实验一：物体密度

1、量角器的最小刻度是0.5.为了提高此量角器的精度，在量角器上附加一个角游标，使游标30个分度正好与量角器的29个分度的等弧长。求：（1、）该角游标的精度；（2、）如图读数

   答案：因为量角器的最小刻度为30’.游标30分度与量角器29 分度等弧长，所以游标精度为30/30=1，图示角度为149。45’

2、测定不规则的固体密度时，若被测物体浸入水中时表面吸附着水泡，则实验结果所得密度值是偏大还是偏小?为什么？

   答案：如果是通过观察水的体积的变化来测量不规则物体的体积,那么计算的密度会减小,因为质量可以测出,而吸附气泡又使测量的体积增大（加上了被压缩的气泡的体积）所以密度计算得出的密度减小

实验二：示波器的使用

 1、示波器有哪些组成部分？每部分的组成作用？

答案：电子示波器由Y偏转系统、X偏转系统、Z通道、示波管、幅度校正器、扫描时间校正器、电源几部分组成。
     Y偏转系统的作用是：检测被观察的信号，并将它无失真或失真很小地传输到示波管的垂直偏转极板上。
      X偏转系统的作用是：产生一个与时间呈线性关系的电压，并加到示波管的x偏转板上去，使电子射线沿水平方向线性地偏移，形成时间基线。
      Z通道的作用是：在时基发生器输出的正程时间内产生加亮信号加到示波管控制栅极上，使得示波管在扫描正程加亮光迹，在扫描回程使光迹消隐。
      示波管的作用是：将电信号转换成光信号，显示被测信号的波形。
      幅度校正器的作用是：用于校正Y通道灵敏度。
      扫描时间校正器的作用是：用于校正x轴时间标度，或用来检验扫描因数是否正确。
      电源的作用是：为示波器的各单元电路提供合适的工作电压和电流。

2、为什么在实验中很难得到稳住的李萨如图形，而往往只能得到重复变化的某一组李萨如图形？

   答案：因为在实验中很难保证X、Y轴的两个频率严格地整数倍关系,故李莎茹图形总是在不停旋转,当频率接近整数倍关系时,旋转速度较慢；

实验三：电位差计测量电动势

1、测量前为什么要定标？V0的物理意义是什么?定标后在测量Ex时，电阻箱为什么不能在调节? 

 答案：定标是因为是单位电阻的电压为恒定值，V0的物理意义是使实验有一个标准的低值，电阻箱不能动是因为如果动了电阻箱就会改变电压，从而影响整个实验；为了保持工作电流不变.设标准电压为En,标准电阻为Rn,则工作电流为I=En/Rn,保持工作电流不变,当测量外接电源时,调节精密电阻Ra,使得电流计示数为零,有E=I*Ra,若测试过程中调节了电位器Rc,则导致I产生变化,使测得的E不准（错误）

2、保护电阻是为了保护什么仪器？如何使用？

答案:保护电阻主要是保护与它串联的那些元件.
先将保护电阻调节的到最大,在保证电流不超过仪器的最大工作范围这个前提下,逐步降低到最小.

3、电位差计实验中标准电源器什么作用？使用时应注意什么问题？

答案：标准电源起到参考基准的作用,一般用标准电池,保护电阻不使得标准电池过放电.使用时保护电阻是串联的,观察指零仪时间要尽量短暂,避免长时间放电以免电压变化.
另外,电位差计也需要电源,如果有保护的话,那是防止过流损坏.

4、电位差机实验中如果电流计总是偏向一边而不能补偿，请分析一下故障有几种可能？如何检查和排除故障？

     答案： 电流调节盘RP断线，中心引出线脱开，短路；电键严重氧化，接触电阻变大；量程开关接触不好(多数是波段开关的静片变形或变位造成未接触上)；标准电池坏，电势低；工作电池容量不足，电压偏低；正负极接反了。

实验四： 拉伸

1、两根材料相同，但粗细、长度不同的金属丝，他们的弹性模量是否相同？

答案：相同
杨氏模量仅取决于材料本身的物理性质，与材料的粗细、长短无关。
杨氏模量表征固体材料抵抗形变的物理量，表征材料性质的物理量。杨氏模量的大小表征了材料的刚性，杨氏模量越大，越不容易发生形变。

2、光杠杆有什么优点？怎样提高光杠杆测量微小长度的灵敏度？

可以测量微小长度变化量。提高放大倍数即适当地增大标尺距离D或适当地减小光杠杆前后脚的垂直距离b，可以提高灵敏度，因为光杠杆的放大倍数为2D/b；增大反射镜与接手屏间的距离 同时缩短光杠杆脚的距离 但也不是灵敏度越高越好 因为灵敏度越高 试验系统的抗干扰能力会下降 

