Abstract:Language and culture are inseparable. While idioms play an important part in language. Both English idioms and Chinese idioms carry cultural features and cultural information and they are closely related to their cultures and traditions. Studying the origins of both English and Chinese idioms or making a comparison between their culture backgrounds is really meaningful for language learners. It can reduce the misunderstanding of a certain language or pragmatic mistakes to a minimum and will be beneficial to language learning, translation and cross-cultural communication. This thesis compares the origins of English and Chinese idioms in four aspects, which includes living circumstance, historical allusion, religions and beliefs, as well as traditions and customs. It also points out that studying the origin of idioms is helpful for understanding both cultures and having a better command of idioms. 

Keywords:  English and Chinese idioms  the origins of idioms  culture differences

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

Chapter Two Idioms and Culture-2

2.1 Definition of Idioms-2

2.2 Definition of culture-3

2.3 Relationship between Idioms and Culture-3

Chapter Three Cultural Origins of Idioms-5

3.1 Different Living Circumstance-5

3.1.1 Geographical Environment-5

3.1.2 Climate-6

3.2 Different Historical Allusion-7

3.2.1 Historical Events-7

3.2.2 Fables and Mythologies-8

3.2.3 Literary Works-9

3.3 Different Religions and Beliefs-10

3.4 Different Tradition and Customs-11

3.4.1 Food and Cooking-11

3.4.2 Animals-12

Chapter Four Conclusion-14

References-15