论动物隐喻在中西文化中的差异_英语论文

Cultural Difference in Animal Metaphors in Chinese and English

摘要

在英汉两种语言中，有许多的动物隐喻。它们不仅有表面的基本意义，还有深层的引申意义和象征意义。在不同的文化中，由于文学因素，宗教，思维模式和价值观的影响，动物隐喻有着不同的引申义。没有文化背景的支撑，人们在日常交流中便可能会出现语用失误。本文以动物隐喻和文化差异的各种研究为基础，旨在为人们提出一些关于规避在日常交流中由于动物隐喻引起的语用失误的建议。

关键词：动物隐喻；文化差异；引申义；语用失误 

Abstract

In both Chinese and English, there are a lot of animal metaphors. They usually not only have basic meanings but also have deep connotations and symbolic meanings. In different culture, animal metaphors have different connotations and symbolic meanings which are caused by literary factors, religion, mode of thinking and values. Without the cultural backgrounds, people will face the pragmatic failures in daily communication. This thesis, from the studies of animal metaphors and cultural differences, tries to throw out some suggestions which can help people avoid the pragmatic failures caused by animal metaphors in daily communication.

Keywords: animal metaphors; cultural difference; connotation; pragmatic failures

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

3. Comparative Study on Animal Metaphors in Chinese and English 2

3.1 Same animal metaphors with different cultural connotations 3

3.2 Different animal metaphors with similar cultural connotations 4

4. Reasons for Cultural Differences in Animal Metaphors 5

4.1 Literary factors 5

4.2 Religion 6

4.3 Mode of thinking 6

4.4 Values 7

5. Suggestions to Avoid Pragmatic Failures Caused by Cultural Differences in Animal Metaphors 7

5.1 Improve intercultural awareness 8

5.2 Develop the ability of intercultural communication 9

5.3 Establish a tolerant attitude to different culture 10

6. Conclusion 11

Works Cited 13