OnDifferencesbeweenChineseandEnglishCuluresfromProverbs_开题报告

Many have been devoted to the analysis of proverbs translate either in Chinese or English. However, only a few are focused on the study of culture element. Later, I will discuss some researchers’ arguments about the difference between Chinese and English culture from proverbs. But first I shall provide some background.

As we all know, there is more and more cross-cultural communication nowadays. Different cultures have different features. Proverbs, as an essential part of language, reflecting the culture of a nation, have cultural connotations about geography, history, customs and religion. Proverbs exist in almost every language, which is a mirror of a society, reflecting not only the feature of a nation, but also the culture. 

Having set the back ground, I shall return to the arguments about the difference between Chinese and English culture from proverbs in geography, history, religion and customs. 

Researchers propose proverbs are closely connected with geography, history, religion and customs of a nation. (Peng Jiao, Cultural Connotation and Translation of English Proverbs, Overseas English, 2014) About geography, Hu Ying(2013) compares “west winds” and “east winds” in Chinese and English proverbs. In Chinese we say “古道西风瘦马” or “昨夜西风凋碧树”, but in English we can read from Samuel Butler “biting east” or Charles Dickens “How many winter days have I seen him, standing blue-nosed in the snow and east wind!”. That is because China has mountains in the west and has ocean in the east, when east winds blow it is quite warm and comfortable. The United Kingdom is located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe; west winds will make the weather pleasant. About history, Peng Jiao(2014) proposes the development of history had great influences on language. And lots of culture history traces were left to language in this development. As one of the most important parts of language, proverbs absorb a lot from history. Different countries have different histories, and different histories bring different cultures. About religion, Zhang Yaju observes different religions reflect different cultural backgrounds and cultural traditions. In China there are a variety of religions beliefs, Buddhism, Taoism, folk religion is recognized by the Chinese religions. But in western, most people believe in Christianity. God is the Savior. Many religion words exist in current English. About customs, Eugene A.N argues custom is a phenomenon of a society, involving many aspects of social life. A proverb is an authentic way of expression in the language, which is also closely related, with the daily life of local people. Different customs cause different social life and could cause different proverbs.

In sum, all the above studies have put forward valuable ideas about the cultural differences reflected in Chinese and English proverbs. However, there seems to be a lack of in-depth and detailed analysis and comparison, which will surely shed more light onto the cultural implications. Thus my study will discuss more about the comparison on culture value conception reflected from Chinese and English proverbs and the communicative strategies from the perspective of cultural differences, which may hopefully make some contribution in this direction.

Outline

Introduction

definition and features of proverbs

proverbs translation

2. Cultural reasons for the differences of Chinese and English proverbs

2.1 about geography

2.2 about history

2.3 about religion

2.4 about custom

3. Comparison on culture value conception reflected from Chinese and English proverbs 

3.1 the importance of culture value conception

3.2 comparison on culture value conception reflected from Chinese and English proverbs

3.2.1 individualism and collectivism

3.2.2 different in right allocation

3.2.3 time conception

3.2.4 thought pattern

3.3 communicative strategies from the perspective of cultural differences

3.3.1 accurate translation and application of Chinese and English proverbs

3.3.2 deepen understanding of each other’s culture

4. Conclusion

5. References

References

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