Color Words with Their Emotional Functions
in English and Chinese
Abstract: This thesis probes basic color words in English and Chinese. It proves that those color words have strong emotional functions, that is, they help language users to express their emotions. It shows why color words are favorite choices for expressing feelings. Further, since people in different cultures use color words differently, It reveals how cultural factors influence the use of those words from the perspective of cultural similarities and differences. The thesis tries to explore color terms from three aspects of daily use of those terms, theories and cultural factors, which can be rarely found in previous studies.
Key words: color words, emotional functions, cultural factors
中英文中颜色词语与情感作用
摘 要 本文主要通过对中英文基本颜色词包括红、黄、绿、蓝、黑和白的描写，发掘其中的感情特点及功能；通过相关理论阐述人们如何在长期的生活和实践过程中获得颜色词，如何借颜色的特点表达他们的感情；通过中西文化对比，从生活方式、历史及文化传统、宗教及政治影响和认知方式等方面揭示汉语民族和英语民族借颜色表达感情的异同以及文化对颜色词表达感情的影响。
关 键 词 颜色词；情感功能；文化因素
Contents
Abstract 1
摘 要 1
1 Introduction 3
1.1 Literature review 3
1.2 Revelations 3
2 Color terms and their emotional functions in English and Chinese 4
2.1 RED 4
2.2 GREEN 5
2.3 WHITE 6
2.4 BLACK 7
2.5 YELLOW 8
2.6 BLUE 9
3 Acquisition of colors terms 9
3.1 The definition of thought 9
3.2 Relationship between color terms and thought 10
3.3 Acquisition of color terms 11
3.4 Similarities and differences in acquisition of color terms 12
3.4.1 Similarities in the acquisition of color terms 12
3.4.2 Differences in the acquisition of color terms 13
4 Cultural Factors in English and Chinese Color Terms 14
4.1 The definition of culture 14
4.2 The impact of ways of life on color terms 15
4.3 The impact of historical and literary traditions on color terms 15
4.4 The impact of religion and politics on color terms 17
4.5 The impact of perception on color terms 18
5 Conclusions 19
References: 19
Acknowledgements 20