3、在实验中如果要求测量的相对不确定都不超过5%，试问金属丝的长度和直径应如何选取？标尺应距光杠杆的反射镜多远？

钢丝的长度最好选择略大于1米.但一般受立架高度所限,最长也只能选择0.5至0.8米.钢丝直径的选择,要看你用的砝码就是多少.常见的砝码为每个1Kg可用直径0.3至0.5mm的。

实验五：刚体

1、本实验产生误差的原因有哪些？

答案：主要误差来源：
1 、实验装置没有调整好（如旋盘没有调平）,系统各部分的中轴没有调重合；
2、 旋盘的摆角超过5°；
3 、计时误差大；
4、游标卡尺读数的误差
5、天平读数的偏差
6、底座不水平
7、挡光杆与光电探头有摩擦

（测定液体表面张力）

1吊环挂到力敏传感器的挂钩上时,为什么要保证吊环底面水平?

吊环如果不水平,在拉脱过程中,就可能出现有些位置已经脱离液面,而有些位置没有脱离,会造成测量误差.

2根据最小二乘法的拟合数据，计算b和r的公式是什么

b=ug平均值-g平均值*r平均值  /  g^2平均值-g平均值^2r=u平均值-b*g平均值

3.在液体表面张力系数实验的测量过程中怎样控制数字电压表的读数U1和U2的误差

1．吊环必须严格处理干净；
2．吊环水平须调节好，如果有偏差则会造成测量误差；
3．仪器开机需预热15分钟；
4．在旋转升降台时，尽量使液面的波动要小；
5．工作室不宜风大，以免吊环摆动，至使零点波动所测系数不正确；
6．注意手指不要接触被测液体。

 空气热机

1为什么P-V图的面积即等于热机在一次循环过程中将热能转为机械能的数值

P-V图其实是表示做功的图,T-S图示表示热量变化的图.
P-V图上用正循环曲线投影到V轴上的面积减去逆循环曲线投影到V轴上的面积,就得到了净功.

2空气热机转速过大为什么仪器要自动断电

根据当初设计转速来制订它的稳定性与寿命性，若转速过高影响稳定与寿命会带来安全隐患，所以有切断开关去控制，保持在理想转速中工作，保证其性能稳定和使用寿命

动态磁滞回线

1什么是磁滞现象

磁滞现象简称磁滞。 磁性体的磁化存在着明显的不可逆性，当铁磁体被磁化到饱和状态后，若将磁场强度(H)由最大值逐渐减小时，其磁感应强度（符号为B）不是循原来的途径返回，而是沿着比原来的途径稍高的一段曲线而减小，当H=0时，B并不等于零，即磁性体中B的变化滞后于H的变化，这种现象称磁滞现象。

2硬磁材料和软磁材料的磁滞回线有什么区别

软磁材料的特点是磁导率大，矫顽力小（Hc约为1A/m），因此磁滞回线呈细长状；
硬磁材料的特点是矫顽力大（Hc>100A/m），因此磁滞回线较宽，所围的面积较大。

迈克尔逊干涉

1点光源非定域干涉实验中两虚光源S1和S2的距离为M1和M2距离的两倍，为什么？

M2经半透镜M,在M1前出现虚像为M2'。M2'与M1间间距为d。虚像M2'同M1将对光源进行反射，反射后虚光源间距离为2d.

2结合实验观察中的现象，总结迈克尔逊干涉仪调节的要点

1在调整迈克尔逊干涉仪的时候，我们需要让镜面M1与M2平行，

2在测量Na光平均波长时，我们需要测量“吞吐”个周期之后的仪器示数，采取的纪录暗条纹周期的方法。

3在测量双线波长差的时候，需要记录条纹“模糊”时的示数。等到条纹已经比较模糊后先记录下数据然后继续旋转。如果模糊程度继续加大，则将新数据覆盖原有数据的方法。这样就保证了测出的“模糊”位置示数差较为恒定，得到的试验结果误差极小，在四舍五入之后与标准值完全一致。

普朗克常数

1.实验时能否将滤光片插到光源的光阑口上？为什么？

不能，因为如果光电管前没有滤光片的话，环境光当中其他频率的光也会进入到光电管当中。

2从截止电压和入射光频率的关系曲线能确定阴极材料的逸出功吗?

