Abstract

As one of the most essential and influential sources of Western culture, Greek and Roman myths exert enormous influence on the English language, especially on English idioms. Idioms from Greek and Roman myths are widely used in western people's daily life, mainly in the area of politics, economics, literature and art. They have become an integral part of the way of thinking of the western people. English idioms always carry their own explanation in specific context, thus leaving the English learners in a state of confusion because they are unaware of the real meaning of those idioms.
This paper attempts to grammatically classify those idioms from the Greek and Roman myths and discuss how Greek and Roman myths were applied in the English language, especially English idioms. English idioms also convey the cultural values of western people. Thus this paper will also analyze the cultural values behind those idioms. Through those idioms, we can dig out the western culture’s essence so as to get the whole picture of the western society. The impact of Greek and Roman myths on English idioms will be analyzed through specific examples so that the readers can have a better understanding of the analyses.
This paper aims to help English fans and those who manage foreign affairs learn about the cultural connotation of English idioms, thus strengthening their cross-cultural communication competence, and enhancing their cultural awareness. It will be favorable for readers to better understand the western culture and the way in which western people think.

Keywords: language; culture; Greek and Roman myths; idioms

摘要

希腊罗马神话作为西方文化的一个源头，以其自身的魅力影响着英语语言,特别是英语习语。希腊罗马神话典故在西方人的日常生活、政治、经济、文艺等方面被广泛使用，并成为英美人神话思维的重要组成部分。英语习语在具体的语境中表达特殊的含义。因此，许多英语学习者都感到很困惑，不理解那些英语习语的真正含义。
本文将从语法角度对源于希腊罗马神话的习语进行归类分析，并具体地探讨希腊罗马神话如何运用于英语语言，特别是英语习语。英语习语也传达了西方人的文化价值观，因此本文还将探讨这些习语背后隐藏的文化价值观。通过研究来发掘西方文化的精髓，以便我们全面了解西方社会。本文将结合古希腊罗马神话的实例，具体分析古希腊罗马神话对英语习语的影响，让读者获得更深刻的理解。
希望通过此研究帮助广大的英语爱好者或从事涉外工作的人更充分地了解源于希腊罗马神话的英语习语的文化内涵，提高跨文化交际能力，增强文化认知能力，从而使读者更好地理解西方文化以及西方人的思维模式。

关键词：语言；文化；希腊罗马神话；习语