnationality;itnotonlyrepresentstheparticipantshighestabilityandtheachievement,butalsobringsgreatglorytothewinnerscountryandpeople.InChinesecultur

4、e,“2”isanevennumber,conveyingthemeaningofthe“double”.Chinesepeoplealwaysexpectgoodthingstocomeinpairs(好事成双好事成双),so“2”isapopularandauspicious（吉利的）（吉利的）number.Forexample:1.“喜喜喜喜”willbepostedonthewallsandroomsduringmarriagedays,whichmeans“happinesscomesincompany”.2.Whenwepraiseothers,wewillsaysheisendo

5、wedwithbothbeautyandtalent(才貌双全才貌双全)orheisanexpertinbothliteratureandmilitaryrealms(文武文武双全双全).Inthewest,2isthefirstevennumberwithnegativenatureorqualities(阴性阴性)asitbelongstothefieldofthemoon(属于月属于月亮的领域亮的领域).Thisisthefirstnumberrelatedtothree-dimensionalspace.“2”isdivisibleandcannotsymbolizethesoulor

6、spiritexceptmaterialorphysicalthings.“3”hasbeenattachedgreatsignificanceinChineseculture.FromourancientChineseperspective,thecharacter“三三”meanstheharmonyoftheheaven,theearthandhumanbeings.(在在汉语中上横代表天，下横代表地，中间代表人，汉语中上横代表天，下横代表地，中间代表人，即天地人为一体。即天地人为一体。)Ancientpeoplethoughtthatallthenumbersaregeneratedf

7、romone,endedwithten,andfulfilledbythree.(数字始于一，数字始于一，终于十，成于三。终于十，成于三。)Besides,wehavemanyideasaboutthree.Suchas:1.thethreelives(thepreviouslife,thislife,andtheafterlife(前生、今生、来生前生、今生、来生为三生为三生)；2.threemoralprinciples(三纲三纲):rulerguidessubjects,fatherguidesson,husbandguideswife.3.threegenerations:father

8、,son,andgrandson(父子孙为三族父子孙为三族)4.threereligions(三教三教):Confucianism(儒教儒教),Buddhism(佛教佛教),andTaoism(道道教教).1.5.ithasthemeaningofauspiciousnessandlongevityasaluckynumber,suchas:1)ThreeRamsBringBliss(三羊开泰三羊开泰);2)Threedurableplantsofwinter(岁寒岁寒三友三友)-pine,bambooandplumblossom.However,thepronunciationof“三三”i

9、ssimilarwith“散散”(separation),weshouldbecautioustouseitinmanyhappysituations,especiallyweddingoccasions.“3”isrespectedinwesternculture.Itisanoddnumberwithpositivenatureorqualities(阳性阳性).ItisthesymbolofreproductiveabilityandbelongstothefieldofMars(属于火星的领属于火星的领域域).Pythagoras,thephilosopherofancientGree

10、ce,called3“theperfectnumber”.AccordingtotheancientGreekMythology,theuniverseisgovernedbythreeGods,namely,Jupiter(theMainGod),Neptune(GodoftheSea),andPluto(GodofDeath)。Thetrinity（三位一体）（三位一体）inChristianreferstotheunionoftheFather,theSonandtheHolySpirit.“4”inChineseculturecontainsconflictingculturalmea

11、nings,wesay:1.“Menwillnotbeconfusedinhisforties”,whichassociatesagewithwisdom;2.Theseniorsexpectfourgenerationsundertherooftogether(四世同堂四世同堂);3.Citiesseekforatransportationsystemextendinginalldirections(四通八达四通八达)。Most of the time,however,the Most of the time,however,the Chinese the number“4”is a Chi

12、nese the number“4”is a taboo(taboo(禁忌禁忌)due to its similar)due to its similar pronunciation with“pronunciation with“死死”(death).(death).So hospitals do not arrange beds So hospitals do not arrange beds numbered“4”;the hotels have no numbered“4”;the hotels have no room and floors labeled number“4”.roo