测在直角坐标系中坐出Us（截止电压）和v(频率）的关系曲线,实验表明曲线是一条直线,证明爱因斯坦光电效应方程的正确性.该直线的斜率即为h/e ,h为普朗克常量.而该直线的延长线与Us轴的截距为Ws/e,Ws为材料的逸出功.
因此,可以确定材料逸出功,只要用纵截距乘以单位电荷的电量即可.定普朗克常数能否从截止电压与入射光频率确定材料的逸出功

3测定普朗克常数的实验中有哪些误差来源？实验中如何减少误差？

暗电流与本底电流：可以采用系统误差的修正方法加以消除；

阳极反向电流：可以选择较小的光阑；

光源的单色性：可以选择一组高性能的滤色片；

光源与光电管接收装置之间的距离：在实验中选择合适的接受距离（一般是30cm)。

亥姆霍兹线

1．能否用稳恒磁场的安培环路定理计算亥姆霍兹线圈轴线上的磁感强度，为什么？

用稳恒磁场的安培环路定理计算亥姆霍兹线圈轴线上的磁感强度应该是不可以的。亥姆霍兹线圈的轴线上的磁感强度只有中间部分是均匀的，其他区域的磁感应强度的分布没有什么对称性，不能保证在一个闭合回路上磁场大小相等，方向和回路总是同向，所以不可以。

2．亥姆霍兹线圈是怎样组成的？它的磁场分布有什么特点？

亥姆霍兹线圈是一对彼此平行且连通的共轴圆形线圈,每一线圈N匝.两线圈内的电流方向一致,大小相同.

第二篇：l淮阴工学院-淮阴工学院

淮 阴 工 学 院

毕 业 论 文

作 者:

系 (院): 专 业: 李娟 学 号：外语系 英语 10319216

Title: Cultural Differences of Color Words

题 目:

in Chinese and English 颜色词在英汉两种语言中的文化差异 讲师 左广明

指导者：

(姓 名) (专业技术职务)

评阅者：

(姓 名) (专业技术职务) 吴延平副教授

2007 年 6 月

毕业论文中文摘要

语言和文化之间有着千丝万缕的联系。语言既是文化的一部分，又是文化的一面镜子。一个民族的语言折射出这个民族纷繁多彩的文化形态，根植于两种截然不同的文化背景之中的英汉两种语言之间不可避免地存在着巨大的文化差异。颜色词作为文化词语的一部分，承载着丰富的文化内涵。英汉语言中表示各种不同颜色或色彩的词语都很丰富,但是由于各自民族的文化历史背景、风俗习惯的不同，英汉语言在色彩运用以及赋予色彩的联想意义方面存在很大差异。本文通过大量的例证,从文化分析的角度着手,对英汉颜色词的语义联想和使用进行了比较研究，以期对消除跨文化交际中的障碍有所裨益,从而提高英语学习者的跨文化交际意识和能力。

关键词 文化差异，颜色词，英语，汉语

毕业论文外文摘要

Title

Abstract

There is close relation between language and culture. Language is not only one part of culture, but also a mirror of it. The language of a nation reflects abundant cultural modality of the nation, thus there are great cultural differences between Chinese and English with different cultural backgrounds. As one part of the cultural phrases, the various color or colors both in Chinese and English have great differences in their backgrounds and customs of each nation. From the point of cultural analysis, this paper have compared and analyzed the associative meanings and usages of the color words between Chinese and English through a large number of specific examples, in the hope cultivating the intercultural communication awareness and ability of English learners.

Keywords cultural differences, color words, English, Chinese

淮阴工学院毕业论文

Contents

第 Ⅰ 页 共 Ⅰ 页

1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………1 2 Color and Color Words……………………………………………………………… 2

2.1 Basic Color Words………………………………………………………………… 3

2.2 Definition of Basic Color Words ………………………………………………… 3

2.3 English Basic Color Words ……………………………………………………… 3

2.4 Chinese Basic Color Words ……………………………………………………… 3 3 Differences of Color Words in Meanings and Usages in Chinese and English………4

3.1 Differences in Associative Meanings………………………………………………4

3.2 Differences in Language Usages …………………………………………………7

3.2.1 Color Inclination…………………………………………………………………7

3.2.2 Ill-matched Situation of the Usages of Color Words…………………………… 8 4 Factors Affecting the Differences of Color Words in Chinese and English………… 9

4.1 Cultural Tradition and Customs……………………………………………………9

4.2 Historical Background ……………………………………………………………10

4.3 Religious Belief……………………………………………………………………10 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………… 12 Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………… 13 References………………………………………………………………………………14

淮阴工学院毕业论文

1 Introduction 第 1 页 共 14 页

Does language shape culture or does culture shape language? In my opinion, language is a mirror, precisely reflecting the connotation of culture. Language is an important tool for human beings to communicate with each other. At the same time it is an important and outstanding component of culture and imposes great impact on culture. However, culture is imparted and transmitted by language. There wouldn’t exist culture without language. “Language and culture are mutually in existence…” (Engene Nida, 1993).

