Analysis on the Cultural Connotation of English and Chinese Names_英语论文

摘要

姓名，是人类特有的代号，伴随着我们走过漫长的一生。同时，它作为文化的一种载体和文化的镜像，对文化内涵的反映起着重要作用。如汉语姓名可以反映中国的崇儒思想、封建等级观念等，英语姓名则可以反映英语国家的民主思想、宗教信仰、个人主义取向等。而英汉姓名也有一些共同的地方，例如，图腾崇拜，寻根意识，性别差异等等。此外，姓名还可以反映时代特征，如历史上发生的一些重大事件等在姓名上也会有鲜明印记。

通过对中英姓名的文化内涵分析，我们可以了解这两个民族的一些文化上的差异和共同点，这对两国的跨文化交际具有重大意义。本文从分析中英姓名文化内涵的差异性入手，采用英语翻译方法，论证了两种不同文化背景下对姓名的不同理解和翻译。

值得注意的是，本文提及的汉语姓名特指的是中国汉民族人民的姓名，而不包括少数民族的姓名，英语姓名则主要指说英语国家人民的姓名，尤以英格兰民族为代表。

关键词：中文名 英文名 文化内涵 比较 翻译方法

Abstract

Name is the special code of human beings, which accompanies us from the cradle to the grave. As a carrier and mirror of culture, name plays an important role in reflecting cultural connotation. For example, Confucianism, sense of hierarchy can be found in Chinese names, while the sense of democracy, religion and individual orientation are reflected in English names. And Chinese names and English names also have something in common, such as the Totemism, consciousness of root-seeking, sex difference of culture and so on. Additionally, names can reflect history and epochal character as well. For instance, some important events may have an effect on names.

Through analyzing English and Chinese names, we can learn something about the difference and common of the two nations, which is of great significance in cross-culture communication between English and Chinese nations. This paper starts with the analysis on the cultural connotation of English and Chinese names, adopting the translation methods, demonstrating my personal understanding of the two forms of names as well as its translation methods under the different backgrounds of language and culture.

What is noteworthy is that “Chinese names” mentioned in this paper refer in particular to the names of Chinese Han people, not including the names of minority, and “English names” mainly indicate the names of English speaking countries’ people, especially the English people.

Key Words: Chinese Names; English Names; Cultural Connotation; Comparison; Translation Method 

Contents

1  Introduction 1

1.1 Relationship between Names and Culture 1

1.2 Literature Review 1

1.3 The Different Forms of English and Chinese Names 2

2  The Origins and Developments of English and Chinese Names 3

2.1 Comparison of the Origins of English and Chinese Family Names 3

2.1.1 The Origins of English Family Names 3

2.1.2 The Origins of Chinese Family Names 3

2.2 Comparison of the Developments of English and Chinese Given Names 4

2.2.1 The Developments of English Given Names 4

2.2.2 The Developments of Chinese Given Names 4

3  Cultural Connotation of English and Chinese Names 6

3.1 The Common Cultural Connotation of English and Chinese Names 6

3.1.1 Totemism 6

3.1.2 Worships of Names 7

3.1.3 Consciousness of Root-seeking 7

3.1.4 Psychological Suggestion 9

3.1.5 Sex Difference of Culture 9

3.2 The Difference of the Cultural Connotation of English and Chinese Names 10

3.2.1 Religion and Belief 10

3.2.2 Individualism Orientation and Group Orientation 11

3.2.3 Sense of Hierarchy and Sense of Democracy 12

3.2.4 History and Epochal Character 14

4  Translation Methods of English and Chinese Names 16

4.1 Names After the Original Owner 16

4.2 Follow the Laws of Convention 16

4.3 Transliteration 17

4.4 Others 18

5  Conclusion 19

Bibliography 20

Acknowledgements 21