中西英汉禁忌语的比较

The Comparison of Taboo Words betweenEnglish and ChineseAbstract: Taboo words is a popular language phenomenon in human language. For a long time, it has been an important part of study for many scholars from different aspects.. In the communication across cultures, we can not avoid meeting taboos. To Chinese people, it is very important to study and learn to use taboo correctly and properly, This paper gives a brief introduction of the origin of taboos. And then analyzes its similarities and differences topics between English and Chinese. Then, this paper also give some ways to figure out some problems which we replace it with euphemisms. And last we analyzes its evolution process By studying this language phenomenon, we cannot only improve our ability of comprehension, but also learn colorful culture and worldly wisdom of different society and communicate with foreigners freely and comfortably.Key words: taboo words, comparison, culture difference,similaritiesIntroductionLinguistic taboo is the common social phenomenon in different nationalities. Culture is the reflection of language which is the carrier of culture. Though language is arbitary, but it has its own inexlicable magic power as language is the tool of communication about thoughts and emotions. With the development of Two-way communication by ferquently using Chinese and English, taboo worids is becoming one of the most important parts among international communications. Therefore, the discussion of the relation between the taboo and language is conducive to English teaching and communication. What’s more, it can also help us to have a better understanding of attitudes and thinking models between China and Britain.1.The origin and background of tabooThe word “Taboo” can be traced back to the language of Tonga , Polynesian. It means “the things extremely should be paid attention”. “Taboo” also means holy, untouchable and was forbiddon used at that time. It has two aspects about this phenomenon. One is that the respected sacred items can not be literally used and the other one is people cann’t touch the nidering things casually. The production of taboo word has its own age reasons. When it was ancient ages, people had blind faith in ghosts and gods and worship God. Those things linked with ghosts and gods would not be talked casually as it might bring unfortunate to them. So it is the original reason about the taboo word. At the same time, except the region element, with the development of our society and the globalization of the whole world on custom, culture tradition, self-cultivation and communication also have a great impact on the appearance of taboo word. In different cultures, the contents and forms of taboo are different. Generally speaking, here are six types of it: mention of gods, near- swearing, sex, death, disease and excretion. However, this kind classification is not absolutely literally because the taboo is the reflection of different countries, races and cultures. What we should do is to know about them then have a good communication with others.2. The similarities between English and Chinese tabooWe all know that, we can distinguish the differences from different customs and history from both two languages, but no matter how unlike they are, there must have some similarities as we need learn and study and carry it out, especially in international communications. Both of us have taken the analogous methods to avoid those taboo[1]. And the best way to solve it is to have a suitable use of euphemism. Followed are the main aspects belong to taboos in Britain and China: 2.1 Taboos on disease and deathDisease and death is the regular pattern and it is the common topic and can not be avoided to people. There are many reasons why they are unwilling to mention it, maybe they are afraid of it and think it will bring unlucky to them. But the most important one would be the burden of their psychology. In English, people use many other euphemisms to express disease or death. Such as “be safe in the arms of Jesus”, “be asleep in the valley”，“be in Abraham’s bosom”, “be promoted to glory”，“be taken to paradise”,“breathe one's last”etc. In China, people also evade the word “death”, they may often say “mount and ride away to Elysian” or “Pass away peacefully.” From the ancie nt ages to now, there are various ways to call the different classic people’s death. For example, in English people say “He fell in battle”instead of “He was killed”. While we Chinese will say “He devoted himself to the country”. At the same time, when we talked about someonewas ill or got serious diseases, we also have tactful address. For instance, we will say “Are you feeling OK? ” to replace“Are you ill? ”. And we will use “C.C” to take the place of canner. Venereal disease substitute for “V.D”.2.2 Taboos on religion and addressThe earliest taboo of Britain is related to religion and the words about gods are regarded as holy. So people could not be blasphemous to them. They started to use euphemism to convey their respect to the gods. [2]Such as: men call the God and Satan as“the god of the world”, “the Big D”, “the good man”, “Dadi(大帝)” , “Dashen(大神)” instead of words with evil meaning. And at the same time, to China especially in the feudalism society, the common people should avert using the same words as the rulers names because the ruler should stay his unique position and nobody can shake his power. As we know, in Qin ages, the emperor named Ying Zheng. In order to not offend his imperial power, people changed “正月”into“端月”or read the word “正”in the first tone as “征”. It was very common in our ancient ages, liked the “Wen Zi Yu” in Qin dynasty as it was a big event on writings.2.3 Taboos on sexThis topic still be a secret and private one to human beings from the ancient times to now. Most of the people think it is impolite to mention anything about sex in some the social or formal interactions. Those words related with sex or genitals can be only used on a very informal occasion or in the field of medical. One of the most important reason is that both of the countries’s people, they will be very care of the education to