Culture is the environment that people live in, by which every aspect of people’s life is affected and changes with the culture varying. As people live in the world with abundant color, to which their feelings are inevitably influenced by their native cultural tradition. The value of color is an organic component of the cultural value. According to the research of linguists and anthropologists, the classification of different national language is always different, because it has close relation to the ecological and the cultural environment of every nation. The color words, which have become a particular field in language study, are the product of the specific environment of language and culture. They not only reflect the physical characteristic, but the characteristic of society and times, having rich cultural connotation and becoming an important subject in the study of language and culture.

At the end of 1960s, two American scholars—the nationalist Brent Berlin and the linguist Paul Kay cooperated with each other, and published the most influenced work in the research of the color words Basic color words: Research of University and Evolutionism (1969). The work was published after studying nearly a hundred languages. Berlin and Kay originally created the theory of basic color words.

Chinese scholars，Yao Xiaoping and Liu Danqing，have done deep research on the color words in Chinese. They took the cultural factors into consideration in the research of the developing process of the color words. They thought that the cultural factors would have effect on the existence and development of the basic color words, about which Berlin and Kay didn’t concern. In recent years, many researchers also have taken part in the comparative research of the color words in Chinese and English, such as Meng Jianghong (2001), who studied different endowed meanings of the color words in Chinese and English

淮阴工学院毕业论文 第 2 页 共 14 页 culture, and pointed out the important meaning in practical usages, and Liu Xiaohui (2001), who expounded five basic skills of how to translate the color words correctly in Chinese and English, etc.

Based on the research situation of the color words at home and abroad, though many scholars have done comparative study of the color words in Chinese and English, in my opinion, they are not systematical and clear enough. And some color words that have appeared in recent years have not been referred to. Therefore, to understand and apply the color words correctly, in my paper, I’d like to briefly introduce color and color words in the first place, and then by giving examples, make comparative study on the different associative meanings and usages of color words in both languages. At last, the factors affecting the differences of color words between Chinese and English will be analyzed in order to get better understanding of the color words and the cultural differences between Chinese and English, in the hope of helping English learners overcome the barriers in communicating and promote the ability of cross-cultural communication.

With the social development of China and English spoken countries, people’s communication with each other has become more and more important. The communication of human beings is not only a kind of phenomenon of language, also a phenomenon of cross-culture. Cross-cultural communication refers to the communication of people in different cultural background. It becomes possible just because human beings share some common cultural information. However, people cannot share much other information because of cultural differences.

Therefore, in the course of learning English, it is necessary to pay attention to the cultural differences of color words between Chinese and English so that we can communicate with others effectively and successfully, as the research on the cultural differences of the color words between Chinese and English has profound significance in cross-cultural communication.

2 Color and Color Words

Color, a kind of natural phenomenon, is a result of human’s perception to the outside world. It looks like a long colorized belt with close continuity. Originally, color is an

淮阴工学院毕业论文 第 3 页 共 14 页 abstract concept and a blurry sense. There are a great variety of objects, each of which has specific color. With the evolution of human civilization, the vocabulary related to colors, which are called color words are used to express the color of certain substance. And color words are authorized signs to illustrate color.

Nowadays, in some extents, color words are considered as a kind of “common language” for people of different countries. But, because of the great cultural, historical and psychological differences, color words of different countries may also have various peculiarities.

2．1 Basic Color Words

Color words in different languages as well have a lot of traits in common. The two world-famous scholars Brent Berlin and Paul Kay, after a thorough and careful study, pointed out that there are eleven color categories in our world, which are known as “Basic Color Words”, containing white, black, red, green, yellow, blue, brown, purple, pink, orange and gray.

2．2 Definition of Basic Color Words

Ideally, each basic color word, or basic color term, should exhibit the following three characteristics:

◆ It is monolexemic; that is, its meaning is not predictable from the meaning of its parts. ◆ Its signification is not included in that of any other color word.

◆ Its application must not be restricted to a narrow class of objects.

These criteria are sufficient to determine the basic color words in a given language in nearly all cases.

2．3 English Basic Color Words

As Brent Berlin and Paul Kay declared, different nations have different numbers of color words. English, with a relatively richer cultural background, has all the eleven basic color words: white, black, red, green, yellow, blue, brown, purple, pink, orange and gray.

