A Study of Cultural Causes for the Differences Between Chinese and English Idioms_英语论文

摘要

习语是语言中最为重要的部分，是语言在发展及使用过程中积累下来的一些独特的固定的表达方式，是经过人们长时间的使用而提炼出来的固定短语或短句。英汉两种语言都有着悠久的历史，拥有大量的习语，这些习语多数都承载着不同的民族文化特色和文化信息，反映了英汉两国在地理环境、生活习惯、思考方式、宗教信仰、历史文化等方面的差异。

随着时代和经济的发展，国内外的来往越来越密切，跨文化交流也更加深入。中英习语存在的文化差异对中英跨文化交流造成一定的障碍。本论文探讨了中英习语文化差异的成因，该研究成果分析了产生差异的四个方面的原因，即地理 、历史、宗教和习俗，将有助于消除跨文化交际中的因习语的理解所造成的障碍。

本文由三个部分构成。第一部分，对习语和文化的关系进行分析。第二部分阐述了中英习语的差异以及分析了产生差异的原因。第三部分是对全文的总结。

关键词：语言；习语；文化差异

Abstract

Idioms are the essence of a language and play an important role in a language. Language is closely related to culture. China and Britain both have a long history, so their cultures are quiet different. There are a lot of idioms in these two languages. Most of them carry different cultural connotations.

The present thesis starts with a brief exposition of the relationship between idioms and culture, which followed by a comparative study of the differences between English and Chinese idioms. Study shows that there are differences in forms and sources. Last but not least, researches about the causes for the differences between Chinese and English idioms are carried out. The results of the researches show that  geography, history, religion and customs have a great influence on the formation of English and Chinese idioms, and the development of idioms are closely related to the development of culture. 

It is significant to study the differences between English and Chinese idioms, which can help us to have a better understanding of Chinese and English culture.

Key words: Language; idioms; cultural difference

Contents

1. Introduction.1

2. Demonstration.2

2.1 Culture and idioms.2

2.1.1 Culture.2

2.1.2 Idioms2

2.1.3 The relationship between culture and idioms3

2.2 Differences between English and Chinese idioms.3

2.3 Causes of the differences between English and Chinese idioms5

2.3.1 Geography.5

2.3.2 History.6

2.3.3 Religion.7

2.3.4 Custom8

3. Conclusion.9

Works Cited10

Bibliography.11