从中西方谚语中探索中西方文化的差别

摘要

谚语是意义完整的固定句子，是一种重要的语言形式。在不同文化的谚语中，相同的物体和行为往往被赋予不一样的含义和思想感情。本文研究的目的便是通过研究英汉谚语来探索中西方文化的差异。文章首先从谚语的构成方面比较了英汉谚语的差异，然后从中西方人们的居住环境、人文思想、道德观念、宗教信仰和风俗习惯五个方面对英汉谚语进行比较和分析，并总结出中西文化在这些方面的差异。通过本文对英汉谚语的研究和总结，我们将学习到两种谚语的不同文化内涵，更重要的是，这有助于我们更加正确地使用英汉谚语。因此，研究中西方谚语之间的文化差异具有重大的理论和现实意义。

关键词：谚语；中西方文化；差异

Abstract

Proverb is a complete sentence，and it is an important form of language. In the different proverbs that from different culture, the same things and the same behavior show represent different means and different feelings. The paper is aimed to explore the cultural differences between Chinese and Western proverbs. Firstly, the author analysis the differences from their unique characteristics, then summarizes the differences of living environment, humanistic idea, moral views, religious beliefs and social customs between Chinese culture and Western one by comparing and analyzing Chinese proverbs and English ones. Through the study and summary of this paper we will learn the different cultural connotation from different culture. What’s more, we will use Chinese and Western proverbs more easily and more accurately. So it is no exaggeration to say that a comparison between English and Chinese proverbs is of great practical and theoretical significance.

Key words: Proverbs; Western and Chinese culture; differences

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the writing of this thesis. I gratefully acknowledge the help of my supervisor, Xia Li, who has offered me valuable suggestions in the academic studies. Without her encouragement, insightful criticism and gracious guidance, the completion of this thesis would not have been possible.

I also owe a special debt of gratitude to all the teachers in Foreign Languages School, from whose devoted teaching and enlightening lectures I have benefited a lot and academically prepared for the thesis.

I should finally like to express my gratitude to my beloved parents who have always been helping me out of difficulties and supporting without a word of complaint.

Outline

Ⅰ. Introduction

Ⅱ. The Characteristics and Impact of Proverbs

A. The Unique Characteristics of Proverbs

1. Form of Characters

2. Sentence Pattern

3. Rhetorical Devices

B. The Position and Role of Proverbs in the Real Life

Ⅲ. The cultural differences of Chinese and Western Proverbs

A. Proverbs of Living Environment

B. Proverbs of Humanistic Idea

C. Proverbs of Moral Views

1. The Attitude Towards Reputation

2. The View of Love

3. Filial Duty

4. The Attitude Towards Woman

D. Proverbs of Religious Beliefs

1. God and no God

2. The Idea of Equality and Grade

E. Proverbs of Custom

Ⅳ.Conclusion