2．4 Chinese Basic Color Words

Chinese basic colors include white, black, red, green, yellow, blue, brown, purple and gray. It seems that there are fewer Chinese color words than English ones, but in fact,

淮阴工学院毕业论文

with color to show prolific meanings. 第 4 页 共 14 页 Chinese is one of the richest and most colorful languages in the world, having many words

3 Differences of Color Words in Meanings and Usages in Chinese and English

The color words belong to the culture limited words, having strong national and cultural characteristics. Because of different cultural tradition, national customs, religious belief and historical and geographical backgrounds, different associative meanings are certainly produced beyond the literal concept of the color words under the effects of special cultural tradition of each nation. In distinctive national culture, various colors have varied cultural connotation, express diverse cultural psychology, and so bring different association and their usages for people.

3．1 Differences in Associative Meanings

Color often contains abundant associative meanings. The associative meaning of color words is restrained by social customs, geographical environment, religion and culture, etc. Of course, there is some meaning in common. For instance, in most culture, “red” and “ardor”, “black” and “sobriety”, “green” and “life”, etc. are associated with each other. However, there exist enormous differences in most occasions.

Color, itself, has no any specific meaning of sense, but it has a great psychological effect, which can bring people psychological association. Therefore, in some contexts, color words are endued with connotation of sense and compliments and depreciation, having specific associative meaning. In the following parts, some words with basic colors, which are often used in daily life, will be introduced with examples.

1. Red

In both Chinese and English, red is usually associated with festive occasions. But the associative meaning in Chinese is more than that in English. Red has the associative meaning of happiness, luck, and prosperousness in Chinese. On calendar, holidays such as Spring Festival are printed in red. And Chinese people traditionally cut red couplets and applique to celebrate occasions like wedding and New Year. And there is a very famous

淮阴工学院毕业论文 第 5 页 共 14 页 trademark “double red happiness” (红双喜) which is the symbol of good fortune. Besides, red is related to revolution and advancement. The typical words are the Red Army, red flag, red star.

Although in English red also has the associative meaning of happiness, such as “red-letter days”, “to paint the town red” (to celebrate wildly, to enjoy oneself to one’s heart’s content), in most occasions, it has the unfortunate meaning. The western people are deeply affected by the tradition of bullfight, so in English red is associated with danger, violence, indignation and exigency, such as red rag, to see red, red alert, red battle and so on. Besides, red is the symbol of communism and communist party, which is used in harshly abusive words, such as red belt, better red than dead.

Red is also associated with certain emotions. Let’s see a few examples.

(1) He clenched his fist and went very red.

(2) Her face turned red when bombarded with such an embarrassing question.

(3) I can see that he is red with anger.

(4) The mere mention of his enemy’s name is like waving a red flag to him.

In the sentences above, some of the meaning can be guessed, for there is an Chinese equivalent，while the others are not so easy to understand by Chinese people. For instance, in English, one’s face turning red or becoming red-faced shows one’s embarrassment, as it does in Chinese “脸红”. But what is the meaning of “see…red” and “waving a red flag”? Both suggest anger. The former means to become very angry while the latter means to cause quick anger in somebody by doing something offensive.

2. White

White can remind one of the feelings of immaculacy either in Chinese or in English. But mostly there are quite different associative meanings in two languages. In ancient China white has the associative meaning of vulgarity and penury. White clothes, white house, white body separately mean civilian, grass house, and people who have no power, all of which make people think of humbleness and poverty. So, “white hand” in Chinese means “having nothing”. While in English, white hand means purity and innocence. And a white lie means a well-meaning lie; a white night means a sleepless night. Besides, in English, white market means the official market of which the opposite word is black market. It will

淮阴工学院毕业论文

3. Yellow 第 6 页 共 14 页 be obviously ridiculous if we translate the white market as official market in Chinese.

Either in Chinese or in English, yellow has the associative meaning of illness, stagnation and death because it is the color of autumn, which can remind people of stagnant vision. However, yellow has another two associative meanings—imperial power and stateliness in ancient times but eroticism and vulgarity now. Yellow was thought to be respectful in ancient China because it is the proprietary color of the emperors. While nowadays it is associated with obscenity and eroticism, such as “黄色书刊(filthy books and periodicals)”, “黄色电影(obscene movie)”. In English, yellow has the associative meaning of cowardice, timidity and abjection, take some phrases for example, have a yellow streak (craven and despicable behavior), yellow-bellied (craven), a yellow dog (an abject man) and so on.

4. Green

As green is the color of plants and nature, it has the associative meaning of youth, hope, life, fresh, etc in both Chinese and English. In Chinese the word “green” still cannot be separated with the color of plants, such as “绿洲(oasis)”, “绿化城市(plant trees in and around the city)”. However, in traditional Chinese, green is related with eroticism and low status. If a man is said to have worn a green cap, it means his wife isn’t loyal to him. And at ancient time, the men who worked in bordello were restricted to wear green caps or kerchief so as to show his low status. In English, green also means new, jejune, being not ripe and being lack of experience, such as a green apple, green hand, green horn, green old age “老当益壮” and so on. Also green is associative with jealousy, green-eyed, turn green with envy, etc. are the examples.