13、m and floors labeled number“4”.“4”conveyssomebadmeaningsinmostcasesinwesternculture,suchas:1.“thefourth”istheeuphemisticexpressionsofthetoilet.2.“four-letterwords”meansvulgarwordsinAmerica.3.“404”referstopeoplewhoisconfusedandknowslittleofaparticularthing.e.g.Heisatotal404anddonttalktohim.IntheChine

14、secultureandlife,5isanwidely-appliednumberowningtoitsextendingculturalvalue.1.“thefiveelements:gold,wood,water,fireandearth(五行五行).2.“thefiveethicalrelations:monarchandhissubjects,fatherandson,brothers,husbandandwife,andfriends(“五伦五伦”：封建：封建礼教指君臣、父子、兄弟、夫妇、朋友五种伦理关礼教指君臣、父子、兄弟、夫妇、朋友五种伦理关系系).在中国古代，在中国古代，“

15、五五”指金、木、水、指金、木、水、火、土；与此同时，火、土；与此同时，“五五”也与中国也与中国传统文化密切相关，诸如五行、五福传统文化密切相关，诸如五行、五福临门、五方保护神、五湖四海等等。临门、五方保护神、五湖四海等等。进一步说，用数字进一步说，用数字“五五”代表东西南代表东西南北中五方，是中国一项非常悠久的文北中五方，是中国一项非常悠久的文化传统。现在，北京奥运吉祥物选择化传统。现在，北京奥运吉祥物选择五个福娃，既可与奥运会标志五环相五个福娃，既可与奥运会标志五环相呼应之外，又符合中国人口众多、历呼应之外，又符合中国人口众多、历史悠久、文化丰富的国情。史悠久、文化丰富的国情。“5”=3+2

16、.IntheWest,“3”isthenumberofpositivequalitiesand“2”ofnegativequalities.“5”belongstothefieldofJupiter(5属于木星的领属于木星的领域域).Fridayhaslongbeenconsideredunluckyasithassomebadassociations.1.AccordingtotheBible,theLordGodcreatedthefirstmanAdam.AndhetookaribfromAdamtocreateEve-thefirstwoman.AnditissaidthatAdamw

17、ascreatedonFriday.Besides,heandEveatetheforbiddenfruit-theappleonFridayaswell.3.JesuswasalsopersecutedonFriday.InChineseculture,“6”iswidelyusedandcarriesgreatvalueandluckyconnotations.（内涵）（内涵）1.“thesixlinearrelatives(六亲六亲)”:intheancienttimes,thisreferstothefather,mother,brother,sister,wifeandson.2.“

18、sixflavors(六味六味):thebitter,sour,sweet,spicy,salty,andlightflavors.3.Theemperorhassixbigpalacesforherconcubinesofhighstatus(皇上的后宫有六宫皇上的后宫有六宫或六苑或六苑).4.Thepregnantwomenarecalled“身怀六身怀六甲甲”.5.Thesixth,sixteenth,andtwenty-sixthdayonLunarcalendarareallgooddaysformarriage.我国自古以来就有崇尚我国自古以来就有崇尚“六六”的观念。考的观念。考古

19、发现秦始皇的铜马车皆以古发现秦始皇的铜马车皆以“六六”及其倍及其倍数为度。先秦时期六部儒家经典称为数为度。先秦时期六部儒家经典称为“六六经经”或或“六艺六艺”，诸子中最著名的阴阳、，诸子中最著名的阴阳、儒、墨、名、法、道德总称为儒、墨、名、法、道德总称为“六家六家”，皇后的寝宫称皇后的寝宫称“六宫六宫”。古代把亲属关系归纳为古代把亲属关系归纳为“六亲六亲”，天地，天地四方合称为四方合称为“六合六合”或或“六幽六幽”。妇女怀。妇女怀孕也称为孕也称为“身怀六甲身怀六甲”.”.民间有民间有“六六大顺六六大顺”的吉语，农历初六、的吉语，农历初六、十六、二十六被视为举行婚礼的吉日。十六、二十六被视为举行

