从英汉动物习语的对比看中西方文化差异

论文总字数：23691字

摘 要

语言是人类社会最重要的沟通工具。习语是文化的载体，是语言的精华，是某种语言经过长期使用而提炼出来的固定短语或短句。英汉两种语言历史悠久，高度发达，拥有大量的习语，由于不同的历史文化，地理环境，宗教信仰等因素的影响，英汉习语都带有各自的民族特色。其中，动物习语是习语的重要组成部分,形象生动，具有较好的语言表达效果,鲜明地体现了中西方文化的异同。

本文通过对比东西方文化中部分动物习语表达的不同形象和涵义，分析英语和汉语的差异，以便读者们更好的理解动物习语。

关键词：动物习语；文化差异；原因

Contents

1.Introduction 2

2. Literature Review 2

3. Relationship between Culture Differences and Idioms 3

3.1 Definition of Idioms and Animal Idioms 3

3.2 Relationship between Culture Differences and Idioms 3

4. Contrast of English and Chinese Animal Idioms 4

4.1 The Same Animal with the Same Meaning 4

4.2 The Same Animal with Different Meanings 5

4.3 Different Animals with the Same Meanings 6

5. Reasons for Differences between English and Chinese Animal Idioms 7

5.1 History and Culture 7

5.2 Living Environment 8

5.3 Religious Beliefs 9

6. Conclusion 10

Works Cited 11

1. Introduction

With the development of economic globalization, the culture exchanges between Chinese and the Western become more and more frequent. At the same time, it is associated with culture conflicts. As is known to all, economy and culture are undivided. Hence, comprehending both similarities and differences between Chinese and Western culture is requisite for economic progress.

We can give no causes for much criticism that idioms are the core of any language. Without idioms, languages would be vapid. Idioms are fixed phrases or short sentences, which are shaped in the process of using a language. And idioms can better show the culture features and connotations. Idioms are the products of history, which can bring our life experiences to be concretized. Both Chinese and English are sized by rich idioms which are connotative, genteel, pensive, brief and vivid. Therefore, idioms can reflect their national characteristics very well. A better understanding of animal idioms can be conductive to study the culture differences between English and Chinese.

2. Literature Review

At the end of 1980s, with the rapid development of opening-up policy, studies on comparison between English and Chinese idioms were further developed. Idioms were learned from transverse direction and longitudinal direction. The main study on transverse direction is phrase. However, longitudinal direction stressed the key point on grammar, semantics and pragmatic features of English and Chinese idioms. Moreover, scholars also have conducted researches on idioms from psychology, sociology, history, geography and other aspects. So the comparison between English and Chinese idioms has become colorful.

Many domestic and foreign linguists have taken animal idioms seriously. At home, Yu Fumin and Guo Shanlian (1999) made victorious efforts in comparing studies on English and Chinese idioms to demonstrate the writer’s relevant points. Jiang Lei have studied animal idioms, making an investigation of contrastive researches of English and Chinese idioms, which indicates the long history and culture features. Furthermore, Smith (1925) published Words and Idioms, which turned to be the representative of the early studies of idioms. Strassler (2004) made a practical analysis of the function of idioms, laying the foundation of future theoretical studies on idioms.

3. Relationship between Culture Differences and Idioms

3.1 Definition of Idioms and Animal Idioms

Idioms usually include proverbs, mottoes, slangs, allusion and so on. They are mostly elegant, concise, comprehensive and vivid, which are full of wit and humor, giving people a kind of beauty. Meanwhile, due to these features, it is convenient for idioms to spread.

Idioms are short sentences or fixed phrases originated from long-term use of languages. They include affluent information, culture backgrounds and culture features. They have characteristic images and cryptic analogies, showing the distinctive national features.（Bao Huinan 148)

The short sentences and fixed phrases in English and Chinese are called “idioms”. Idioms, fixed in their structure, have been used for expressing the full meaning for a long time. Such phrases and sentences are gradually shaped in the development of languages, so they cannot be recombined. (Jiang Lei 49)

Animal idioms, as the name suggests, are one kind of idioms which are united with animal words. The vivid images of animal idioms can help us learn idioms easily.