5. Blue

As blue is the color of the sea and the sky, most Chinese people are fond of this color. Usually, in Chinese blue sky can make people associate the future, and blue ocean can bring people infinite imagination. While in English blue always has the meaning of depression, melancholy, sadness and obscenity, such as in a blue mood, a blue Monday, blue evil, a blue movie, to make a blue joke, etc. Besides, blue is also related with nobleness, for instance, blue-blooded means somebody is of noble or royal birth.

淮阴工学院毕业论文

6. Pink 第 7 页 共 14 页

Pink, which is a color of red, is also known as peach in Chinese culture. Back to its root, it is the color of rouge that women used in order to beautify themselves, which is as beautiful as the color of peach blossom. Pink(peach) can symbolize female, so young men call their lovers as “红颜知己”, and the unwarrantable sexual behavior between men and women is called “peachy event桃色事件”. In recent years, the words “桃花运(a fancy and lucky love affair with a beautiful woman)” and “粉红女郎(charming women)” are very popular. But in western culture, pink has the association of elite and perfection. For example, the pink of perfection(a perfect person or thing)，the pink of politeness(quite complaisant). And it is also related with rank and fashion, such as pink lady(cocktail of high pattern)，pink tea(genteel doings)，a pink-collar worker(a woman secretary of high level).

7. Black

Either in Chinese or in English, black has many similar associative meaning of solemnness, evil, horror, mystery, lawlessness, grief, unrighteousness. For example, there are black market, black hand, black hearted person, blacklist, blackmail, black art(magic or monstrous skill) in English and “黑手(the reactionary power having some evil activities secretly)”, “黑心肠(an evil heart or intention)”, “黑帮(the unlawful social organization)”, “黑社会组织(the unlawful social organization doing some illegal activities as their job)”, etc. in Chinese. Nevertheless, in English black is also associated with abomination, anger, murk and death, such as black future, be black in the face, black sheep, blackleg(a cheat), Black Death(a deadly disease in the 14th century), and so on.

3．2 Differences in Language usages

3.2.1 Color Inclination

Color inclination means that the same or similar objects or concept take different color words to describe in two languages. For example, some phrases with the word “red” in Chinese language are not translated into the corresponding word “red” in English, such as “红茶(black tea)”, “红糖(brown sugar)”, “眼红(green-eyed)”. And in Chinese, yellow is used to indicate eroticism, vulgarity and obscenity, while blue is used in English, such as blue film, blue joke and so on. Besides, yellow is also the symbol of dignity and sovereign power, and the color of royalty. In the feudal society, all the emperors wear yellow robes.

淮阴工学院毕业论文

the purple”, “to be born in the purple”, “to marry into the purple”.

3.2.2 Ill-matched Situation of the Usages of Color Words 第 8 页 共 14 页 But purple is used in English to signify the monarch or the bishop, for example, “to raise to

In some occasions, the color words are used in English but not in Chinese. There are many examples of the difference of this usage, such as red-letter day(important or memorable day), yellow-bellied(craven), yellow alert(the warning of air raid), white elephant(expensive but useless things), a white lie(a well-meaning lie), a white night(a sleepless night), look black at somebody(look at somebody with great anger), be in a black mood(be depressed),etc. Green, which in English comes from grass, also has many usages. It can be used incorrectly if not knowing that. For example, greenhouse(conservatory), greenroom(the room for performers to rest), greenback(pound), green horn(a new or inexperienced person), green thumb(horticultural skill), etc. Also, because of people’s different living customs, some color words are used only in English. Brown goods refer to the electric equipments such as TV, camera, and sound equipment and so on. These equipments are usually put in the cabinet, which is smeared with brown lacquer to make it look like wooden furniture. And white goods refer to the equipments with white surface such as refrigerator, washing machine and so on. In Chinese there is no such method of generalizing objects. Also, yellow is used as the special color of some objects, such as Yellow Pages and Yellow Book.

Besides, when describe one’s mood and character, many color words are used in English. There is a typical example: Mr. White is a white (loyal) man. He was looking rather green (feel not good) the other day. He has been feeling blue (gloomy) today. When I saw him, he was in a brown mood (worried). I hope he’ll soon be in the pink (pull himself together) again. Chinese people will feel very confused at the above sentences because there is no such usage in Chinese.

