On the Cultural Connotations and Translation of the Color Words in English and Chinese
Abstract
The nature is multicolored, so various nationalities have formed each unique color view in precipitated long-term history, refracting out gorgeous national culture. Because of different cultural issues, cultural tradition and culture psychology, the cultural connotations of the English and Chinese color words differ greatly. As a result, these particular cultural connotation meanings are cast under different environments by different nationalities.
There are a lot of similarities and differences on the meaning between English and Chinese color words. In analyzing the reason why the difference produces, this paper puts forward the idea of overcoming the obstacle resulted from the difference, which has certain directive significance in smoothly carrying on cross-cultural communication and English-Chinese bilingual translation.
This paper contrasts the translation embodiment to analyze a considerable amount of color words, which has summarized the law of translating and explained the importance of deeply understanding of cultural connotation about color words in translating practice. While in dealing with the process of studying English, we should be appropriate to understand different culture backgrounds, folkways, customs, geographical backgrounds and history in both English and Chinese languages, aiming at promoting the harmony of cross-cultural communication.
Key Words: color words; cultural connotations; translation
On the Cultural Connotations and Translation of the Color Words in English and Chinese
Outline
Thesis Statement: Every word records people's understanding of objective world. As a group of special vocabulary colonies, the color word is no exception, directly or indirectly bearing the weight of various and colorful cultural connotation of varied nationalities and containing strong national cultural traditions, social local conditions and customs, etc.
I. Introduction: Terms of color make up a group of words that are particularly rich in cultural associations
II. The Definition of Color Words
A. The Classification of Color Words
B. The Structures of Color Words
1. The Structure of Similar Color Words
2. The Structure of Dissimilar Color Words
III. The Similarities and Differences of Color Words between English and Chinese
A. Similarities of Color Words
B. Differences of Color Words
1. The Meaning Gap
2. Color Words and Associative Meaning
IV. Translating Methods of English and Chinese Color Words
A. Translation on Colors with Basically Corresponding Words
B. Translation on Colors with Many Kinds of Corresponding Words
C. Translation on Colors with Misplacing Corresponding Words
D. Defaulting in Translation of English and Chinese Color Words
V. The Information Supplemented on Translating English and Chinese Color Words
A. Adding Information and Supplements to Literal Translation While Translating Chinese-English
B. Adding Information and Supplements to Literal Translation While Translating English- Chinese
VI. Conclusion
