A Brief Study of the Extended Meanings of Color Words in Chinese and English
Abstract
Scientific research indicates that seven million kinds of colors can be found in the world. However, color expressions are only limited to several hundreds in classification. People's actual life is closely related to color. There are many color expressions, which reflect different cultures and traditions of China and the West. Theoretically speaking, color is a kind of visual effect, and we humankind have the same physiological mechanism and vision nerve, the color words are also the same in essence. Nevertheless, because of various language cultures, historical backgrounds, religious beliefs, modes of thinking, aesthetic temperaments and interests, etc. in different nationalities, people's impression of color words and expressions are different, and the associated meanings produced by color words have something different from each other. There are many different and various color words and expressions in English and Chinese. Sometimes it is difficult to find equivalent expression in one language. This brings a great obstacle for the cultural exchange between China and the West. So it is meaningful to understand the diversely extended meanings of color words.
Key words: color Words; cultural difference; symbolic meaning
Extended Meanings of Color Words in Chinese and English
Outline
Thesis Statement: Under the influence of Chinese and Western Culture, the symbolic meanings of Chinese and English color words have their similarities and differences.
Ⅰ. Introduction
Ⅱ. The Symbolic Meanings of Some Chinese and English Color Words
Red
White
Black
Yellow
Ⅲ. The Imbalance between Chinese and English Color Words in Meanings
The Non-correspondence in “Chinese to English Translation” of Color Words
The Non-correspondence in “English to Chinese Translation” of Color Words
Ⅳ. The Unity of Meanings of Color Words in Chinese and English
Ⅴ. Conclusion
