Abstract：The vocabulary is both the product of the human cultural environment and the carrier of culture, at the same time ,it is also influenced by and reflect culture .As a tool for recording human history and human thought ,each kind of language has its own unique cultural trait .In all varieties of lexical items, the color words as a kind of special vocabulary have always been existing from ancient times, on one hand, it is a necessary part for human culture and language, on the other hand ,it is also an important area that helps us to recognize the world, because it not only describes the physical properties of things, but also includes many varieties of profound cultural meanings .Because there are a lot of differences at many aspects including the folk custom and habit, geographical environment, mode of thinking, religious belief and ethnic psychology, the English and Chinese color words have produced a lot of different language and cultural connotations and significances which can raise people’s concern .as a result of the several differences between Chinese and English, people from different culture would often produce a few inevitable standings when they are in the cultural communications. in this case , it is important for us to study diverse cultural significances among English and Chinese color words. This essay compares and studies particularly some divergences between Chinese and English color words from lots of aspects such as original meaning and extended meaning ,by studying their productions , developments, cultural connotations ,symbolic significances and other aspects. in order to understand the divergences between Chinese and English language and culture, at the same time , this essay also thinks of a way to come up with several advices and suggestions for the way to promote understanding between the English and Chinese color words without losing their separate identities ,for alleviating a lot of contradictions in the international communication, and promoting the common developments between China and western countries.

Keywords: intercultural communication; cultural differences; comparative analysis; 

color words; English and Chinese culture

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction-1

2. The reasons of the difference between English and Chinese color words-1

2.1 The geographical environment factors-1

2.2 The historical background factors-2

2.3The social culture factors-2

2.3.1The national custom and habit factors-3

2.3.2 The national psychological factors-3

3. Diverse culture meanings between English and Chinese color words-4

3.1 Red-4

3.2 Blue-6

3.3 White-7

3.4 Black-9

3.5 Green-10

4.Conclusion-11

References：-13

Acknowledgements-14