英汉词义的不对应性

毕 业 论 文Nonequivalence of the Semantic Meaning of Wordsin Chinese and English学生姓名： 学号：学 院： 专 业：指导教师：2012年 6月金建龙 0808034125 人文社会科学学院 英语 李儒Nonequivalence of the Semantic Meaning of Wordsin Chinese and EnglishbyJin JianlongA ThesisSubmitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirementsfor the Degree of Bachelor of Artsin the Department of Foreign Languagesof North University of ChinaUnder the Supervision of Li RuJune 30, 2012AcknowledgementsI would like to show my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Li Ru for all the help she has offered me during the preparation and writing of this paper and for all the pains she took in reading and correcting my drafts. It is obvious that without her patient instruction, helpful suggestions and constant encouragement, I could not have fulfilled this task as successfully as I wished.I wish to express my thanks to all my roommates. In the writing process, I have received considerable help from them. They kindly gave me useful suggestions on editing my paper, without which, the completion of this paper would have been impossible.I am also grateful to all my teachers. Besides the professional knowledge, they have also taught me to be careful and responsible, which greatly benefits me in the writing of the paper. And I would also like to thank all my fellow classmates, who have given me great help both in the course of the paper writing and during all four college years.AbstractIn English and Chinese languages, cultural connotations of vocabulary is extremely rich, however, English and Chinese belong to different language and have very different.A lot of words in two languages can not find the corresponding words. Although some of the words may find the corresponding words in two languages, the words are very different in the semantic and cultural levels. There is very different in conceptual meaning and cultural connotation of English-Chinese glossary, which causes the corresponding words in the semantics. Words can reflect the cultural features of a nation. This paper is from the view of Chinese-Western cultural contrast to discuss about the influence of cultural connotation of words on the English language learning for Chinese students. Cultural connotation and denotative meaning of terms in English and Chinese are of great signification in research. So we should make great effort in under standing their cultural connotation in order to have a good command of these words.Key words: semantic meaning; conceptual meaning; cultural connotation; non-equivalence摘要随着经济的迅猛发展,国际化及全球化已日趋成为一种普遍现象并对当代大学生产生了非常重要的影响。

而英语作为一门世界性通用语言,其学习者也与日俱增。

在掌握基本语法规则的同时, 当今的世界形势也要求英语学习者们有能够用于真正交际的英语语言能力。

正确的使用英语这门工具才能使我们在日常工作学习中减少误解和分歧。

英汉两种语言中, 词汇的文化内涵极为丰富, 但由于英汉两种语言分别属于不同的语系, 存在很大的差异。

有很多词在两种语言中找不到相对应的词, 有些词虽然可以在两种语言中找到相对应的词, 但在语义与文化层面上有很大的不同。

从语义学角度出发, 就英汉词汇的概念意义和文化内涵方面存在的差异所造成的英汉词义的非对应关系进行探讨。

关键词：语义意义；概念含义；文化内涵；非等价Table of ContentsAcknowledgements (i)Abstract in English ................................................................................................................ i i Abstract in Chinese ............................................................................................................... i ii Table of Contents (iv)I Introduction (1)II Conceptual meaning (1)2.1 Chinese vocabulary (2)2.2 English vocabulary (2)III Hyponymy in the concept (3)3.1 Abstract and summary of Chinese vocabulary (3)3.1.1 Conceptual meaning of some English-Chinese glossary (3)3.1.2 Specific cultural connotations in two cultures (4)3.2 Abstract and summary of English vocabulary .....................................................错误！未定义书签。

