Abstract
Idioms include phrases, slangs, colloquialism and proverbs. Idioms may be humorous, or serious, elegant, not only concise and comprehensive, but also vivid and interesting. As the crystallization of human wisdom, idioms reflect the outstanding cultural histories and cultural characteristics. Idioms are regarded as the essence of national language. English and Chinese are abundant in idioms, which mirror the well-established, broad and profound culture of the East and the West. Therefore, to compare the idioms between Chinese and English culture would be much meaningful and it can help us know two nations better and deeper.
Through the comparative study between Chinese and English Idioms, it can be seen there are both similarities and differences in Chinese and English idioms. This thesis not only studies the cultural connotation of idioms, but also conducts a comparison of the influence factors of idioms in detail.
The general organization of this thesis will be developed along the following line. The first chapter is overview of idioms in Eastern and Western culture. Introduce the definitions of idiom and culture, relationship between idiom and culture. The second chapter makes a comparison of idioms between English and Chinese culture. Analyze the similarities and dissimilarities of idioms between Chinese and English culture. The third chapter makes a comparison of factors influenced the Chinese and English culture, including geographical environment, historical development, religious belief, custom. The forth chapter is a conclusion.
Keywords Idioms Chinese culture English culture comparison
Contents
Abstract 1
Contents 2
Introduction 3
1. Overview of Idioms in Eastern and Western Culture 4
1.1 Definition of idiom 4
1.2 Definition of culture 4
1.3 Relationship between idioms and culture 5
2. A Comparison of idioms between Chinese and English Culture 7
2.1 The similarities of idioms between Chinese and English culture 7
2.1.1 The similar natural characteristics 7
2.1.2 The similar grammatical characteristics 7
2.1.3 The similar rhetorical devices 8
2.2 The dissimilarities of idioms between Chinese and English culture 8
2.2.1 Dissimilar geographical environment 9
2.2.2 Dissimilar aesthetic consciousness 9
2.2.3 Dissimilar religious belief 10
2.2.4 Dissimilar custom 10
3. A comparison of factors influenced the Chinese and English culture 12
3.1 Geographical environment 12
3.2 Historical development 12
3.3 Religious belief 13
3.4 Custom 13
4. Conclusion. 14
References 15
