Abstract: English idiom learning is an important part in English learning. Negative transfer of Chinese, a special language phenomenon in English learning, influences English idiom learning greatly. This paper discusses the influence of negative transfer of Chinese on English idiom learning from culture, geographical environment and grammar, with many examples to illustrate the phenomenon. It also puts forward some suggestions on how to prevent the negative transfer from three aspects. 

Key words: negative transfer; English idiom; culture; geographical environment; grammar; suggestions

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Background Research.1

1.1 Definition of Negative Transfer

1.2 Negative Transfer of Chinese and English Idiom Learning

2. Negative Transfer of Chinese on Idioms Concerning Culture.2

2.1 Idioms on Religions and Beliefs

2.2 Idioms on Traditions and Customs

2.3 Idioms on Historical Settings

2.4 Idioms from Literary Works

3. Negative Transfer of Chinese on Idioms Concerning Geographical Environment.4

4. Negative Transfer of Chinese on Idioms Concerning Grammar.4

5. Suggestions on How to Prevent Negative Transfer.5

6. Conclusion6

Bibliography...8

Acknowledgements9