3.2.1 Conceptual meaning of some English-Chinese glossary (3)3.2.2 Specific cultural connotations in two cultures (4)IV Specific cultural connotations of English and Chinese V ocabulary (7)V Conclusion (8)Bibliography (10)I IntroductionEnglish and Chinese reflect two different kinds of culture, and the respective representatives of their own culture. There are many differences in the expression of English and Chinese, including grammar, phonetics, translation, rhetoric, meaning and so on.Language and vocabulary are not alone and deeply rooted in culture, Which reflects the beliefs and feelings of cultural organizations. Language and vocabulary also carry culture, information, tool that reflects the human social life.What is culture? "Culture is a complex entirety, which includes knowledge, faith, art, law, morality, custom, and also any other abilities and habits acquired by human beings as social members." Tylor (2003) said what is idiom? Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary (6th Edition) explained that "An idiom was a phrase whose meaning was difficult or sometimes impossible to guess by looking at the meanings of the individual words it contained."Plattt (2000) thought language and culture that ware closely related ware symbiotic, interdependent. On the one hand language which play an important role of cultural was an prominent part of culture. The other hand, the language which reflected a nation's cultural identity could not be divorced from the cultural and influenced by culture. It not only included the nation's history and cultural background, but also had a new way of life and way of thinking. So the vocabulary of both English and Chinese national cultural identity existed nonequivalence of the semantic meaning of words.II Conceptual meaningDeng Yanchang （1989）thought the conceptual meaning of the word was that part o f the meaning o f a word or phrase that relates it to phenomena in the real world or in a fictional or possible world. Conceptual meaning often could be compare with reference, cognitive meaning, and denotative meaning in systems of meaning. It could be seen as the central meaning of the word. Even though conceptual meaning is a reflection of real-world phenomena, People make a reflection of things which will be inevitably affected by national culture and difference of the thing itself.2.1 Chinese vocabularyEnglish can not express the Chinese vocabulary. English vocabulary lack of Chinese words fundamentally. V ocabulary vacancy is that the literal meaning of the vocabulary and the extension of the vocabulary have no corresponding words in another language, Such as Chinese dumplings, biscuits, ravioli, sugar-coated haws, kang, bowed, kowtow, martial arts, 24 solar terms, zodiac, yin, yang, the Five Elements etc. These words can not find the corresponding word in English. There is no such words in English, which are benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and credit in Chinese Confucianism. Most of Asians believe in Buddhism or other religions, while Westerners believe in Christian. The teachings and rituals of the two religions are not the same, which also caused a vacancy in the vocabulary. Foreigners can not understand a strong awareness of Chinese culture and religion, like Chinese Goddess of Mercy, the Jade Emperor, Feng Shui, Earth Temple, the Jade Rabbit, etc.2.2 English vocabularyChinese can not express the English vocabulary. Chinese vocabulary lack of English words fundamentally. There is no such words in Chinese, like American Dream means freedom for all and equality of opportunity, Cheesecake means women's bodybuilding photos, beefcake means men's bodybuilding photos, Halfway house means rehabilitation hospital, blueboy means degeneration operation, Pink Lady means cocktail, and so on. Some English-Chinese glossary keep the relationship of hyponymy in the concept. Chinese vocabulary is abstract and summary, but English vocabulary is only hyponyms. For example wine in Chinese is difficult to find its corresponding word in English and is roughly equivalent to the alcoholic drink in English, Including beer, wine, spirits, whisky, champagne and so on. On the contrary English vocabulary is abstract and summary, but Chinese vocabulary is only hyponyms. Brother, sister, aunt,uncle, grandfather, grandmother in English are difficult to find its corresponding word in Chinese. Uncle in English can be expressed 叔叔, 伯伯, 舅舅, 姑父, 姨夫in Chinese. The words of the title in English like director can be expressed 局长, 所长, 主任, 导员, in Chinese, president can be expressed 总统, 大学校长, in Chinese.III Hyponymy in the concept3.1 Abstract and summary of Chinese vocabularyNonequivalence of the semantic meaning of words in Chinese and English can be caused by the cultural connotation of the word. Wang Rongpei (2002) thought the cultural connotation of the word mean that the language contains the traditions and ideological characteristics of the ethnic or social groups. Every culture had a national character extremely. Every nation must have unique characteristics. V ocabulary as a kind of the media convey information or to express ideas between people. V ocabulary had been given the unique culture, with a strong national character and strong times. Because of the different cultural groups (or countries), the natural ecological environment, the level of economic development, political systems and ideologies, etc. People have very different psychological characteristics for the same things or concepts. Connotations that stems from cultural backgrounds refers to a variety of other extended meaning, symbolic meaning, the metaphor besides the basic meaning or literal meaning. When the concept of words in English and Chinese is the same meaning. V ocabulary has some differences in the cultural connotation, which can cause nonequivalence of the semantic meaning of words in Chinese and English. There are some semi-vacant words in English and Chinese. Semi-vacant term refers to the concept of the same meaning in both languages, but cultural connotations has been inconsistent in the context of their own culture. There is the cultural additional meaning in the vocabulary of a