Abstract

As languages with a long history, both English and Chinese are rich in basic color terms, and nearly all these basic color terms carry their own unique connotations arising from different cultures. As the cross-cultural communication between China and the western world is deepened, people has realized that basic color terms form an area where misunderstanding in cross-cultural communication appears inevitable due to the varieties of their cultural connotations. Thus, it is of great significance to make a contrastive study in cultural connotations of basic color terms between English and Chinese.

Key words: color terms, cultural connotations, comparative studies

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction1

2. Language and Culture..1

 2.1 Relationship between language and culture..1

 2.2 Colors and culture..2

2.2.1 Basic color terms..2

2.2.2 Color terms and culture3

2.2.2.1 Color terms and status.3

2.2.2.2 Color terms and customs and superstition..4

2.2.2.3 Color terms and academy..4

2.2.2.4 Color terms and sign.5

3. The Comparison of Cultural Connotations of Basic Color Terms between English and Chinese..5

 3.1 Black and黑5

 3.2 Red and红6

 3.3 White and白7

 3.4 Yellow and黄..8

 3.5 Blue and蓝..9

 3.6 Purple and紫.9

4. The Various Reasons for Similarities and Differences..10

 4.1 Causes for similarities10

 4.2 Causes for differences.11

4.2.1 Environment..11

4.2.2 Politics..12

4.2.3 Religion.12

5.Implications of the Study..12

6.Conclusion.13

Works Cited14