3.2 Relationship between Culture Differences and Idioms

Language is the precondition of the form and development of culture. Language is like a mirror that reflects the culture value. As the most active factors of languages, vocabulary and idioms are the windows that we can know the spirits of a nation. It is generally appreciated that idioms are the core of any language. They make the geography, history, social systems and social attitudes of a nation known adequately, implying rich culture information. Idioms are provided with distinctive national features and regional colors. In the reflection of culture differences, idioms are more typical and representative than other components of a language.

With the increasing development of cross-cultural communication, people have paid more attention to idioms for better understanding the culture of a nation.

Idioms and culture are closely interrelated. Culture can be shown by idioms. At the same time, idioms are affected by culture obviously. Effective communication relies on deep understanding of its cultural background. Hence, understanding the culture differences through idioms plays a very important role in culture communication.

4. Contrast of English and Chinese Animal Idioms

Because of the development of human civilization, the awareness of surroundings also has generality and unity. Consequently, each nation will come to an agreement of experiences of life and realization of the objective world. Especially, it is common to see that animals are so closed to our daily life. As a result, there is no lack of national common animal metaphors in English and Chinese idioms.

There are a lot of idioms in both English and Chinese, but it is indispensable to apply idioms in our daily life. Moreover, animals can be found everywhere, which are inextricably linked with our life. Consequently, many English and Chinese idioms are derived from the animals’ habits and nature. Languages, a necessary part of our society, will be undoubtedly affected by our society. It is often tough to use animal idioms properly due to various qualities.

4.1 The Same Animal with the Same Meaning

Whether in English or Chinese culture, people hold the same viewpoint of most animals’ living habits and nature.

Both English and Chinese people admire horses. Horses are the symbols of hardworking and boldness. Most of the expressions of horse are of honorific sense. Here are some Chinese idioms：路遥知马力，日久见人心( As distance tests a horse’s strength, so time reveals a person’s heart ); 勿摆架子( Don’t ride the high horse.); 馈赠之马，勿看牙口( Don’t look a gift horse in the mouse); 知人善任( horses for courses ). In English, there are some idioms as follows: Hair by hair you will pull out the horse’s tail.( 水滴石穿 ); Lock the barn door after the horse is stolen ( 亡羊补牢 ); A dark horse ( 黑马，形容实力难测的竞争者 ); All lay road on the willing horse ( 人善被人欺，马善被人骑); Work like a horse ( 辛苦的干活儿 ); Don’t put the cart before the horse ( 处理问题不能本末倒置 ); It is useless to flog a dead horse ( 鞭打死马，徒劳无益 ).

In English and Chinese, foxes stand for craftiness and sinisterness. Here are some Chinese idioms about foxes: 狐群狗党( a bunch of rascals ); 狐狸活到老，永远难变好( The fox may grow gray, but never good. ); 黄鼠狼给鸡拜年没安好心; 狐假虎威；狐狸看鸡，越看越稀. There also such English idioms, for instance: an old fox ( 老狐狸精 ); fox’s sleep ( 假装漠不关心 ); the fox prays farthest from his hole ( 狐狸捕食，远离洞府 ); crazy like a fox ( 聪明，不容易上当 ).

In English and Chinese animal idioms, many other animals are given the same meanings. Such as birds, which often represent the odd and unusual. ( an old bird: 老混蛋; a queer bird: 奇人; 鸟尽弓藏；惊弓之鸟；一丘之貉 ); chickens standing for cowardly and incapable.( a chicken guy: 胆小鬼；a chicken hearted slob: 胆小如鼠的笨蛋；鸡犬不宁；鸡毛蒜皮；鸡犬升天 ) and so on.

Above all, we can find some similarities between English and Chinese animal idioms. However, Chinese animal idioms are not entirely similar to the English animal idioms. There are still more differences between them. They play their own important role in our languages.