language. V ocabulary in another language is the lack of culture - added meaning. English and Chinese words own specific cultural connotations, but cultural connotations is different.3.1.1Conceptual meaning of some English-Chinese glossaryConceptual meaning of some English-Chinese glossary is the same, but cultural connotation is missing in Chinese. Number 13 in Chinese and English is the same in the concept of meaning, Number 13 is neither derogatory nor compliment in Chinese. However, 13 in English is seen as a fierce. A number of people avoid to mention it, even 12A is instead of the 13th floor of some buildings, The 13th row of some airplanes, trains, theaters, are vacancy, the 13th day of each month is not suitable for the celebrationof the festive activities.Farmers in Chinese refer to people who directly engaged in agricultural production and labor and are an important force in revolutionary struggle or socialist construction. Peasant in English is translated into "农民" in Chinese but, the significance of peasant in the English is different with "农民" in Chinese and is derogatory. The definition of peasant in the American Heritage Dictionary is countryman, farmer, country bumpkin, the upbringing of poor people, rude people.The words of some animals in English express the cultural connotation, which is a vacancy in Chinese. Oyster in English is a metaphor for a man of few words. Like ( as) dumb as an oyster "沉默不语", beaver "he li", eager beaver "做事卖力讨好上司",swan(天鹅) means the talented poet. According to Greek legend, the soul of the music of Apollo coming into a swan, which result out Pythagorean fable: the soul of all the outstanding poet coming into the swan's body.3.1.2Specific cultural connotations in two culturesEnglish and Chinese V ocabulary in two cultures have specific cultural connotations which are different. Owl in English is the symbol of wisdom. In Greek and Roman mythology, owl often perches on the side of the goddess Athena, so owl in English is the symbol of wisdom. Like, idiom that "as wise as an owl" is one example. Owl often rules the disputes between the animal in British mythology. However, the image of the owl is different in the Chinese. Many people think that the owl is a bird of ominous, the owl's hoot link to death, bad luck and bad luck, and "a night owl (the owl) into the house" means doom coming.Bat is portrayed as an evil animal in English culture, folklore, and always associated with the evil and darkness. Especially vampire bat is the more frightening. .English has a bad association and metaphors that "blind as a bat", "as crazy as a bat". The cultural significance of the bat in Chinese is completely different from English cultural significance. The bat is used to symbolize the happiness and good, because bat and "xing fu" in Chinese are homonym.3.2 Abstract and summary of English vocabulary3.2.1Conceptual meaning of some English-Chinese glossaryConceptual meaning of some English-Chinese glossary is the same, but cultural connotation is missing in English. Number 8 in Chinese was given the cultural significance that is auspicious. "Du Dan" in Chinese and peony in English are used to refer to the same plant and the meaning of concept is the same, but Peony in Chinese is a symbol of wealth and honor and is known as the Queen of Flowers. In painting, peonies are often associated with the lotus, plum blossom, chrysanthemum, etc, that symbolize the four seasons. The peony is a symbol of spring. Peony gets together with hibiscus, said that the wealth. The peony express glorious doors with begonia and express wealth and honor and longevity with Pine and stone however, peony in English is lack of these cultural connotations.In the Chinese culture, 杏(apricot) is very rich in connotations. Chinese杏( apricot) sounds in pronunciation with兴(prosperity) and幸(fortune) which have the import of "prosperity, flourishing, happiness, and fortune". Tradition has it that董奉(Dong Feng, 奉in Chinese means contribution) of the Three King doms (220-265) cured the sick to save the patient free of charge, and what he asked for return was no thing but to have several apricots planted for him. The trees planted by the patients grew into a forest. So people o f later generations use杏林俊秀(outstanding talents in apricot forest ), 杏林高手(master hands in apricot forest), and 誉满杏林(famed in apricot forest) to pay tribute to the distinguished doctors, and as a result, 杏林(apricot forest) has become t he synonym of medical circle in China. Those plants that have served as the cultural symbols in the cultural history have played a certain role for the human‟s survival and development in the early stages of human civilization.In Chinese, pine and bamboo symbolize faithfulness and constancy, chrysanthemum refinement and elegance, peony luxuriousness, and plum nobility and purity. However, in English oak is the symbol of faithfulness and constancy, and lily is the symbol of refinement and elegance, and peony and plum have no culture-related meanings other than their literal meanings.There are occasions when one plant word is rich in metaphorical associations in one culture, while deficient in another. In other words, one plant word has rich cultural meaning in Chinese, while it has no culture-related meaning in English, and vice vers a. What accounts for this reason is that the specialness of the national culture contributes to the specialness o f the language, and the national ness of the metaphor. Divorced from the given social and historical culture, words and expressions will be bereft of their associative meanings.In the Chinese culture, 菊(chrysanthemum) often goes with 松(pine), meaning May you live a long life, and if 九(nine) , 鹌鹑鸟(quail) and 菊(chrysanthemum) are put together, they imply that nine generations under one roof enjoy the family happiness. Among the people, chrysanthemum is called the longevity flower. In summer people drink chrysanthemum tea, in autumn chrysanthemum wine, especially in the Double Ninth Festival(the 9th day of the 9th lunar month) drink wine while appreciating chrysanthemum, for they believe chrysanthemum is a good omen or propitious sign that can promise longevity and prolong