In contrast, some color words are used in Chinese but not in English. Take the word “white” for example. The color word "white" in Chinese language also has various usages, but not all of them are translated into the word “white” of English, such as “白开水(plain boiled water)”, “白菜(Chinese cabbage)”, “白搭(no use)”, “白费事(all in vain)”, “白痴(idiot)”, “白卷(an examination paper unanswered)”, “白话(vernacular)”, “白手起家(to

淮阴工学院毕业论文 第 9 页 共 14 页 build up from nothing)”, “白眼(treat people superciliously)”, “白衣战士(medical worker)”,etc. The situation of the usage of the color word “yellow” is also different. For instance, “黄豆(soybean)”, “黄花菜(daylily)”, “黄泉(the place where the dead were buried)”, “黄历(almanac)”, “黄道吉日(an auspicious day)”, “黄金时间(primetime)”, “黄色书刊(filthy books and periodicals)”, “黄色电影(obscene movie)”，etc.

Take the word “red” of the Chinese language as another example. “红人(a favorite with somebody in power)”, “红榜(honor roll)”, “红利(bonus)”, “红尘(the world of mortals)”, “红运(good luck)”, “红豆(love pea)”, “生意红火(flourishing business)”. In English, there are no these usages. “红人”, “红榜”can’t be translated into “red man” and “red roll”.

Originally, “红包” means the red package wrapping money, used for a donation or prize, sometimes can be translated into “bonus” or “reward”. But in some hospitals in China, it is necessary for patients to carry “红包” to see a doctor, especially when patients need operating. And how do we translate this phrase in English? Neither bonus it is, nor a gift. It can hardly be called payola as well. In fact, it is a kind of additional payment of surgery. It’s vivid and straightforward to translate it as “under-the-table payment” from pragmatics, pointing out the essence of “红包”.

4 Factors Affecting the Differences of Color Words in Chinese and English

4．1 Cultural Tradition and Customs

Generally speaking, various reflection, appreciation and imagination to color of different people result from long-term edification and cultivation of cultural tradition and customs. As tradition and customs of different nations vary with the development of the human civilization, people will have different understanding on the color when it is linked with various tradition and customs.

The typical example is the color of weddings and funerals. In Chinese tradition, the color “red”, which symbolizes propitiousness and festive occassions, is the major color in weddings. The brides wear red dress and red kerchief; great pieces of red “Xi” are sticked

淮阴工学院毕业论文 第 10 页 共 14 页 onto windows, doors and walls. While in funerals, people who lose relatives use white paper, wear white mourning apparel, caps, sash and white flower to show their mournfulness. It is the national tradition and custom came down by Chinese people for thousands of years. However, in west, the brides always wear white dress in weddings to show the purity of their love; but in funerals people wear black clothes to show mournfulness to their lost relatives.

4．2 Historical Background

A lot of color words are produced under special historical background, most of which are called “culture limited words”. If we don’t understand these words and the historical and cultural background of them, it is even harder for us to communicate with each other. Therefore, it is of great importance to grasp the differences of historical background between the two countries.

In the Qing dynasty, the book that was authorized by the emperor is called “red book”. It is different from the “red book” in English-spoken country, which means the book with red cover. In China, during the culture revolution, every one should keep one or two books about Chairman Mao. It was also called “red treasured book”. As same as in English countries, such words related with history and geography has their proper meanings, such as red lining and red coat. The American financial institution encloses the poor area with red line and refuses to provide loan to this area that made the area poorer. This was called red lining. During the America civil war, the British soldiers wore scarlet service uniform. They were called redcoat.

Let’s take yellow for another example. Yellow has the meaning of elevation, dignity and sovereign power. It takes an important part in Chinese people’s mind. In ancient China, yellow is the color of the emperor, who always wore yellow clothes. It has been a long time that yellow is thought to be respectful. So, at that time, except the emperor no one was allowed to use yellow. But in west, purple is the color of monarch or bishop, as the kings and bishop of western countries always wear purple robes. So purple in English signifies dignity, power and status. For example, “be born in the purple”, “to be raised to the purple”, “to marry into the purple”, etc.

4．3 Religious Belief

淮阴工学院毕业论文 第 11 页 共 14 页 Each nation has its own religious belief all over the world, so it is also one aspect resulting in the cultural differences between two nations. Most Chinese people are deeply affected by the saying “超度” in Buddhism, taking the death of old people as “white festivals”, therefore they are all dressed in white. And because of the monks usually wear yellow cassocks, yellow is connected with “佛法”, “佛光”, “超世脱俗”, etc. The emperors in Chinese history were fond of the color yellow, showing their high position.

But most people of English-spoken countries believe in Christianity. In religion, black symbolizes grief, despair and death. In English there is the phrase “black Friday”. Here Friday refers to the Friday before Easter day. Jesus was suffering at that day. Based on the nation’s culture background and religious belief, people in English countries use black Friday to symbolize the disaster. This is peculiar in English culture. So, they usually wear black clothes in funerals. And there is an evident characteristic in the dresses due to the profound effects caused by Christianity—the brides always wear white dress to show loyalty and purity to Jesus; and the bridegrooms wear black lounge suit to show seriousness.