4.2 The Same Animal with Different Meanings

In English and Chinese, there still have the same animal with different meanings. According to their impressions and connections under different cultural backgrounds, people demonstrate their likes and dislikes in using animal idioms. Some animals, like dogs, are popular in English but disgusted in China.

In China, dogs are generally connected with unpleasantness. Phrases with dogs are used as disparaging terms. If someone is called a dog, he is chided. Dogs would be connected with the disgusting things in our minds. Therefore, in Chinese, ‘dogs’ are mostly related to contain derogatory idioms, such as痛打落水狗( to beat a drowning dog; to attack someone already down in his luck ); 狗仗人势( like a dog threatening people on the strength of its master"s power -- be a bully under the protection of a powerful person ); 狗嘴里吐不出象牙( what can you expect from a dog but a bark ); 狗咬吕洞宾，不识好人心( bite the hand that feed it); 丧家的狗( describing some is homeless ). These can show that Chinese people are extremely annoying dog clearly, so there is no intention to praise dogs. What’s worth being pointed out is that dogs were not always hated by humans in ancient times. After the establishment of Han dynasty, it was not embarrassed that LiuBang, the first emperor of Han dynasty in Chinese history, called his military officers“忠狗”, which meant infinitely faithful inferiors. However, with the progress of history, people add all kinds of evil meanings to dogs. But we can’t say that dogs play the role of scapegoats for human beings. All in all, in traditional Chinese culture, dogs were kept because of easy availability, but not making good partners in general, thus they were related to evil instead of love.

However, as is known to all, the Western people love dogs. In their supermarket, dog food can be gotten everywhere. And each family has a dog house. Even there are so many costly books that consume several tens of dollars written to explain how to feed dogs, while mothers in China are reading about“how to raise your baby”. For Westerners, dogs can not only be gatekeepers or hunters, but also can be regarded as human’s pets, friends or partners. So Westerners feel compassion for dogs are extremely emotional. Some English idioms are related to dogs with no negative connotation. During the French Revolution, Ms. Luo Lan celebrity well-known saying: “The more I observe, I will be dog lovers.” Visible "dogs" in the values of the West is a well-loved animal, which symbolize faith. In English, the words of dogs are provided with more laudatory sense, both Love me, love my dog ( 爱屋及乌 ); a top dog ( the winner, about the overall situation of people); a lucky dog ( 幸运儿 ); every dog has his day ( 凡人皆有得意日 ); a water dog (good water-based); to help a lame dog over a stile (to help others in embarrassing) to reveal the truth; as a dog with two tails ( 非常开心 ); More better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.( Liu Yueqin 24 ). However, because of impacts of other cultures, dogs are endowed with derogatory connotation. For instance, we can use “a sad dog” to describe someone who is roguish or “a sly dog(奸贼)” for someone who is crafty and dishonesty.

4.3 Different Animals with the Same Meanings

Equally, in English and Chinese animal idioms, there are some different animals with the same meanings.

In the Western culture, the lion is the king of the beast. They enjoy high prestige. Hence, we can see these idioms: regal as a lion( 狮子般威严 ) or majestic as a lion( 狮子般雄伟 ).

In our Chinese culture, we regard the tiger, as the king. They represent power and fierceness. However, the characteristics related with the tiger in Chinese culture are comprised of two aspects: being positive and negative. On the positive side, it shows courage and energy, for example, “如虎添翼”、“生龙活虎”. On the negative side, it represents ferocity and murderousness, such as lion in a way( 拦路虎 ) or don’t beard the lion( 老虎屁股摸不得 ). ( Deng Yanchang，Liu Runqing 53 ).

5. Reasons for Differences between the English and Chinese Animal Idioms

Language is part of culture. And culture is originated from our social life. Animal idioms are not only a social language phenomenon but also a cultural phenomenon. Animal idioms are collected in the long history. So they are deeply reflected by history, living environment and religious beliefs.

5.1 History and Culture

The history of social development has a tremendous impact on language. With the passage of time, language has been changing. In the history of language development, historical and cultural traces remain in some idioms. Consequently, the formation of idioms has the brands of their nation’s development.