20、婚礼的吉日。IntheWest,“6”symbolizeslove,fertility,peaceandabundance,belongingtothefieldofVenus.(它象征它象征爱、生殖力，以及和平与丰饶，属于金星爱、生殖力，以及和平与丰饶，属于金星的领域的领域.)However,“6”inEnglishisanunpopularnumber,whichisviewedasasinisteromen.Forexample,1.sixesandsevens（乱七八糟）（乱七八糟）2.Hit somebody for six knock 2.Hit somebody for six

21、knock somebody six(somebody six(给某人致命的给某人致命的 打击打击)3.Six penny(3.Six penny(不值钱不值钱)4.six of the best4.six of the best（以藤鞭击六下（以藤鞭击六下学校的一种惩罚手段）学校的一种惩罚手段）AsforChineseculture,“7”isanumberofgreatvalueanddifferentmeanings.1.“thesevenvaluablethings”:thegold,thesilver,thecoloredglaze,thegiantclam,agate，thepea

22、rl,andtherosestone(“七宝七宝”指金、银、琉璃、砗磲、指金、银、琉璃、砗磲、玛瑙、珍珠、玫瑰石。玛瑙、珍珠、玫瑰石。).2.“MagpieFestival”(七夕节七夕节):ChineseValentinesDayonJuly7th3.“seven steps for a poem”:3.“seven steps for a poem”:this phrase can commend this phrase can commend people for his or her quick people for his or her quick mind(a story of C

23、ao pi created mind(a story of Cao pi created a famous poem within a very a famous poem within a very short time of seven steps.short time of seven steps.7 7也有神圣的意蕴，古人将日、月、金也有神圣的意蕴，古人将日、月、金星、木星、水星、火星、土星归纳为星、木星、水星、火星、土星归纳为“七政七政”；又如东、南、西、北各有；又如东、南、西、北各有7 7位神位神灵，合称二十八宿，玉皇大帝有灵，合称二十八宿，玉皇大帝有7 7个仙女，个仙女，太上老君

24、炼丹需要七七四十九天。佛教太上老君炼丹需要七七四十九天。佛教认为，万事由地、水、火、风、空、识、认为，万事由地、水、火、风、空、识、根七种本原生成；佛寺由七种厅堂组成；根七种本原生成；佛寺由七种厅堂组成；佛塔共有佛塔共有7 7层，所以有救人一命胜造七级层，所以有救人一命胜造七级浮屠；释加牟尼面壁七天则修成正果，浮屠；释加牟尼面壁七天则修成正果，他在菩提树下冥思四十九天则佛身显现。他在菩提树下冥思四十九天则佛身显现。Butsometimespeoplearecautiouswithitsuses.Forexample:1.wedonotserveguestswith“7”dishes;2.the

25、daywithseveninlunarcalendarwillnotbechosenbypeopleformarriage;7 7在汉语中却是被人们常常忌讳的数字，在汉语中却是被人们常常忌讳的数字，“七与丧事有关七与丧事有关”自古汉人对去世的人每自古汉人对去世的人每七日祭拜一次七日祭拜一次,直到七七四十九天为止直到七七四十九天为止“；给人送礼时忌给人送礼时忌7 7件或件或7 7样；饭桌上的菜决不样；饭桌上的菜决不能是能是7 7盘；人们挑选良辰吉日不挑盘；人们挑选良辰吉日不挑7 7，1717，或者或者2727。3.peopleusuallypayrespectstotheirdeadrelati

26、vesevery6daysfor7times.Thenumbersevenexertsagreatinfluenceonthewesternculture.Inthewesternerseyes，sevenisamysteriousandsacrednumber.AccordingtotheChristianity，Godcreatesallthecreaturesinsevendays.Hebrewsoftenusesevenwhileswearing,suchas“tocomeundertheinfluenceofseventhings.希伯来人喜欢希伯来人喜欢用用“七七”起誓起誓1.Th

27、esevenvirtues(七大美德七大美德):faith,hope,charity,justice,fortitude,prudence,temperance2.Thesevengiftsofthespirit(神的七大神的七大礼物礼物):wisdom(智慧智慧),understandings(理解理解),counsel(忠告忠告),fortitude(毅力毅力),knowledge(知识知识),righteousness(正义正义),andfearoftheLord(畏上帝畏上帝)3.Inonesseventhheaven：beingreathappinessandluck（极其快乐）（极

