AComparisonoftheConnotationbetweenEnglishandChineseAnimals英汉动物词汇的文化内涵对比

1、Abstract Both English culture and Chinese culture have a large number of words related with animals. The same animal words may have the same or different connotations in English and Chinese, and different animal words may have similar connotations in English and Chinese. In addition, animal words ha

2、ve semantic gaps in English and Chinese. This paper is intended to contrast and analyze the connotation between English and Chinese animal words from these aspects and discuss the causes of discrepancy in the connotation between English and Chinese animal words form the angles of religion, history,

3、geographical environment and aesthetic orientation. Moreover, this paper analyzes the influences of the connotation of animal words on intercultural communication. Then this paper gives some suggestions for intercultural communication. At last, it draws a conclusion that language is the carrier of c

4、ulture. Languages of different nations present rich cultural properties. We should pay more attention to the discrepancy in the connotation between English and Chinese animal words during the process of intercultural communication and enrich our knowledge of different cultures as much as possible. I

5、n the age of globalization, communication between the Chinese culture and the English culture is on the increase day by day. With the help of this paper, people can understand the cultural difference of English and Chinese animal words further and achieve perfect intercultural communication. Key wor

6、ds: Animal words; English and Chinese; Connotations; Comparison 英汉动物词汇的文化内涵对比 摘要 在英汉两种文化中有许许多多与动物相关的词汇。 同一动物词汇在英汉语言 中可能具有相同或者不同的文化内涵， 不同的动物词汇在英汉语言中可能会有相 似的文化内涵。 另外， 动物词汇在英汉语言中存在语义空缺现象。 本文旨在从这 几个方面对比和分析英汉动物的文化内涵，并从宗教、历史、地理环境、审美取 向的角度探讨英汉动物词汇的文化内涵存在差异的原因。 此外，本文分析了动物 词汇的文化内涵对跨文化交流的影响。 然后，本文为跨文化交流提出了一些建

7、议。 最后，得出结论： 语言是文化的载体， 不同民族的语言呈现出丰富多彩的文化特 性。在跨文化交流过程中， 我们应该更加重视英汉动物词汇的文化内涵差异， 尽 可能丰富我们在不同文化领域的知识。 在全球化的时代， 中西文化交流日益频繁。 通过本文，人们能够进一步了解英汉动物词汇的文化差异， 顺利进行跨文化交流。 关键字： 动物词汇；英语和汉语；文化内涵；对比 Contents 1. Introduction 1. 2. Connotations of English and Chinese Animal Word.s1. 2.1 Connotation of animal words in Ch

8、inese and English1 2.1.1 Animal words with the same connotations 2. 2.1.2 Animal words with different connotations3. 2.1.3 Animal words with similar connotations 6. 2.2 Semantic gaps 7 2.2.1 Animal words with rich connotations in Chinese 7. 2.2.2 Animal words with rich connotations in English 8 3. T

9、he Causes of Discrepancy in the Connotation between English and Chinese Animal Words9. 3.1 Religion 1.0. 3.2 History1.0. 3.3 Geographical environment1.1 3.4 Aesthetic orientation 1.1. 4. Influences of the Connotation of Animal Words on Intercultural Communication 1.2. 5. Suggestions for Intercultura

10、l Communicatio.n1. 3 6. Conclusion 1.4. Bibliography 1.6. A Comparison of the Connotation between English and Chinese Animal Words 1. Introduction The intimate relationship with animals makes human beings have complex emotions, such as fondness, sympathy, disgust and horror, etc. Humans often place

11、their feelings on animals and use animals to express feelings as well. Many animal words and phrases are endowed with connotations in English and Chinese. Therefore, learning about the different connotations of English and Chinese animal words can help English learners to correctly understand this l

12、anguage. Animal words have the same, different or similar connotations in English and Chinese. In most cases, although both English and Chinese have the same referential meanings of animal words, the connotations of these animal words are different (Shang Qi, 2006). This is caused by religion, histo

13、ry, geographical environment and aesthetic orientation. This paper starts with the comparison of English and Chinese animal words. Afterwards, this paper discusses the causes of discrepancy in connotations between English and Chinese animal words. In the end, this paper discusses the influences of c

