Abstract

This paper analyzes the similarities and differences of the connotative meaning of color terms between English and Chinese and the causes of the similarities and differences through listing several representative color terms. Based on the analysis of the similarities and differences, the paper introduces several methods in the translation of color terms.

Key words: connotative meaning, color term, language and culture, similarity and difference

摘要

本文以语言和文化的关系为基础，分析了汉语和英语中具有代表性的颜色词的文化内涵的异同及其产生的原因，同时又探讨了颜色词汇在英汉互译中的处理方式。

关键词：文化内涵，颜色词汇， 语言和文化，异同

1. Introduction
1.1 Language and culture   
Language plays an indispensable part in social life. However, it is so mysterious that mankind has not yet fully understood it. Language helps people to communicate with each other and express their feelings so that it can reflect the real life. Generally speaking, culture, a social phenomenon, has a long history, and it is a historical phenomenon and the accumulation of society.
Culture is a way of local people's life including the history, customs, traditions, lifestyle and also language. In a word, language is closely related to culture and reflects people's attitudes, knowledge and beliefs. Language reflects the characteristics of a nation and it not only includes the nation's historical and cultural background, but also bears the national outlook of life, life style and ways of thinking.
    Language is the carrier and mapping of culture because culture is passed from one generation to another generation by means of language. Culture determines the language to some degree. The similarities between eastern and western culture make it possible for us to communicate with each other, but the differences affect the communication. Some sociologists believe that language is the cornerstone of culture. As a result, without language, there is no culture. Language is varied and culture is diverse. "Language is a mirror, in front of which culture is reflected."To sum up, different cultural features produce different linguistic features.