淮阴工学院毕业论文

Conclusion

Due to different cultural tradition, national customs, religious belief, historical and geographical backgrounds, and mode of thinking, every nation has its own distinctive culture. When reflected in languages, the cultural differences will lead to language differences. Color words in the different languages, because of their different cultural backgrounds, include different cultural connotation. There are various color words in both Chinese and English. As a result of the cultural differences, a color word with the same rational concept in Chinese and English may have different associative meanings and usages.

Thus, in the first part of my paper, I have expounded language and culture, and as well the relationship between them. Second, I have briefly introduced color and color words. Then, I have compared the differences of the color words from their associative meanings and usages by taking a lot of examples for explanation. At last, in order to further understand the differences of color words in both Chinese and English, I have analyzed the cultural factors resulting in the differences.

As the cross-cultural communication between China and English speaking countries becomes increasingly intensive, in the course of English learning, understanding the cultural differences of color words in Chinese and English will greatly contribute to getting a better command of English language, promoting the cultural communication between China and western countries and cultivating our intercultural communication awareness and ability.

淮阴工学院毕业论文

Acknowledgements

Many people deserve my grateful thanks for helping me in various respects and at various stages of the writing of this thesis. First of all, I would like to express my deep indebtedness and gratitude to my instructor, Mr. Zuo Guangming, who has been helping me throughout all the stages of the writing. Mr. Zuo discussed with me the determination of the title, the outline and the arrangement of each part. Without his insightful guidance and patient revision, this thesis would not have taken the present shape. All my life I will benefit from his earnest and tireless instruction.

I would also like to take this opportunity to give my sincere acknowledgements to all the teachers who have taught me during the four years’ of my study. Their excellent teaching has illuminated me and helped me lay a solid foundation for this thesis and my future work.

Last but not least, thanks also go to my classmates and friends for reading through the whole paper, commenting on part of it, and for their frequent discussion and constant support and encouragement while this thesis is being written.

Thanks to all who have helped me.

淮阴工学院毕业论文

References

[1] Claire Kramsch. Language and Culture[M]. 上海：上海外语教育出版社, 2000.

[2] Larry A. Samovar, Rechard E. Porter, Lisa A. Stefani Communication Between Cultures[M]. 北京：外语教学与研究出版社, 2000.

[3] Berlin.B and Kay.P Basic Color Terms: Their Universality and Evolution[M]. Berkely and Los Angeles: University of California Press.

[4] 邓炎昌, 刘润清. 语言与文化[M]. 北京：外语教学与研究出版社, 1994.

[5] 李瑞华. 英汉语言文化对比研究[M]. 上海：上海外语教育出版社, 1996.

[6] 林大津. 跨文化交际研究[M]. 福州：福建人民出版社, 1996.

[7] 赵艳萍, 李洁连. 文化与交际[M]. 北京：中国人民大学出版社, 1999.

[8] 严钦霞. 英汉基本颜色词对比研究[D]. 华中师范大学硕士学位论文, 2003.

[9] 李鑫. 英汉基本色彩词的比较研究[D]. 河北师范大学硕士研究生学位论文, 2004.

[10] 吴彬, 赵平. 浅析颜色词在中英文化中的差异[J]. 江西农业大学学报(社会科学版), 2003, (02).

[11] 王燕. 论英汉颜色词的文化差异[J]. 襄樊职业技术学院学报, 2004, (02).

[12] 蒋栋元. 论颜色及颜色词的文化差异[J]. 四川外语学院报, 2002, (02).

[13] 郭晓英. 从颜色词看英汉语言中的文化差异[J]. 天水师范学院学报, 2005, (03).

[14] 杨红艳. 中英颜色词的差异[J]. 湖南科技学院学报, 2005, (07).

[15] 刘锦芳. 从颜色词的表达看中西方文化差异[J]. 福建金融管理干部学院学报, 2005, (02).

[16] 赵永冠. 论颜色词在英汉语言中的运用[J]. 钦州师范高等专科学校学报, 2002, (01).

[17] 侯业勋. 颜色词在英汉语言中的运用[J]. 合肥学院学报(社会科学版), 2004, (04).

[18] 郭洪. 试论颜色词在英汉语言中的文化差异[J]. 兰州学刊, 2000, (06).

[19] 李群. 颜色词与英汉文化差异[J]. 开封大学学报, 2001, (02).

[20] 李晓珊. 从颜色词看英汉文化差异[J]. 广州市财贸管理干部学院学报, 2004, (04).