Abstract:English proverbs are the most refined and most vivid words derived from the long history, which possesses various rhetorical features and cultural connotation. This paper studies the rhetorical devices in English proverbs mainly from the perspective of linguistics and expounds the conceptual metaphor theory of Cognitive linguistic、the theory of figures of speech and the cultural value in English proverbs. By analyzing the rhetorical devices of simile、metaphor、alliteration、personification and metonymy , the author lets people know the common use of rhetorical devices in English proverbs, analyzes the cultural connotation of the English proverbs and explores the cultural applications of them. This study aims at improving our pragmatic competence in cross-cultural communication and promoting the cultural communication.

Key words: English proverbs; rhetorical devices; cultural application

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review.2

2.1 Cognitive Linguistic

2.2 Theory of Figures of Speech

2.3 Cultural Value in English Proverbs

2.4 The Research Status at Home and Abroad

3. Analysis of the Rhetorical Devices in English Proverbs6

3.1 Simile

3.2 Metaphor

3.3 Alliteration

3.4 Personification

3.5 Metonymy

4. Cultural Connotation9

4.1 Religious Culture

4.2 Cultural Communication

4.3 Cultural Innovation

5. Cultural Application10

5.1 In Daily Life

5.2 In Trade Activities

5.3 In Cross-cultural Communication

6. Conclusion13

Bibliography.14

Acknowledgements16