their children. Due to the Sex Liberation in the western countries during the 1960s, the English speaking countries took a more freedom, open attitude towards sex. therefore, the phrases “to make love”, “to have sex with” “art of pleasure”, “to approach” could be often found in written form, however, when they talk about something on it, people tend to replace them with the euphemisms[2]. And when we talked about somebody has baby, people would lke to say “in the family way” or “in a delicate condition” rather than use the wold “pregnant”. And to Chinese, in general, we may say “she will be a mother soon” or “she has something happy”.2.4 Taboos on sexual discriminationIn both English and Chinese, there are lots of languages whose centre is depended on man. They are partial to and side with man while belittle woman. The most obvious example is that people will not use “she”to instead of “he” in communication as well as t o Chinese when the sexual distinction is not clear. The host will call woman “chairman” even “madam chairman”. In ancient China, women are thought as ignorance, lower status, “woman’s view(妇人之见)”，“long hair with short experience(头发长见识短)” and so on. While the husband may call his wife as “in home(家里的)”，“the behind(后头的)”or “humble wife(贱内)”. As for Chinese characters, there are lot of words with evil meaning formed by “女”，such as “奸”，“嫖”，and “婊”. So it is unfair for people to look down on woman.In conclusion, the taboo in English and Chinese have some similar characters and tendency. Though there may be lots of differences on geography , languages, customs and other aspects, the thought of one thing can't be totally contrary, it is the general character of human.3. The differences between English and Chinese tabooEnglish and Chinese are belong to two different language families, included the discrepancieson history, culture, thought, cognition, psychology and other terms, which have made the inevitable differences between English and Chinese taboo. We can see it fall into the following four aspects.3.1 Taboos on age and body weightIn English communication, the question “How old are you?” and “What is your age?”are seldom used by people as it is very impolite and embarrassed to ask such questions. They would like to say “senior citizen” than “old people” and when say someone is fat, we can describe he/she as full figure. “Becoming old” is an inexorable natural law, however, people in China and Britain hold different opinion towards it, and produce different cultural connotations. Generally speaking, Chinese give “the old age” a more positive meaning, for “old” is the symbol of wisdom and experience. Chinese people always take the old age to proud when they are addressed as “old Wang”, “old Yang”, or “old Zhou”. As the saying goes“老骥伏枥，志在千里”and “姜还是老的辣”. And to weight, most Chinese people are found of “a little bit heavier(发福)”，as it indicates that he/she has a good life condition. Particularly in Tang dynasty people see fat as beauty.3.2 Taboos on income and matrimonyThese two aspects are both private things. People take serious attitude toward it in English speaking countries. While in China, the daily conversation like “Are you married?”, “What is you income?”, “How much is you cloth?” or “Why do you divorce with your husband?”is easily accepted by Chinese as people think it is a good reflection about their works and lives and they are all pleasant to share them with others. To English, it will be regarded as one kind invasion of privacy and people will be unhappy if you ask such questions. Unlike Chinese, English people will often greet other people with the question “How nice the weather!” , “Morning!” or “How are you！”. Because Chinese think i t is a good way to further affection between friends or neighbours by talking about the most care thing and also can show solicitude for others. To youth, nowadays, most people will judge if he/she is a close friend depend on whether he/she talk everything with him/her. It maybe a little absolute but it is the common phenomenon in China.3.3 Taboos on politicsWith the rapidly development of frequent international associations, under the globalization, there have been turned up some political euphemism, s uch as “developing countries”and “south-north dialogue(south represents developing countries and north represents developed countries )”. It is very important for those countries to pay attention to the political taboos because it can have a great impact o n the whole world’s common development and harmony, like economy, military affairs, culture, etc. so that they can achieve the rewarding benefits. In the international communication, the peace of the world is very important. A suitable address of conference or activities should avoid discriminating undeveloped countries so that can make the communication smoothly.ConclusionIn a word, every country or nationality has its own taboos as we are living in different environment, which determine we could not have the same things on common. What we should do is to know about the differences and similarities of taboo words between English and Chinese thenwe can have a full use of them to create a more harmonious atmosphere for international communication and cooperation. After that, when we come cross some taboos about the place, we can have a quick response to adopt euphemism or other ways to replace it. That is the target why we do such studies. No matter we talk about the differences or similarities, based on nowadays achievements, we can clearly see that some aspects of the taboos are becoming the same though they are almost different now. At the same time, the mix together of different cultures also remind us to keep the characters of native culture and improve it by learning others, which will be a appropriate method to enhance the international communication.References[1].Zhen ya. Language and Culture [M]. Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2004[2]Chang Yujie. On Cultural Difference of the Taboo Words between English and Chinese,2011[3]胡文仲.中西文化习俗比较.北京: 外语教学与研究出版社, 2001.[4]李桂媛. 英汉禁忌语及委婉语探讨[ J ]. 天津外国语学院学报, 2004, (5)[5]叶玲. 浅谈带有社会和心理印记的英汉禁忌语[J]. 科技资讯，2007（14）.。