In English and Chinese, many idioms come from historical events. These idioms reflect the history of China and the Western countries. Historically, England has been invaded by several nations. Therefore, most English idioms concerning animals come from the Roman and the Greek mythology, such as “cry wolf”,” dog in manners”, and “kill the goose that lays the golden eggs”. What’s more, the Achaeans, the ancient Romans and the Jutes have somehow influenced the culture of England. Some animal idioms can be proved. Rains cats and dog ( 下倾盆大雨 ). Dogs represent winds. Cats represent rains. So cats and dogs symbolize a heady tempest. Some English allusions idioms from the Bible，such as dove of peace ( 和平鸽 )；pharaoh’s fat cow ( it means auspiciousness ); worship the golden calf (it means someone abandon his principle for material interests ); the scapegoat ( 替罪羊 ); separate the sheep from goats (分清良莠，区分善恶).

At the same time, our Chinese idioms are equipped with the traces of the national development, including the politics. Paper tiger(纸老虎) comes from the quotation of Mao Zedong, ”All the imperialisms and reactionaries are paper tigers.”

Idioms from historic culture are the jewels of human culture heritage. There are lots of idioms coming from the historical allusion, whic is the best way to reflect the features of different historical cultures. In China, many animal idioms come from legendary stories, fables or myths. For example, 守株待兔; 指鹿为马; 闻鸡起舞; 叶公好龙; 塞翁失马,焉知非福; 画蛇添足; 画龙点睛; 精卫填海. Only when you know the history and culture very well, can you understand these idioms.

5.2 Living Environment

Culture is formed on the basis of nature and human. So the natural difference is a vital reason for different cultures between English and Chinese. Owing to the different living environment, the experiences of living are diverse. Various idioms came into being, which are provided with national features.

The generations of idioms are closely to people"s living environment and geographical features. China is located in the east of Asia. Although there is a long coastline, most parts are in inland. Since the ancient times, China has been a large country based on agriculture, which has played a dominant role in the long history. The ancient people fought for their own land for thousands of years. Even in today’s society, Chinese people also treat lands so seriously, which can be seen through the increasingly higher price of housing. Thus, many idioms about lands, such as “挥金如土”. At the same, oxes are very important farming tools, which are closely linked with the life of farmers. Hereby, many idioms are associated with oxes. For instances, “牛刀小试”、”牛头不对马嘴”、”风马牛不相及”. However, Chinese used cow a lot but English men used horses instead. So“吹牛”means the same meaning as ‘talk horse’.

On the contrary, UK is an island country surrounded by sea. The British people love sailing. And they satisfy their demands by sailing. They may say “ spend money like water”. Owing to the great relationship with ocean and water of their lives, the fishery has been developed. Fishes play a decisive role in their life. Lots of idioms are concerned with fishes. For example, big fish( 大亨 ); Go to the sea, if you would fish well.( 不入虎穴焉得虎子 ); drink like a fish( 像鱼一样豪饮 ); Never offer to teach fish to swim.( 不要班门弄斧 ).

5.3 Religious Beliefs

Religion is a type of spiritual phenomenon and the expression of different cultures. For the westerners, they almost believe that world was built by God. People believe in Christianity. They think God dominates everything in the world. Therefore, religion means a belief in God who is the commander of duty and a judge of punishment. In UK, the Bible is a vital part of their culture from which are formed it. We can see many animal idioms from it: Can the leopard change its spots? ( it suggests that it’s hard to change one’s nature ); a little bird told me ( it means news spread like wildfire ); locust and wild honey ( 蝗虫和野蜜 )；sheep that have no shepherd ( it means that a group of man in a common cause without a leader ). In China, Buddhism has a history of more than one thousand years. A lot of persons are Buddhists. They believe that Buddha exists in the world, blessing them. A lot of animal idioms are related to this. Oxen symbolize noble-animals in Buddhism. The moral slogan of Buddha uses “ 人中牛王 ” to praise the moral integrity of Buddha; in the Buddhist scriptures, horses often shows the thought of people, such as “ 心猿意马 ”.

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