语言与文化

Cultural Evidence in English Daily Language

Expressions

I.Introduction.

About “Cultural Evidence in English Daily Language Expression s”I …d like to say that language of English is the important meas of communication, and inseparable with culture.So I want to figure out some aspect from culture.Four pacts are including---Idioms,Metaphor and Association,Language of Respect and Humility.

II.Body

2.1 Idioms

The idioms is including scores of characters or events from their

history,legends,literature,religion,etc .Such references--idioms--not only make the language richer,but also make communication much more vivid and often easier.

Let‟s us illustrate an Uncle Tom.in their history an Uncle Tom-a meek person, especially a black, who submits to indignities and sufferings without any thought or act of rebelling; a derogatory term originating from the main character in Harriet Beecher Stowe‟ s novel Uncle Tom’ s Cabin. This is the culture evidence which can explain the meaning of those idioms . And there also have some geographical names,names of day of the weeks and scientific names and terms which used in the daily life,they all have the deeply culture meaning to support the idioms.Like: Europe-- Europa,a princess who was abducted and carried off by a bull to Crete;the bull was actually Zeus,king of the gods in Greek mythology.

Atlantic Ocean-- Atlantis,a mythical island in what is now the Atlantic Ocean. Paris--Paris,son of the king of Troy;in Greek mythology,his abduction of the beautiful Helen led to the Trojan War.

Wednesday--Woden,most powerful of gods in AngloSaxon mythology

Uranium(chemistry)--Uranus,Roman mythological god of the heavens.

Jupiter(largest planet from the sun)--Jupiter,god of the sky,king of the Roman gods. Those example are told us that all the idioms are all has they source,has they culture.

Those evidence shows us that every words are not appear without any cause or reason.

2.2 Metaphor and Association

Metaphors are found in all languages.They make images vivid;they bring so much life to language.English is rich in metaphor .But we need to know that All English metaphor all has they own reason to explain it.

For example. As wise as an owl indicates that English-speaking people associate wisdom with this bird.In children‟ s books and cartoons, the owl is usually solemn and wise. In disputes among birds and beasts,it is the owl that acts as judge.In moments of crisis, it is the owl that they go to for advice.Sometimes the bird is considered as impractical and foolish, but in the main, the owl stands for wisdom.In the Western mythology history,Owl it is said to be the goddess Athena …s birds , and the owl inherited her wisdom .So the owl is the symbol of wisdom.And another example . How does English people to express“cunning” ,”untrustworthy”, ”diplomatically” ?In Chinese we usually use “loach”to express this meaning.But the Loach,which is not all common in most English-speaking countries, would merely be considered as another kind of fish;people would not think of it as being slippery and untrustworthy .The English saying slippery as an eel---which has the same meaning and feeling as the Chinese expression about the loach above.

2.3 Language of Respect and Humility

I want to say that this matter of honorifics is especially troublesome for

English-speaking people trying to communicate in Chinese. The reason is that English has very few such terms, and of these, even fewer are commonly used in present times.

Why America always call names to they parents or parents in law or some people who are older than they?It because of the name for them is just a symbol, often by name also kind, pay attention to and care. Call father is not a lack of respect, the opposite is called a normal American social communication. So often heard the words of praise and praise the name of the. Americans pay more attention to the name, it is the only representative of a person.I thought that the reason why English-people speak