ABSTRACT
This paper first disserts the relationship and definitions of idioms, language and culture and classifies the English and Chinese idioms. Then this thesis studies animal idioms from tropism of thoughts on the level of Chinese culture which is represented by Confucianism and of English culture with the spirit of equality, freedom and individualism, etc. and explains the cultural differences from geographical, historical, religious and borrowed idioms aspects and the associated meanings embodied in idioms. At last, the function animal idioms perform in literary works will be discussed. It also points out that animal idioms and literary works motivate and supplement each other during the development of idioms. Meanwhile, it also raises that interpenetrating animal idioms and literature during studying and teaching English can help improving the communication ability of English learners, understanding Chinese and western culture, mastering the meaning and usage of idioms and enhancing the comprehension of English and Chinese literature.
Keywords：idioms; animal; literary works; intercultural study
Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Idioms, language and culture 2
2.1 The definition of culture 2
2.2 Language and culture 3
2.3 Definitions of English and Chinese idioms 3
2.4 The classifications of English and Chinese idioms 4
3. Literature review home and abroad 9
3.1 Idiom study abroad 9
3.2 Idiom study in China 10
4. Cultural connotations in English and Chinese animal idioms 12
4.1 Tropism of thoughts in English animal idioms 12
4.1.1 The spirit of equality and freedom 12
4.1.2 The spirit of individualism 12
4.1.3 The spirit of adventurism 13
4.2 Tropism of thoughts in Chinese animal idioms 14
4.2.1 The spirit of loyalty 14
4.2.2 The belief of luck and prosperity 14
4.2.3 The spirit of being sturdy and persistent 15
5. English and Chinese animal idioms in literature and their association meanings 16
5.1 Cultural difference of English and Chinese animal idioms in literature 16
5.1.1 Geographical cultural differences 16
5.1.2 Historical cultural differences 17
5.1.3 Religious cultural differences 18
5.1.4 Borrowed animal idioms 19
5.2 Association meanings 19
5.2.1 Similarities and identities in associations 19
5.2.2 Differences and contradictions in associations 21
5.3 The function of animal idioms in literary works 22
6. Conclusion 23
Acknowledgements 24
References 25