28、其快乐）e.g.Whenshegotmarried,shefeltthatshewasinherseventhheaven.4.Famousbrands-“SevenUp”(七喜七喜)(akindofbeverage)and“mildseven”(柔和七星柔和七星)(akindofcigarette),whichhintsthatwesternersfavortowards“7”justlikeweChinesepeopletowards“8”.Thepronunciationof“8”issimilarwithourcharacter“发发”(itrepresentsthemeaningof

29、earninglotsofmoneyandhavingflourishingbusiness),sothenumber“8”isirreplaceableanduniqueforChinesepeople,especiallyforbusinessmen.For example:.1.“518”represents“I will be 1.“518”represents“I will be rich”.rich”.2.Many businessmen want to end 2.Many businessmen want to end their phone number with“8”.th

30、eir phone number with“8”.3.Business stores with the number 3.Business stores with the number of“8”will be bided for a higher of“8”will be bided for a higher price.price.在我国，南方经济发达区的粤语区的在我国，南方经济发达区的粤语区的“八八”与与“发发”谐音，广东人特别喜欢数字八，以谐音，广东人特别喜欢数字八，以求生财之道，发财致富。现在对八的爱好已经求生财之道，发财致富。现在对八的爱好已经风靡全国，各行各业，男女老少对风靡全国

31、，各行各业，男女老少对“八八”可以可以说是特别偏爱，几乎达到迷信的程度。电话号说是特别偏爱，几乎达到迷信的程度。电话号码喜欢有八，汽车牌照最好有八，有的商店取码喜欢有八，汽车牌照最好有八，有的商店取名名“518”518”（“我要发我要发”的谐音）的谐音）中国人把八个人坐的桌子叫中国人把八个人坐的桌子叫“八仙桌八仙桌”，功名显赫的人要坐功名显赫的人要坐“八抬大轿八抬大轿”，以显，以显“八面八面威风威风”，会办事的人总是，会办事的人总是“八面玲珑八面玲珑”，关系，关系亲密的朋友称为亲密的朋友称为“八拜之交八拜之交”。In the western culture,8 has double In th

32、e western culture,8 has double meanings.meanings.FirstlyFirstly,itisalsoregardedasaluckynumber.TheancientGreekthink“8”standsforbumperharvest,achievementsandlongevity.1.ThestoryofNoahsArk,accordingtoGenesis,Godhasobservedmansevilbehaviorsandfloodedtheearth.Only“8”peoplesurvivedthedisasterbyNoahsArk.2

33、.IntheGospel(福音书福音书),Jacob,Jesusbrother,had“8”childrenandso“8”meansfertility(多子多孙多子多孙).Secondly,Secondly,“8”doesnotenjoysuch“privileges”inwesterncultureasinourculture.Forexample:“behindtheeightball”:处处于困境之中于困境之中somebodyisinadisadvantagedsituationortheconditionsengagedarenotsopromisingandgood.As for

34、nine,the Occidental and Oriental cultures share some common features:Mostpeopleinthetwoculturesregardnineasmysteriousandsacrednumber;Numberninereferstothemajorityaswellasthenumberitself;Numbernineisoftenusedintheentertainmentandsportsactivities.在我国，数字在我国，数字“九九”被认为是一种神秘被认为是一种神秘的数字，它起初是龙形（或蛇形）图腾的数字，它起

35、初是龙形（或蛇形）图腾化之文字，继而演化出化之文字，继而演化出“神圣神圣”之意，之意，于是中国古代历代帝王为了表示自己神于是中国古代历代帝王为了表示自己神圣的权力为天赐神赋，便竭力把自己同圣的权力为天赐神赋，便竭力把自己同“九九”联系在一起联系在一起,如如“九五之尊九五之尊”（imperial throneimperial throne）；称官位仅次于皇）；称官位仅次于皇帝的王爷为帝的王爷为“九千岁九千岁”等。等。含有数字含有数字“九九”的词汇也十分丰富。如，的词汇也十分丰富。如，“九州九州”是指是指传说中的我国上古行政区划，后用作传说中的我国上古行政区划，后用作“中国中国”的代称的代称;“九

