Discussion about the Cultural and Semantic Difference of Col

Discussion about the Cultural and Semantic Difference of Color

Words Between Chinese and English

Introduction

Longtime ago ,we have found the big disparity when we use different colors to express our feelings in different situations.some people may feel puzzled when the

color may have different meaning.so through this topic i hope we could

have a clear understanding the difference between Chinese and english

culture as well as we can communicate with them effectively .So

when we make intercultural communication with foreign people,

we must know their exact way of using color words, or else we’ll

meet several inconvenience and embarrassment.

The body

different countries have different culture because of the pergences among

society, history, geography, nationality, literature art, religion,

convention etc, which result in the pergence of the

understanding and usage of color words between English and

Chinese .so the study of different color terms is an very

important to learn different cultures

Language embody the culture.

People respond to different colors in different ways, and these responses take place on a subconscious, emotional level.

In American culture, black has long been associated with death, while white is believed to signify life and purity. In the Orient, however, white is the traditional color of grief. , the same color may represent different meanings in both languages.for example the white in western culturesstand for love yurity while in chinese culture it present something unpleasant

?. A Brief Review of Color Words Used in Different Cultures

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People who is familiar with both English and Chinese cultures knows that in China, the color red symbolizes happy event. On Chinese traditional wedding, the bridegroom and bride both wear red clothes, however in western country people should wear white clothes on the wedding. In addition, in our culture, the color yellow symbolized a Son of Heaven and royalty and they wear yellow robes while western country’s royalty and exarch mainly wear purple.

A.Blue different meaning in differentculture

The word blue is used to describe the color of the sky and the ocean, both in English or Chinese, blue has an associated sense of quiet In the culture of English, blue has a lot of inferred meanings, addition to the meaning of pornographic or obscene which has been referred, blue also symbolizes the mood of cafard and depression, such as blue, be melancholy ,blue Monday, be dejected Monday. In English, blue can also denote the meaning of dignity, power and be born of noble, just like blue blood, be born of noble, blue a sigh of honor, win somebody’s blue, gain the glory. Here are some sentences to show blue. “He is proud of his blue blood.” blue here stands for noble. “Thing are looking extremely blue.” Blue means not good. It seems that blue is a favorable word to Chinese. The blue sky can arouse us to yearn for a better future. In Western culture, however, blue does not associate with happiness and imagination,

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but gloom and depression. He is in a blue mood means he is sad or gloomy. Blue is also often associated with high social status or being aristocratic. He is a real blue blood means he is from an aristocratic family. In addition, in U.S., a book with the names of famous figures, especially top government officials, is called blue book. Blue film means erotic film while in Chinese we call it yellow movie. Here are more examples: blue about the gills; in depression blue devils; depression and gloom once in a blue moon; not very often at all; blue in the face; look pasty blue murder; horrible screaming and shouts sing the blues: in low spirits; very depressed out of the blue: happening in a way that is sudden and unexpected. It seems that blue is a favorable word to Chinese: the blue sky, as often as not, can arouse us to yearn for s better future; the blue sea full of uncertainty induces boundless imagination. In western culture, however, blue does not with happiness and imagination, but gloom and depression. Blue is also often associated with high social status or being aristocratic.He is a real blue blood means he is from an aristocratic family.

B.Translation of “Red” between English and Chinese

Chinese people prefer red, and Chinese traditional culture agrees that it has something to do with marriage. Men and women were getting married if they were tied with red strings. So the one brought them together was respected as Hong Niang in ancient China, or match maker in English. “Hong n iang” was known as a maid of Cui Yingying, West Chamber, who helped build their relationship. Since then, “hong n iang” was accepted universally to describe a match maker, or someone or organization which actually serves as a bridge for something. Misunderstanding could happen when the westerners ignore our traditional culture, and take it for granted that “hong n iang” is just a girl in red. Similarly, “hong r en” shouldn’t be the red person, either. It refers to someone who is favored by somebody in power, or someone who is enjoying a thriving career. And “hong ju er” is a popular actor or actress. “h ong fen” and “h ong yan” were usually used to describe good-looking women in the past. Their

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possible translations are a beautiful girl and a gaily dressed girl. In Chinese aesthetics, Hong Lou, Hong ge refer to the bedr ooms of wealthy daughters, or a lady’s room. Even in Chinese Opera, heroes appear with red face, which proves that hong is auspicious in Chinese traditional culture.

Conclusion

From above we can see, the color words between English and Chinese culture have different degree of pergence. However, both of them have some degree of common in some certain aspect, but the most is collision yet. So we must pay more attention to understanding and translation between Chinese and English. Otherwise, we do not only make an ass of ourselves, but also result in the cultural collision. Although cultural symbolism may make convenient use of natural symbolism, it is a different process entirely, since, as can be seen in the case of red, psychological reactions to natural associations are evaluative and are learned. I believe that above-mentioned examples amply illustrate the point.

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