14、ultural connotations of animal words on intercultural communication. 2. Connotations of English and Chinese Animal Words 2.1 Connotation of animal words in Chinese and English The same animal words may have the same or different cultural connotations in English and Chinese. In addition, different an

15、imal words may have similar cultural connotations in English and Chinese. 2.1.1 Animal words with the same connotations Living in a similar ecological environment, people may have a same imagination about animals. Therefore, animal words will be endowed with the same cultural connotation. In Chinese

16、 and in English, the fox is cunning; the ass is stupid; the lamb is docile; the wolf is always hungry; the rabbit can run rapidly; the bee is busy; the snake is crafty; the hen is associated with woman. For example, when we say“he fox ”, Chinese people and Ntivae English speakers will realize that h

17、e is cunning. To the native English speakers and Chinese people, “pig s”ta nds for dirtiness, laziness and stupidity. Therefore, there are some sayings like“as fat as a pig”, “eat l “ makea pig of oneself ”et,c . In Chinese culture and English culture, “ bee”alw ays gives us the impression of an ext

18、remely hard worker. We can use “as busy as a bee describe someone who is diligent. A “ parrot ” (a type of tropical bird with hooked beak and brightly colored feathers) can be trained to imitate human voice. In Chinese culture and English culture, it is used to describe someone who repeats the words

19、 or actions of others without understanding the meaning. In Chinese culture and English culture, “ass” is always used to describe a stupid person. The saying“make an ass of oneself ” means that one behaves stupidly and ridiculously. In Chinese culture and English culture,“ dove ” is a symbol of peac

20、e. To the native English speaker and Chinese people, “ sheeopn”e kisin d of docile animal. When it comes to the sheep, people will have a gentle and meek image in mind. Therefore,“ sheep” is always us to describe a gentle and meek character. 2.1.2 Animal words with different connotations In Chinese

21、culture and English culture, different cultural backgrounds can result in different connotations. In Chinese culture,“ dragon ” is a kind of mythic animal which has scales, claws and legs and which can fly in the sky, swim in the sea and create cloud and rain. “ Dragon ” is sotmhieng sacred and is u

22、sed to represent the ancestor of Chinese nation. This is why the Chinese people call themselves descendantso f dragon. In ancient China, “ dragon ” was a symbol of imperial power. Ancient emperors called themselves as “真龙天子” (the son of dragon). Their clothes were embroidered with dragon and were ca

23、lled as “龙袍”( dragon robe); their chairs were called as “龙椅” (dragon throne); their posterities were called as 龙种” (drag“on children). In China, we may often hear that Chinese parents expect their son become a “ dragon (”ex pect ones child can have a bright future) (Luo Aifeng, 2006). However, the l

24、iberal translation sounds ridiculous to native English speakers, because they think dragon is an evil monster which can spit fire and has three to nine heads. In English culture,“ dragon is always used to describe fierceness especially for women. For example, “ sheis a ”- t(eshmep iesr ead b paedrso

25、n). dragon, you d better keep away from her Chinese nation and English nation share a same habit of raising dogs. In Chinese culture, “ dog”is a derogatory animal word and is endowed with ugly things. For example, “act like a snob狗眼看”人 (低 ), “ mistake a good man for a bad one狗咬 ” ( 吕洞宾，不识好人心 ), “a f

26、ilthy mouth can not utter decent languag狗e 嘴里吐不”出 ( 象牙). However, “dog” symbolizes friendship, sincerity and loyalty in English culture. For example, “ lovem e, love my dog” ,“ everyd og has his day”( every person will some day succeed of become fortunate),“to let sleeping dog lie” (to make no troub

27、 or not to disturb people),“a lucky dog ” (a lucky man),“a jolly dog ” (a happy p “a clever dog ” (a clever man),“a top dog ” (a person has advantages in doing some things), “noht ave a dogcsh ance ”(h ave no chance), “ag ood dog deserves a good bone” (a man who makes a contribution should be reward

28、ed) and“like a dog with two tails ” (very happy). In Chinese culture, owl, the animal which always shouts and cries at night, is considered to be an animal which will bring unluckiness and misfortune. In English culture, “ owl ”is regarded as the symbol of wisdom. If one says you are owlish, it mean

29、s that you are clever and strict. “Asw ise as an owl”i ndicates that the native English speakers associate wisdom with owl. Another example can be provided,“h peered owlishly at us through his glasses”. In Chinese traditional culture,“bat ” is a symbol of happin蝠es”s, baencda use“ “福” are homonyms.