36、族九族”（theninedegreesofkindred:eithertheninegenerationsfromonesgreat-great-grandfatherdowntoonesgreat-great-grandson;orfourgenerationsofonespaternalrelations,threegenerationsofonesmaternalrelations,andtwogenerationsofoneswifesrelations），古代有），古代有一种残酷的刑法叫一种残酷的刑法叫“诛灭九族诛灭九族”；古代传说；古代传说“龙生九子，龙生九子，各有所好各有所好”;

37、民间传说中还有民间传说中还有“九头鸟九头鸟”（nine-headedbird:afabulousbirdwhoseappearancewasformerelyregardedasabadomen）的故事。）的故事。此外，在文娱、体育等词汇中，数字此外，在文娱、体育等词汇中，数字“九九”也比比皆是。如，许多歌名都以也比比皆是。如，许多歌名都以“九九”开头：开头：“九妹九妹”、“九九艳阳天九九艳阳天”、“九百九十九朵玫瑰九百九十九朵玫瑰”等；乐器中也有等；乐器中也有“九音锣九音锣”；在体育活动中，；在体育活动中，“九柱戏九柱戏”（nine pinsnine pins），兵器中有），兵器中有“九节鞭

38、九节鞭”但这与西方文化中的但这与西方文化中的“九尾鞭九尾鞭”（cat-cat-of-nine-tails:an instrument of of-nine-tails:an instrument of punishment so called from the nine punishment so called from the nine pieces of leather or cord which compose pieces of leather or cord which compose it it）意义不大一样。）意义不大一样。地名中也有一些以地名中也有一些以“九九”开头的，如开头的

39、，如“九寨沟九寨沟”、“九华九华山山”、“九江九江”和和“九龙九龙”等。等。在西方，数字在西方，数字“九九”也是人们心目中的也是人们心目中的“神数神数”之一。对西方人来说，之一。对西方人来说，“九九”的象的象征意义是征意义是“神性神性”、“神圣之至神圣之至”。英语英语权威字典权威字典Websters Ninth New Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary and Websters Collegiate Dictionary and Websters Third International Dictionary Third International

40、 Dictionary 中收入与中收入与“九九”有关词语和成语多达近二十条。常用有关词语和成语多达近二十条。常用的有：的有：l Anine-dayswonder(anobjectoreventthatcreatesashort-livedsensation)【轰动【轰动一时一时(不久便被遗忘不久便被遗忘)的事情的事情】lNinetimesoutoften(veryoften)lBedresseduptothenines(elaboratelydressed,asforaformaloccasion)lInthenineholes:inthedifficultsituationlAcathasn

41、inelives:Acatcanmovesofastandjumpsowellthatheseemstoescapebeingkilledmanytimes.数字数字“九九”及其倍数在西方也被广泛及其倍数在西方也被广泛运用于文娱和体育活动中。如，运用于文娱和体育活动中。如，保龄保龄球（球（bowling bowling）中的瓶状木柱数）中的瓶状木柱数（ninepinsninepins）为）为“九九”；高尔夫球球场；高尔夫球球场有一十八个洞有一十八个洞;跳子棋的棋板上各跳子棋的棋板上各 方均方均为九个孔等。由此看来，数字为九个孔等。由此看来，数字“九九”也倍也倍 受西方人的青睐。受西方人的青睐。

42、InChinesecultureandlife,10meansthatthingsculminateswithaperfectandgoodresultorrepresentingasuccess.Wehavethefollowingphrases:1.“十拿九稳十拿九稳”：beveryconfident.2.“十全十美十全十美”：beperfectwithoutflawsandweaknesses.3.“十步芳草十步芳草”：itliterallymeansthatyoucanfindvigorousplantswithintensteps,suggestingtherearemanytale

43、ntsandgeniusesinlifehereandthere.In western culture,10 is a symbol of In western culture,10 is a symbol of success and perfectness.success and perfectness.Humans have Humans have ten fingers and ten toes.As in the ten fingers and ten toes.As in the Bible,there are“Ten Bible,there are“Ten Commandments”(Commandments”(十诫十诫).).谢 谢 观 赏