Abstract and Key Words

Abstract: Kinship Terms are not only a part of language but also a kind of culture. The difference between English and Chinese kinship terms reflects the cultural differences between West and East. This thesis will mainly discuss about the similarities and differences of kinship terms in both cultures. There is something in common such as their source (lineal blood kinship, collateral blood kinship and affinal kinship) and generation. However, the differences roughly lie in four aspects: the age, sex, category and paternal and maternal relations. It is concluded that the differences between Chinese and English kinship terms are mainly generated from their cultural differences, i.e. different social systems, economy types, core value and family structures.

Key words: kinship terms; cultural difference; cross-cultural communication

摘要：亲属称谓不仅仅是一种语言现象，而且还是一种的文化现象。中英亲属称谓的差异映射了中西方之间文化的差异。本文主要讨论了中西文化视角下的亲属称谓语的相同点及不同点。中西亲属称谓语就其来源即直系血亲、旁系血亲和姻亲，以及在辈分方面存在一定的相似之处，而其不同点又分别体现在年龄、性别、分类及父系母系关系等四个方面。通过研究得出结论，造成中西亲属称谓语的差异的主要因素根源于中西文化的不同，即社会结构、经济形式、核心价值观及家庭生活方式等方面的差异。

关键词：亲属称谓语;文化差异;跨文化交流

1.    Introduction
Kinship terms are a group of names which are based on lineal or affinal relationship and show the relationship between one and his or her kins. According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary, kin refers to one’s family and relatives. The way we address people attaches great influences to most cultures. It has been generally known that kinship terms are culture-specific. Chinese and English kinship terms are similar in some sense and also different in another, as is the case between English and Chinese culture. This thesis will mainly discuss about the similarities and differences between them. Kinship terms reflect the implied cultural connotation profoundly. The research on kinship terms shows that there are great differences existing between different cultures, especially between western culture and Chinese culture.
The present thesis attempts to conduct a brief outline of the formation and development in Chinese and English kinship terms system. By a comparative study of similarities and differences between English and Chinese kinship term system, it will benefit us to get a better understanding of their histories and cultures. What’s more, it also helps us to know well about the relationship between language and culture.