Abstract:In human languages, a host of words and phrases are related with color. Color and color words have their unique charm and are related closely to many aspects of culture. However, different peoples with different culture backgrounds have different opinions on the same color term. The reasons which result in the differences involve customs, language habits, background of history, psychological status and environment. In Chinese and English cultures, the uses of colors and color words are also diversified. Different cultures endow colors with different symbolic meanings. It’s essential for people to be aware of the deep and broad symbolic meanings in different cultures.  

This paper is intended to make a tentative discussion on the symbolic meanings of color words in Chinese and Western culture. The paper is divided into three parts.  The first part tries to explore the influence of various ethnic and cultural developments to the color symbolism of the word from the perspectives of the contrast between Chinese and Western cultures. In the second part, the paper tries to analyze the reasons which cause the differences of symbolic meanings of color words between English and Chinese. In the third part, this paper will be classified by color words and it focuses on analyzing the special symbolic meaning of each color in English and Chinese.

Keywords: Color words; Symbolic meaning; English and Chinese culture

Contents

中文摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

Chapter 2 Language and Culture-2

2.1 The Definition of Culture-2

2.2 The Relationship of Language and Culture-3

2.3 The Relationship between Language and Color-3

Chapter 3 Reasons for Causing the Differences of Symbolic Meaning of Color Words between English and Chinese-5

3.1 Different Customs-5

3.2 Different Language Habits-5

3.3 Different Background of History-6

3.4 Different Political and Economical Systems-6

3.5 Different Psychological Status-8

3.6 Different Environment and Living Conditions-9

Chapter 4 A Comparison of Symbolic Meaning of Color Words between English and Chinese-10

4.1 Yellow-10

4.2 Red-11

4.3 Green-11

4.4 Black-12

4.5 White-13

Chapter 5 Conclusion-14

References-15

Acknowledgements-16