A Comparison of Cultural Connotations of Plant Words
In English and Chinese
Abstract: This paper first explores the theoretical foundation that is related to cultural connotations. It then tells the similarities and differences of the cultural connotations between English and Chinese plant words in detail. Also the factors that influence the similarities and differences will be mentioned. After that it focuses on the poetic images of plant words and explains the cultural characteristics of plant images in English and Chinese. It finally discusses the application tendency of plant words in two languages. The methods used are comparative analysis, induction and reference of previous studies. Through the study of plant words, we may have a further understanding of them and it may promote the communication of two nations. In a word, plant words with different and similar cultural connotations in English and Chinese are universal and the convergent inclination will be possible in the two languages.
Key words：comparison; plant words; cultural connotation
Abstract iii
摘要 iii
Outline iv
提纲 v
1. Introduction 1
2. Theoretical foundation 2
2.1 The definition of cultural connotation 2
2.2 The character of plant words 2
2.3 The function of plant words 3
3. Cultural connotations of plant words in English and Chinese 4
3.1 Plant words with similar cultural connotations in English and Chinese 4
3.2 Plant words with different cultural connotations in English and Chinese 4
3.3 Factors which influence the similarities and differences 5
3.3.1Cultural concept 5
3.3.2 Historical transition 5
3.3.3 Social custom 6
3.3.4 Religious belief 6
4. The Poetic images of plant words in English and Chinese 6
4.1 Typical plant images with similar cultural connotations in English and Chinese 6
4.2 Typical plant images with different cultural connotations in English and Chinese 8
4.3 Comparison of the cultural characteristic of plant images in English and Chinese 9
4.3.1 Comparison of the combination of “meaning” and “image” 9
4.3.2 Comparison of the “Truth” in art 10
5. The Application tendency of plant words in English and Chinese 10
5.1 Convergent inclination 10
5.2 Factors that influence the convergent inclination 11
5.2.1 Open mind 11
5.2.2 New thinking 11
5.2.3 Globalization 11
6. Conclusion 11
Works sited 13