30、And red bat is a sign of luckiness, because 红蝠” and 洪“福“” are also homonyms. In some cases, Chinese people combine“bat ” and “deer ” toge in order to get 蝠鹿“”, which has the same pronunciation with 福禄”. An“d it means happiness and good fortune (蒋磊, 2000). However, the Westerners are afraid of bat. T

31、hey dislike bat, because it is often related with ugly and evil image. Therefore, English idioms about bat are always derogatory, for example,“as blind as a bat eyes but see nothing); “ crazy as a bat ” (abnormal). “ Peacock ” is a male bird with long blue and green tail feathers, which are like a f

32、an when the tail feathers are spread out. However, as the aesthetic orientations of Chinese culture and English culture are different, “peacock r”ep resents different images and has a totally different cultural connotation. Native English speakers hold that the peacock is proud and vain when it is w

33、alking with tail feathers spread out. Therefore, it gives them the impression of vanity and arrogance. Such as“as proud as a peacock ”“, playt he peacock ”“, asv ain as a peacock ”e,t c. However, in Chinese traditional culture, the peacock is the symbol of beauty. In Chinese culture,“ magpie ” is a

34、welcome bird.“ Magpie ” is a bird which can bring good luck to you.“ Magpie ” is always connected with good luck, happiness, etc. and is used to show that something good is going to happen. However, native English speakers hold that magpie is a kind of disgusting bird and pay more attention to noise

35、s made by this black and white bird. Therefore, in English culture,“ magpie ” is use describe someone who always chatters interminably. For example, she is a magpie of a woman; she kept muttering like a magpie. In addition, the Westerners usually use “ magpie ”to compare to the condition of chaos or

36、 a great mass, such as “am agpie collection ”, “to magpie together ”, etc. (Chen Wenbo, 1982) “ Whale” is a kind of large animal. The Westerners pay their attention to its merits and profits. In English culture, “ whale i”m plies great benefit. “Aw hale of chance ” means a very good chance, and“a wh

37、ale on skating” means a person who is good at skating. However, what whale impresses Chinese is its strong appetite. In Chinese culture, “ whale ”ha s a derogatory sense, such as “蚕食鲸吞”( nibble away like a silkworm or swallow like a whale). In Chinese traditional culture, phoenix is a supernatural b

38、ird. It symbolizes a queen and stands for luckiness. People like it and believe that it can bring them luckiness. However, in English culture, phoenix stands for immaculacy or renascence (李青, 2001). It is considered as an immoral bird. Phoenix symbolizes a new start or a long life. For instance,“ re

39、ligion, like a phoenix, has been resurrected from the ashes of the war ”. 2.1.3 Animal words with similar connotations Different animal words may have similar cultural connotations in English and Chinese, namely, people use different animal words to express similar meanings. Even though the animal w

40、ords are different, they may have similar connotations. “ Tiger ” is always replaced by“lion ” in English. For example,“a lion in the (a road-blocking tiger), “ beardth e lion in his den”( go deep into tiger cave), “put onehs ead in the lion mso uth”a nd “ comein like a lion and go out like a lamb”

41、. “ Horse ” appears more frequently in English idioms, and“ox” is always replaced by “ horse i”n English. For example, “ talkh orse ”(t alk big), “as trong as a horse ”(a s strong as an ox),“ horse laugh ” (laugh loudly);“ horse play ” (rough and noisy pla “ horse sense ” (common sense) and “you can

42、 pull a horse to a river, but you can not make him drink ”. When it comes to cowardice, Chinese people would like to say“ timid as a mouse ”. However, native English speakers would employ“ rabbit, chicken and pigeon ”t o express the similar meaning, that is, “ast imid as a rabbit, chicken-hearted or

43、 pigeon-hearted ”. In Chinese culture, people often use“cat cries for mouse” to describe someone hypocritical.I n English culture,“shed crocodile tears” has the similar meaning. In Chinese, “as tubborn as an ox”i s used to describe someone stubborn. In English, “as tubborn as a mule”i s employed to

44、express the similar meaning. To describe anxiety, Chinese people would say“ants on a hot pan while native English speakers would like to say “ac at on hot bricks ”To. describe slipperiness, Chinese people use the word“ loach ” while native English speakers use the word “eel ”, such as “as slippery a