life.3.2.2Specific cultural connotations in two culturesIn English culture, the dog has always been considered the most faithful friend, so Many idioms that are constituted by the dog contains compliment. For example: Every dog has his day (人人都有的得意时); Love me, love my dog (爱屋及乌), and so on. In Chinese, the dog often is considered as a nasty, vile, and other derogatory, like henchman, ungrateful and so on.Magpie is also a bird of good luck in Chinese culture, so people think that the Magpies can bring good luck. Magpie in English used as a metaphor nagging, rap, like "chatter like a magpie"(像喜鹊一样饶舌, 喋喋不休). The peacock is an auspicious symbol in Chinese culture and is a sign of good luck, however, the significance of the peacock in English is a derogatory basically, like pride, vanity. The young peacock in English, proud as a peacock (年轻狂妄的家伙). In Chinese mythology, the dragon as a symbol is the most complex and diverse. The word "dragon" in Chinese culture contains many different meanings. Chinese dragon is a good temperament, gentle, and benevolent creatures, but dragon in the English culture is generally described as a monster growing theclaws of the lion, the snake's tail, wings and scaly skin. In Western mythology, the phoenix regards to resurrection, regeneration. Phoenix survive five or six hundred in the legendary, build a Xiangchao, sing a dirge, fan the fire with wings and burned to ashes, and reborn a new the phoenix from the ashes. In Chinese legend, the Phoenix is a miraculous animal, the king of the birds and portends peace and harmony.IV Specific cultural connotations of English and Chinese VocabularyLanguage is the product of labor. The creation of language generated names to all things on the earth. Words of the language, besides their literal meanings, are endowed with culture-loaded meanings, connotations and colors, which are produced in and connected with a particular nation, national culture, and people‟s mentality in a particular community. The associations carried by the words are characteristic of a nation‟s features. Owing to the differences in cultures, every nation entrusts to its language different flavor of associations.Samovar (2000) thought that both Chinese and English boasted a long history. These two languages belonged to different language families. The birth and development of a language depended heavily on the local natural and physical environment, geological condition, especially national culture because different cultures would give birth to different languages as they were carriers of the culture which they mirrored. Chinese and English, as the children of different cultures, from the very beginning had been endowed with their respective cultural contents. Even some concepts in the two languages seemed to be similar in literal meanings, but they were quite apart in the aspect of culture-loaded ones.“Red bean” in English and “红豆”in Chinese, though similar in literal meaning , bring about two different associative meanings in the t wo different cultures. Red bean—a shrub famous for its red seeds which were used as love tokens, hence the variant name “lovesickness seeds”, is also called "相思豆(love pea)" in Chinese. "Red bean"in Chinese culture is the very symbol of love and longing. This metaphor was derived from Wang Wei's Languish with Lovesickness: The red bean grow s in southern lands. Withspring its slender tendrils twine. Gather for me some more, I pray, of fond remembrance …t is t he sign. 红豆生南国, 春来发几枝, 愿君多采撷, 此物最相思. (王维《相思》) In the English culture, "red bean" reminds one of Esau, a character in the Bible, who sold his primogeniture or birthright only for a bowl of red bean stew. According to the Bible story, when Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob, he forfeited all claim to property of his father Isaac. So the English idiom"sell one's birthright for some red-bean stew " means something like "forget what is right at the sight of profit". Thus, "红豆" is translated into "love bean" or "red berry" instead of "red bean" in case it triggers mistaken associations on the part of the English speakers.Schaffner (1995) said that potato was one of the most widely used vegetables in Europe and America. Potato chip, a thin slice of raw potato fried in deep fat and salted, was the favorite food enjoyed by the English people. Potato was so favored by the people in the western countries that it had entered into many English idioms with metaphorical implications. For example: "A couch potato" was someone who spends most of his time watching television and did not exercise or had any interesting hobby ; "a small potato" was an insignificant figure; "a clean potato" refer to a decent man; In English, you could refer to a difficult subject that people disagreed on as "a hot potato". Such potato-related instances were extremely common in English. In Chinese, however, such potato-centered phrases and idioms were seldom seen and figuratively used.The production and evolution of human beings are closely related to everything in the world. Different nations in the long course of history have gradually developed the living styles, local conditions and social customs, mind-setting, and national cultural tradition that are quite different fr om one national culture to another one. Both Chinese and English have plenty of proverbs and idioms made up of words, which are closely related to their respectively national culture and pregnant with implied meanings and rich in associations. V ConclusionAll in all, learning language is just learning culture, to understand the cultural connotation of words shows its great realistic significance: it can improve the learner‟s ability of using English language, can enlarge their knowledge scale of language, and alsoenrich their effective vocabulary; it can help the learners to know some contents of the cross-cultural studies, so as to widen their field of vision, and also to foster their interests in foreign culture. These just are the value of studying it. Language is created in the labor, Most of the language come from the productive activities and life experiences of ordinary people. 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