中西方谚语中时间观念之对比分析

中西方谚语中时间观念之对比分析

A Contrastive Analysis of Time Concept in Chinese and Western

Proverbs

Acknowledgements

This thesis has taken me almost two years to turn it from conception to the final completion. It is a work of joint efforts from many people. So I especially wish to extend my gratitude for the following people.

Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my supervisor Professor Meng li for her patient and constructive instructions on my thesis writing. I have got more inspiration and motivation to accomplish this study. I can deeply touched by her responsibility.

Secondly, I would like to thank my dear classmates and roommates. They helped me so much by giving me useful suggestions and encourage me when I was in trouble and in confusion. Without their concern and companion, I cannot finish my paper smoothly. I benefit a lot from our daily communication.

All in all, thanks all the people who offer me selfless support. Your kindness would be remembered forever.

Abstract

Different cultural backgrounds shape people's different concepts of time. Due to the differences of Chinese and Western cultural traditions, people's time concepts are different. This article briefly introduces the differences in time concepts between Chinese and Western proverbs, including time and money, opportunities, changes and speed, and explains the reasons for the different time concepts from three aspects: total culture, history and society. The study of Chinese and Western languages and intercultural communication play a guiding role.

Key words: American proverbs; Chinese proverbs; time concept

摘要

不同的文化背景塑造了人们不同的时间观念，由于中西方文化传统的不同，导致人们的时间观念存在差异。本文简单介绍了中西方谚语中时间观念的不同，包含时间与金钱、机遇、改变以及速度方面，并总文化、历史、社会三个方面阐述了导致时间观念不同的原因，以期为在一定程度上对中西语言研究以及跨文化交际研究起指导作用。

关键词: 美国谚语；中国谚语；时间观念

Contents

Acknowledgements (i)

Abstract (ii)

摘要 (iii)

1 Introduction (7)

2 Literature Review (7)

3 Comparison and Analysis (3)

3.1 The Proverbs Reflecting Time Value (7)

3.1.1 Time＆Money (8)

3.1.2 Time＆Opportunity (8)

3.2 The Proverbs Reflecting Time Experience (9)

3.2.1 Time＆Change (9)

3.2.2 Time＆Speed (9)

4 The Reasons of Difference in Time Concept (10)

4.1 Culture (10)

4.2 History (10)

4.3 Society (10)

5 Conclusion (11)

Works Cited (11)

(Appendix) (11)

A Contrastive Analysis of Time Concept in Chinese and Western

Proverbs

1Introduction

E•C•Stewart said that barriers to unde rstanding each other in cross-cultural communication can be attributed to differences in common ideas and values among different cultures. The concept of time is a different understanding and understanding of time by different nations. It is a basic factor of the environment of human activities and a part of the deep structure of a national culture. ETHall, an American anthropologist, once said: "Time speaks. It is more forthright than the vocal language, and the message it conveys is loud and clear, because it is neither controlled nor easily misunderstood as a vocal language , It can often reveal the lies expressed by words. "Each culture has its own" time language "just as it has its own language, its specific cultural background of time attitude and explanation, and" time language "does not pass through conscious Of the "learning" has come, but imperceptibly "learned". This article probes into the differences in time and the reasons why Western and Chinese sayings are among Chinese and Western people.

2 Literature Review

All ethnic groups keep a record of culture through culture with ethnic characteristics and reflect the culture and exchange of culture. Proverbs, as a kind of language, are "the essence of language extracted from the oral and classics of the people" and are one of the oldest and most valuable manifestations of human culture. Proverbs have their own characteristics in content, social function and form. In terms of content, the proverb is the summary of working-life experience and the crystallization of wisdom; it reflects the status of a nation. In social functions, proverbs often serve to convey experience and reflect the role of reality. In formal terms, proverbs tend to be concise and easy to understand. Due to the difference of culture, history and society, the time in Chinese and western proverbs is also different.