45、s an eel ”. To describe someone foolish, Chine people usually use the word “ pigna”tiv we hEilneglish speakers use the word “ass”, such as “ makea n ass of oneself ”To. describe someone drenched, Chinese people would say “ drenchedc hicken ”w hile native English speakers would like to say “ drowned

46、rat ”. 2.2 Semantic gaps Words in every language do not only represent animals im ages, but also are deeply branded with culture. Therefore, similarity and dissimilarity in connotation of animal words in the two languages exist. We should take semantic gaps of the same animal words between English a

47、nd Chinese into consideration in cross-cultural communication. It is necessary to find in English and Chinese cultural equivalents rather than translate the animal words directly, as what we are to convey to the target language is the symbolic images in the source language rather reference of partic

48、ular animals. 2.2.1 Animal words with rich connotations in Chinese Some animal words have rich connotations in Chinese, while the same animal words in English have no concerned connotations. Silk worm is a kind of Chinese animal. In ancient China, the Silk Road is well-known all over the world. The

49、silk goods attracting a large number of foreigners are made of silk produced by silk worm. Silk worm is highly praised by Chinese people for its dedication spirit, which can be reflected in poem “春蚕到死丝方尽” (the silk worm till its death spins silk from its love- sick heart) ”. This sentence is used to

50、 praise a man who is devotional and self-giving. The culture about silk worm has a deep and long history in China. The special connotation is deeply rooted in the heart of Chinese people. In English culture, however, the silk worm which is an exotic animal is no more than a little worm. It is diffic

51、ult for the Westerners to understand its noble quality and dedication spirit. In Chinese culture, “ crane ”ha s various connotations. Firstly, it symbolizes longevity. Therefore, parents like to give their children names with“ crane ”, su “鹤年”, 鹤“龄”, etc. They wish their children good health and a l

52、ong life. Secondly, it symbolizes excellence. Chinese idiom“like a crane standing among chickens” imp someone who stands out in the crowd. Thirdly, it symbolizes hermit. “Thes olitary cloud and the wild crane” means that someone who withdraws himself from society and lives freely. However, in Englis

53、h culture, it does not have these connotations. In Chinese culture, “ mandarind uck”i s considered as the love bird. The mandarin duck is a kind of bird living in water. One male mandarin duck and one female mandarin duck always live together and play on water. They live a happy and free life. There

54、fore,“ mandarin duck ” in Chinese culture is the symbol of affectionate couples living a happy life. People believe that affectionate couples will turn into mandarin ducks after death and will accompany with each other forever. In ancient China, a girl may give her lover a cloth bag with a pair of m

55、andarin ducks embroidered on it. Nowadays, groom and bride like to use mandarin duck quilts for their wedding. However, in English culture,“ mandarin duck ” has no such symbolic meaning and it is only a kind of bird. 2.2.2 Animal words with rich connotations in English Some animal words may have ric

56、h connotations in English, while the same animal words in Chinese have no concerned connotations. In English, the best oyster always keeps its shells closed tightly. Therefore, oyster is a symbol of a man of few words in English culture. Such as“as close as an oyste “ asdumb as an oyster ”an d “hes

57、eldom says anything, he is a regular oyster ”. However, Chinese people seldom see oyster and they do not have such connotation. In English culture, “ cat h”as plentiful meanings. In the English mythology, cat can even affect the change of the weather, as the saying goes,“to rain cats and dogs and “t

58、he cat has a gale of wind in her tail”. There are many phrases and sayings, such as “old cat ” (an old woman with bad temper), “cat s paw” (a person who is duped deceived), “ac at in the pan”( a traitor), “bell the cat ”(t ake risks for the public benefits), “cat burglar ” (an extremely agile thief)

59、, and“let the cat out of the bag disclose the secret). It may be difficult for Chinese people to understand the above connotations. Chinese people have no such rich meanings of cat, they just consider cat as a docile and lovely animal. Beaver, a North American animal which is not widely known in Chi

60、na, has a unique technique and ability for creativity. Its constant activity, its habit of building complex houses, its skill and ingenuity have earned himself the name“ eager beav Therefore, “ beaver s”ta nds for an active and studious man. In metaphor, an eager beaver is a person who is anxious to