A tentative comparison on cultural connotations between Chinese and English animal words开题报告

1. 研究目的与意义

Language is created during the long-term human production activities and serves for communication. And because of its uniqueness, the language of a nation must reflect the nation#8217;s culture. Animal words are no exception. With the development of globalization, the economic and cultural exchanges between China and English-speaking countries have become more frequent, in which communication plays an essential role. With better understanding of the difference between Chinese culture and English culture, we can avoid misunderstandings and conflicts and benefit each other. As animal words are an important part of both languages, it is of significance for us to study their cultural connotations so as to know more about the difference between the two cultures.

2. 研究内容和预期目标

There exist similarities and differences in cultural connotations of animal words between English and Chinese. What exactly are those differences and what caused them? This paper will compare the cultural connotations of Chinese and English animal words in terms of history, geography, religion and conventional values in order to find out how these cultural factors influence the connotation of the animal words. Besides, the author interviews some western and Chinese scholars and then sums up two party#8217;s views to analyze the differences and similarities.

3. 国内外研究现状

The study of idioms began with L.P.Smith(1925). He just analysed the basic features of idioms. Strassler in his book Idioms in English (1982) gave his own working definition of animal idioms. He analysed the pragmatic function of animal idioms. His study made a foundation for future studies on idioms though his study only limited to oral communication. Fernando#8217;s Idioms and Idiomaticity (2000) moved the study of idioms firmly out of the phrase and the sentence into a consideration of the function in the cultural environment. Some other scholars also studied English animal words and made great contributions.In China, Zhang Yunfei in his book An Introduction to Modern Lexicology(1985) explored the classification of animal idioms. Professor Deng Yanchang (1989) in his book Language and Culture made a comparison of cultural connotations between English and Chinese animal words, laying a foundation for future study of animal words. Through making a comparison, he analyzed the related cultural factors when using these two languages. Besides, he listed numerous examples to show that only by mastering these cultural factors can we translate the two languages well. His specifically analyzed cultural factors actually benefit many language learners. In recent years, many scholars also have made some researches about this, such as Xu Juan (2005) who analyzed the difference of cultural connotations of animal words in these two languages in the thesis of The Cultural Connotation Differences of Animal Words Both in Chinese and in English. By means of investigations and analysis, she found that students who accept traditional education have more difficulties understanding those animal words with different cultural connotations than those who accept cultural teaching.

4. 计划与进度安排

1. Introduction2. Language and culture2.1 Definition of language2.2 Definition of culture2.3 Relations between language and culture3. The comparisons of animal words between Chinese and English3.1 Same animal words with same cultural connotations3.2 Same animal words with different cultural connotations3.2.1 Some animal words with commendatory meaning in Chinese, but with derogatory meaning in English3.2.2 Some animal words with commendatory meaning in English, but with derogatory meaning in Chinese3.3 Same animal words without corresponding words in English and in Chinese3.4 Different animal words with similar cultural connotations4. Reasons causing cultural difference 4.1 Geography 4.2 Conventional value 4.3 Religion 4.4 History5. Conclusion

5. 参考文献

Chitra Fernando. (2000). Idioms and Idiomaticity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.L.P.Smith. (1925). Words and Idioms. Edinburgh: Constable and Co Limited.Strassler. (1982). Idioms in English: a pragmatic analysis . Terbingen: Springer-Verlag.邓炎昌. (1989). 语言与文化. 上海: 外语教学与研究出版社.徐娟. (2005). 中英动物词汇文化内涵的差异. 湖北: 华中师范大学.张韵斐. (1986 - 06). 现代英语词汇学概论. 北京: 北京师范大学出版社.