英语颜色词在习语中的体现--本科生毕业论文.doc

长　沙　学　院

CHANGSHA UNIVERSITY

本科生毕业论文

论 文 题 目:
Cultural Connotations of English Color Words in Idioms

系　　　　部：
外 语 系
专 业：
英 语
学 生 姓 名：
张 肖 铃
班 级：
翻译2班
学号 2012071510
指导教师姓名：
吴筱玲
职称 讲 师

长沙学院教务处
二○一三年六月制

（20 16 届）
本科生毕业论文
Cultural Connotations of English Color Words in Idioms
系　　　　部：
外 语 系
专 业：
英 语
学 生 姓 名：
张 肖 铃
班 级：
翻译2班
学号 2012071510
指导教师姓名：
吴筱玲
职称 讲 师

最终评定成绩

2015年 5 月

英语颜色词文化内涵在习语中的体现
摘要

习语是一种特殊的地域文化特征。颜色词是其重要组成部分。当研究习语时，最先要研究颜色词在习语中的体现。
本文首先介绍英语习语相关理论即定义、来源及分类等。其次文章列举分析不同颜色词在不同语境下的含义。最后，论文探讨研究颜色词文化内涵在习语中的体现的重要意义与作用。希望对提高英语学习和增强跨文化交流能力有所帮助。
关键词：习语；颜色词；文化内涵

I

Cultural Connotations of English Color Words in Idioms
ABSTRACT

Idiom is a kind of special regional culture. Color words are important parts of it. When studying idioms, firstly, the author should study the expression of color words in idioms.
This paper first introduces the related theories of English idiom such as its definition, its origin and its classification. Secondly, different connotations of color words in different context are listed and analyzed. Last, the paper discusses the significance of the study of the cultural connotation of color words in idioms in order to help people to improve their English learning and cross-cultural communication ability.

Keywords: idioms; color words; cultural connotation

II

Acknowledgements

I would like to take this opportunity to gratitude to all the people who have ever helped me in this paper.
First of all, I want to give my heartfelt thanks to Wu Xiaoling, my supervisor, who supported my efforts in writing thesis during past few mouths.
I am also extremely grateful to all my friends and classmates who have kindly provided me assistance and companionship in the course of preparing this paper.
In addition, many thanks go to my family for their unfailing love and unwavering support.
Finally, I am really grateful to all those who devote much time to reading this thesis and give me much advice, which will benefit me in my later study.
（二号中文黑体，英文Times New Roman加粗居中，段前0.5行，段后0.5行，单倍行距）

III

CONTENTS
摘要 I
ABSTRACT II
Acknowledgements III
1 Introduction 1
2 Related Theories of English Idiom 2
2.1 Definition 2
2.2 Origin 2
2.3. Classification 4
3 English Color Words and Their Cultural Connotation in Idioms 7
3.1 Black 7
3.2 Blue 7
3.3Green 8
3.4 Red 9
3.5 White 9
4 The Significance of Studying Cultural Connotations of English Color Words in Idioms 11
4.1 Improving English Understanding and English Learning 11
4.2Promoting Cross-cultural Communication 11
5 Conclusion 13
References 15

IV

长沙学院毕业论文
1 Introduction

Language is human-specific. It is a precious gift. Language, possessing all the features of culture, belongs to institutional culture. Language is not inherited but acquired and shared by a whole society like all the other aspects of culture. What’s more, language is conventional and governed by rules which are acknowledge and observed by a society. Therefore, language mirrors other aspects of culture, supporting them, spreading them and helping to developing them. This unique feature of language distinguishes it from all other facets of culture, and makes it crucially important for the transfer of culture.
Color term, as a part of the basic vocabulary in English, has a strong vitality. People have different association through the basic meaning of color terms and by mixing and matching to form a large number of fixed expressions. The conceptual meaning conveyed by color term is roughly the same in English, but the same term of color in these two languages may express different cultural associations. Color term, having particular cultural connotation meanings may convey misunderstanding due to different geographic conditions, national customs, histories, politics, economy and national psychology. The application of rhetoric color term in English idioms has a profound history in England, which can be well presented in the domain of the rhetoric of Chinese language with its own characteristics in both expression and application. Various colors make up a beautiful and colorful world. Scientific research indicates that seven million kinds of colors can be found in the world. However, color expressions are only limited to several hundred in classification. The number of words for expressing color in languages of various nationalities differs and its classification varies as well.
Although different languages have their own color terms, they also have many colors in common, such as the basic color words red, yellow, green, blue, black, white, etc.
The same terms of color in different languages expresses different cultural associations, as English terms of color may have cultural association that is not transparent to Chinese learners of English as a foreign language.

