Abstract:Color words are always a subject interesting to all fields of researchers. Slang is a kind of informal language. However, it plays a more and more important role in recent society by its unique characteristics. This dissertation will discuss the common characteristics and the differences of two color words “red” and “yellow” in English and Chinese slangs and show the relationship between language and culture. It is that language reflects culture, and language’s common characteristics and differences reflect cultures’. Knowing cultural differences and similarities is beneficial to avoiding folk conflicts between each nation so as to advance the cultural communication and combination.

Key words: slangs; red; yellow; color words

Table of Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Something about the slang and the reasons of existent differences between English and Chinese culture-2

2.1 The definition, extent and origins of slang-2

2.1.1 The definition of slang-2

2.1.2 Extent and origins of slang-2

2.2 The reasons of existent differences between English and Chinese culture-2

2.2.1 Geography-2

2.2.2 Mode of thinking-3

3. The differences of two color words “red” and “yellow” in English and Chinese slangs-4

3.1-The contrast of “red” in the English and Chinese slangs-4

3.1.1 The “red” in the Chinese slangs-4

3.1.2 The “red” in the English slangs-4

3.2-The contrast of “yellow” in English and Chinese slangs-5

3.2.1 The “yellow” in Chinese slangs-5

3.2.2 The “yellow” in English slangs-6

4. The similarities of two color words “red” and “yellow” in English and Chinese slangs-7

4.1 Some same literal meaning and connotation of two color words “red” and “yellow” in English and Chinese slangs-7

4.1.1 “Red”-7

4.1.2 “Yellow”-7

4.2 Figure of speech-8

4.2.1 Euphemism-8

4.2.2 Metaphor-9

4.2.3 Hyperbole-9

4.2.4 Metonymy-9

4.3 Language characteristics-10

4.3.1 Vividness-10

4.3.2 Fashion-10

4.4-The reasons of the wide usage-10

4.4.1 Antagonistic psychology-10

4.4.2 Social pluralism-10

4.4.3 Advocating the freedom-11

5. Conclusion-12

References-13

Acknowledgements-14