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1、A Study of Connotation of Color Words in English and Chinese CulturesAbstractLanguage is a kind of appearance of culture and it is the products of the social culture development. No language could be alive and develop without a social environment. The vocabulary is the most active factor in the lang
2、uage, and the meaning of color words in the vocabulary is abundant. Color is closely related to peoples life. In human language, the color words are frequently used and endowed with plentiful emotion and cultural connotation. We should pay attention to not only their own basic meaning, but also thei
3、r deeper symbolic meaning. Because of different cultural issues, cultural tradition and culture psychology, the cultural connotations of the English and Chinese color words differ greatly as a result, these particular cultural connotation meanings are cast under different environments by different n
4、ationalities. We can have more perfect command of the two language and make better cultural communication on the base of understanding their differences.1The definition of colorColor words, in whatever languages, are words used for describing the colors of different kinds of things. Different nation
5、alities have no difference in color esthesia or in the ability to correctly distinguish colors. Though some similarities exist when words are used in English and Chinese, there are more differences due to both the language and the cultural factors such as history, culture, customs and traditions.2Ba
6、sic color worsd in Chinese and English culturesIn the colorful world, different languages may have different number of color terms. In Chinese 赤,橙,黄,绿,青,蓝,紫, the seven colors in the rain bow, are thought to be the basic colors. However, in English it is usually considered there are eleven basic colo
7、rs, namely white, black, grey, brown, red, green, yellow, blue, purple, orange, and pink. Owing to the different historic cultural background of the two cultures, the same color words have different symbolic meanings.2.1 RedNo matter in China or western countries, “red“ comparatively has something r
8、elevant to celebrating. “Red“ in western culture is not so popularly welcomed as in China, but it still reveals happiness and luck on some special occasions. For instance, a red-letter day means “a day that is important or remarkable because something happen on it“, and the red carpet is specially g
9、ood or respectful treatment that is given to an important guest. Affected by English culture, there are some other similar meanings as to the color of “red“. It is used to express “danger“, “signal of stop“, “deficit“ or “anger“. The color red has also been a representation of love within a relation
10、ship between two people. A red rose, given to the bearers lover or more has always been known as a symbol of love. And in Chinese, there are “红豆“, it equals to English “love pea“, it is used to discribe the love.Besides these similarities, in China, people traditionally have a favor for the color “r
11、ed“. “Red“ is always related with the meaning of “joy“, “happiness“, and “good luck“. In Chinese, red is the symbol of being welcomed. On a serious welcome occasion, Chinese use “红灯高挂“, “披红戴绿“ to discribe it. There are some similar phrases when talked about the meaning of “good things“, such as:“红喜字
12、“, “红烛“, “红包“, “红盖头“. In addition, “red“ can also mean “prosper“ and “success“ in business, such as:“红利“, “分红“, “生意红火“, “开门红“. On the other hand, red represents revolution and socialism, such as “red political power“(红色政权), “the Red Army“(红军), “red flag“(红旗). Our mainland implement socialism, which
13、reflects in political the preference of red color, including Party flag, National flag, League flag, Pioneer flag and Red scarf.But in English culture, “red“ has its own specific meaning, especially its derogatory meaning. For example, “red“ is thought to be with the meaning of “violent“ or “bloodsh
14、ed“. Such as: a red battle, red vengeance. Otherwise, the connotation meaning of bright red is libidinous or flagrant. Up to now, “red light district“ in a few western nations still implies whorehouse(妓院).2.2 WhiteIn both English and Chinese cultures, “white“ means purity. On wedding days, English g
15、irls are wearing white bridal-dresses, for “white“ in their mind is the symbol of purity and lucky. And in the modern time, some Chinese do this, too. But it does not mean they are the same at any time.In English, “white“ has its specific feature. It stands for luck, such as: a white dog, white Chri
16、stmas. While in Chinese culture, “white“ is often connected with “funeral arrangement“. On funeral, Chinese people often wear white clothes. Meanwhile, white stands for honesty and uprightness. For example: a white spirit, white man, white hand(廉洁, 诚实).There are also some other Chinese phrases about 白: “白手起家“ means start from scratch, “白费心机“ means bother ones shead for nothing, “白色收入“ means “income which is legal“.2.3 BlackBlack symbolizes wicked and guilty in both English and Chinese. From
