Abstract

This thesis intends to compare the different cultural metaphors of color words between Chinese and English in terms of many aspects of our lives to help people avoid the cultural misunderstandings. Firstly, it focuses on color words polysemy from the idea of metaphor. Next, the polysemy includes the metaphor, color words polysemy and the research on color words polysemy from the idea of metaphor abroad and in China. Finally, it shows a cognitive approach to color words metaphor in Chinese and English. The cognitive approach in China and English indicates the color words polysemy through the economic field, the political field and the emotional field. 

Key words: language; cultural metaphors; color words

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction1

1.1The Background and Significance1

2.Theoretical Basis2

2.1Sketch of Color Words Polysemy 4

2.1.1The Metaphor and Color Words Polysemy4

2.1.2The Research on Color Words Polysemy abroad.4

2.1.3The Research on Color Words Polysemy in China5

3.Color Words Polysemy through Metaphorical Extension6

3.1 Mapping from the Color Domain to the Economic Domain.6

3.2 Mapping from the Color Domain to the Political Domain7

3.3 Mapping from the Color Domain to the Emotional Domain.7

4.Conclusion.8

4.1Implications.8

4.2The Limitations and Suggestions9

References.10