摘要

不同文化背景的人们在进行跨文化交际和跨文化商务谈判时都回避不了文化差异问题。中西方文化上的诸多差异导致了两种文化中禁忌语的差异。想要顺利的进行跨文化交际就必须了解中西方语言的禁忌。本文试图就中西方禁忌语的相同点和相异点进行对比，使人们更好地了解中西方禁忌语，从而更好地进行跨文化交际活动。
关键词：跨文化；禁忌语；文化异同
 
Abstract

People of different cultural backgrounds couldn’t avoid cultural differences in cross-cultural communication and business negotiations. The cultural differences between Chinese and western lead to the differences of taboo language. Understanding these differences plays an important role in cross-cultural communication. In this paper we will discuss the differences and similarities of taboo language between western and Chinese countries and make people have a better understanding of taboo language in Chinese and western cultures, thus we will have a better intercultural communication.
Key words:  culture differences; taboo language; cross-cultural communication

1．Introduction
Language is carrier of culture, also is a part of culture. In language, taboo language of English and Chinese have similarities and differences, of which English learners may have great benefit if they are aware of during intercultural communication.
Taboo language as a special kind of language is quite important in the practical communication. Because Chinese and western culture have different history and cultural background, the range of taboo language is also having different presentations, and so people would call language is a mirror of national culture. In the face of the development of modern science and technology and globalization challenges, how to cultivate cross-cultural awareness or improve the ability of cross-cultural communication are urgent needs to solve the problem today. Especially since China accession to the WTO, we should let China know the world; the world also should know China. The purpose for our learning the differences and similarities of taboo will enhance our ability of cross-cultural communication.

1.1. Definition of taboo.
In language communication, there are some words which can not be said directly. If someone wants to speak out it, they will cause person anger and disgust, and that is what linguistic taboo language. Taboo is a common phenomenon in human life; it reflects the different cultural characteristics.