中英文化中的颜色词汇对比

A comparative study of English and Chinese colorwords中英文化中的颜色词汇对比【关键词】颜色词；文化；含义；跨文化交际Ⅰ. IntroductionColor is a visual phenomenon which is launched, reflected or caused through certain light wave by the object; it is one kind of visual essential features of human eye. But color words are the terms that describe colors which are used to describe of all things in the world.The nature is colorful, and so many words can be used to describe it. Generally speaking, black symbolizes oppression, white shows purity and innocence, green brings vital force. However, the same color may have the different meaning in English and Chinese, because of the different history and culture. And after careful study of color words, it is easy to find that color words can produ ce various associations, which have a great effect on a person’s mood and behavior. That is the main reason that people use color words to explain their moral character, mood and opinions to things. In different countries, color words of cultural connotations are different. Cultural connotation means vocabulary is endowed with the meaning of metaphor, association, symbol and so on. Although color words of different languages have the same conceptual meaning, their connotative meanings are different. Different cultural background and habits of language expressions result in the different connotations of color words and they have a great effect on the cultural connotations of words. The association of acceptation and cultural image are cultural information gap. This gap influences people to understand the meaning of the same word. For example, black symbolizes melancholy and awfulness in some English-speaking countries. So, people in those countries are often in black when they attend a funeral or some important social gatherings. But, to Chinese people, we use white to show a grief to a death.In a word, color is a very important field of people’s basically knowledge. It concerns people’s life closely, carrying basic features of physics and rich cultural connotations. when one kind of colors has different meanings in different cultures, we can’t say which kind of linguistic expression is more reasonable, more exact and better to use. So a comparative study of English and Chinese color words is very important to understand English and Chinese language, culture and cross-cultural communication.Ⅱ. Similarities of Color Words between English and ChineseDue to the commonness of the language, some color words may have the same meaning in two specific cultures. Here this thesis will elaborate the similar meanings of some color words in English and Chinese first.A. Similarities of Red in English and ChineseRed is the earliest color used by human in the world. In ancient time, people got warmth and light from the sun. Fire was used to cook. The impression from the sun and fire was red, so they thought red was a warm color that could bring us happiness and excitement. This view is handed down from the ancient time and becomes a tradition. In both Chinese and English culture, red is usually related with happy occasions. On calendar, we can find that holidays such as Spring Festival, Christmas Day are printed in red, which is called “red letter days”, while ordinary days are in black. Besides, “to paint the town red” is to celebrate widely. Another English example is “to roll out the red carpet for someone” that means to give a hospitable and formal reception1.In Chinese culture, red is the most commendatory term, which stands for fervor, celebration and congratulation. In the happy days, wedding days and festivals, Chinese like wearing red clothes, in order to create a red and lively atmosphere. People designed a kind of clothes which named Tang Clothes, is very popular in society, and most of these clothes are red. Now, red also becomes a sign for stopping and prohibition, such as the red traffic light.Besides, red and “红” are also connected with solemnity and acceptance, which are embodied in the red color of seals of both government and common people. In English, the phrase “red carpet” has this meaning: a red carpet is placed on the ground to welcome special persons or the visiting leaders of another country. It is a way of honoring the important visitors. In China, this custom can also be dated back to ancient times, when most things in the authorities are painted in red. If the emperors read the memorial to the throne by making red notes, which was called “朱批”, it indicated getting the permission of rulers. Moreover, red is associated with certain emotions in both English and Chinese. In Chinese “脸红” shows embarrassment or shyness, so does it in English “to become red-faced” or“one’s face turn red”.B. Similarities of White in English and ChineseIn western countries, white has the meanings of “brightness”,“purity” and“innocence”. So in the western wedding, people like using white to decorate everything and the wedding is called “white wedding”. There are some expressions connoting the meaning of purity. For example, “a white man” is usually used to indicate a reliable person.As in “a white hat”,“a white soul”, white means purity. In addition,“make one’s name white again” means making somebody innocent and return to the good fame. If someone is said to be “white-handed”, it means he or she is honest or innocent.“In China, white is the color of ice, snow, jade and silver, so it stands for the innocent moral conduct, and it is the color of gentleman. In addition, white is one of the pure colors, so it has a high status. The carved balustrade in the palace, the memorial column and the memorial archway in nobles are all white.”2 Therefore, white is also connected with the connotation of purity in Chinese, such as “洁白无暇”. For example, nurses are called “白衣天使” or“白衣战士”, because they wear white uniform, and take good care of the sick people, which looks like angels bringing life and brightness to patients. White also has the meaning of innocence in Chinese, such as “白” in“清白无辜”, and“不白之冤” which contains the same meaning.In addition, white and “白” also indicate“failure”. It often happens in a war or some games. The yielding part will hang a “white flag” or“白旗” as a sign of accepting the failure.“White” and “白” can both refer to people with white skin, such as“白人”. If someone looks pale because of illness or strong emotion, such as “脸色苍白” which means somebody’s face appeals pale, white and “白” can be used.C. Similarities of Yellow in English and Chinese“黄” in Chinese shape equals“yellow” in English. Yellow in both cultures has two main same senses. One is about disease and warning. “面黄肌瘦” refers to people’s health is in bad conditions. Yellow in English has the same sense too. Yellow blight is a kind of disease, and yellow fever refers to a kind of disease originated from tropical virus. Besides, yellow card used in sports games. Another is the symbol of decline, depression, and death. Because yellow is always concerned with fall, and when autumn comes, leaves fall, everything decline. For example, in Tang dynasty, a very famous poet wrote a poem “岁去人白头，秋来树叶黄。