Abstract

Language is the most important communication tool of human society. The idioms are the carrier of culture and the quintessence of any language. After long-term use, idioms are refined to be fixed phrases or short sentences. Both English and Chinese have a long history, so they are highly developed and contain many idioms. Due to the influence of various factors such as history, geographical environment, religious beliefs and so on, English and Chinese idioms are provided with their own national characteristics. In particular, animal idioms have good language expression effect and create vivid images, which are important components of idioms and reflect the cultural differences between English and Chinese obviously.

This thesis aims to analyze the reasons for the cultural differences between English and Chinese through contrasting the different images and connotations embodied in animal idioms in Eastern and Western cultures so that readers can get a better understanding about animal idioms.

Key words: animal idioms; cultural differences; reasons

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction-2

2. Literature Review-2

3. Relationship between Culture Differences and Idioms-3

3.1 Definition of Idioms and Animal Idioms-3

3.2 Relationship between Culture Differences and Idioms-3

4. Contrast of English and Chinese Animal Idioms-4

4.1 The Same Animal with the Same Meaning-4

4.2 The Same Animal with Different Meanings-5

4.3 Different Animals with the Same Meanings-6

5. Reasons for Differences between English and Chinese Animal Idioms-7

5.1 History and Culture-7

5.2 Living Environment-8

5.3 Religious Beliefs-9

6. Conclusion-10

Works Cited-11