2 Related Theories of English Idiom

When we analyze English idioms, firstly, we should understand some theories which include definition, origin as well as classification.
2.1 Definition
The word "idiom" is derived from Greek. In the Greek etymology, its basic definition is "expressions for particularity". But in modern English, the most popular definition is "an idiomatic expression of a language". The definition can be understood differently. Taking it as a whole, "idiom" refers to all the unique expressions of a language, namely, the language's particularity or idiomaticity. Individually, "idioms" refers to each idiomatic expression, that is, thousands of idioms of the language. The definition of "idioms" in the thesis belongs to the latter one. "Idioms" here refers only to a special kind of fixed phrases. An idiom is made up with two or more than two words whose meaning can't be made from only its literal meaning.
2.2 Origin
English is a language with long history，and English idioms has a long region. English idioms has a strong national color is a mirror which reflects history.
2.2.1 Idioms from Navigation
Britain is an island country, the British people living in the marine type geographical environment from generation to generation, long-term engaged in maritime activities, and dealing with the ocean. They love the ocean, rely on the ocean, and have an inseparable relationship with the ocean . Thus a large part of idioms are related to the sea, ships, sea water, land, swimming, and so on. For example:
1.All at sea.(迷惑不解)
2. In the swim.(追逐潮流)
3. In deep water.(在水深火热中)
4. To sink or swim.(不论成败)
5. Devil and the deep sea.(左右为难)
6. A small leak will sink a great ship.(小洞不堵，大船要沉)
2.2.2 Idioms from Religion
Religion in Britain and some other English speaking countries had a great influence. Many people are born on the influence of religious. Many important events in their lives are closely related to religion, and the faith of religion of them is enduring. As a result, many idioms are connected with God, angels, heaven, hell, devil, church, and so on. For example:
1. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. (天怜受难人)
2. God helps those who help themselves. (自助者天助)
3. Rush in where angels fear to tread. （胆大妄为 ,初生牛犊不怕虎）
4. As poor as the church mouse. （一贫如洗）
5. The devil knows many things because he is old.（老马识途） 　　
2.2.3 Idioms from the Bible
"Bible" has a pivotal position in the western culture, affecting all aspects of western social life. It is hard to measure the influence of the Bible on the British people. British people read "the Bible" in the church and home from generation to generation, "the Bible" almost became a family of essential books. Many allusions and stories became the Life maxim in the Bible. For example:
1. At the eleventh hour. (在最后一刻;紧急关头)
2. The apple of one’s eye. (掌上明珠)
3. Hold out the olive branch. (愿意讲和)
4. Dead sea apple. (金玉其外 ,败絮其中)
5. Lion in the path. (拦路虎)
6. Judas kiss. (出卖、背叛)　
2.2.4 Idioms from Animals and Plants
One of the major features of English idioms is related to animals and plants. A large number of metaphors are closely related to people's lives, pets, poultry, especially with cats, dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese and so on. The dog is a cute animal in the minds of the UK, so many idioms about dogs are good. For example:
1. Love me , love my dog. （爱屋及乌）
2. cat - and - dog life. （经常争吵的生活）
3. Rain cats and dogs. （倾盆大雨）
4. Wake a sleeping dog. （惹事生非）　
5. Let the cat out of the bag. （泄露机密）
6. Dark horse.（出人意外的获胜者）　
7. Ride the high horse. （装腔作势;出风头）
8. Put the cart before the horse. （本末倒置）　
In addition to the above mentioned sources of English Idioms there are other sources of English idioms, this article will not repeat this topic. But through the above introduction, can already glimpse national culture unique brand deeply in the idioms. By understanding the origin of idioms, we can discover the common features of English language and social culture, and enrich the understanding of language and culture on the basis of rich language knowledge.
2.3. Classification
English idioms are kinds of special means of expressions which formed in the using and developing of English In general, including proverbs, slang, allusions. There are obvious differences between them. English has a long history and a large number of idioms which concise, vivid, profound implied meaning, fun, rich in philosophy. Many idioms have exquisite symmetry, beautiful tone, rhythm coordination and great beauty.
2.3.1 Proverb
Generally speaking, proverb is a short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought; English proverb contains two forms of phrases and sentence type. Its outstanding characteristic is the extensive use of various rhetorical devices, reflecting the rich English culture connotation. To define the English saying, understand its characteristics contribute to better use the English saying. For example :
1. Proverbs are children of experience.(谚语是经验的产物.)
2. It’s no use crying over split milk.(倒翻牛奶，哭也没用) Abbreviated form：Cry over split milk （覆水难收）
3. See red（怒不可遏）
4. Red-blooded males(精力充沛的人, 活跃的人)
5. white elephant (白象，累赘物)
2.3.2 Slang
Slang is the informal, more spoken language of the statement. People are summed up in the daily life of the popular with the local color words. Slang is a kind of informal language, usually used in informal situations. Sometimes slang is used to express something new, or to give something new to the old. It is specific to certain groups and regions, there are strict limits to the scope of application, it’s should pay attention to the occasion when we use it. For example :
1. Screw up.（弄糟，一塌糊涂）
2. Pay off. (贿赂)
3. Chat up. (与异性搭讪)
4. Come easily (易如反掌 )
5. Don't have a cow(别大惊小怪)
6. push around (欺骗)
7. keep one's shirt on(保持冷静)
8. joy ride(兜风)
9. hit the road(上路)
10. come clean( 全盘托出，招供 )
2.3.3 Allusion
There are a large number of these kinds of idioms. some came from western life, sailing or military terms, some from "Bible", and some from the classical literary classics, some derived from the ancient Greek and Roman mythology, some from Latin or French,. Behind each idiom, there are some interesting stories or allusions .When we research these kinds of idioms, if we can know the origin of them, we can remember them more deeply. For example:
1. The heel of Achilles (弱点，要害)
2. The Trojan horse (奸细，暗藏的危险)
3. Stumbling block (绊脚石)
4. Ivory tower(象牙塔)
5. The fifth column(敌人派入的间谍或通敌的内奸)
6. Mare’s nest (无稽之谈)

3 English Color Words and Their Cultural Connotation in Idioms

This chapter chooses some colors as examples to illustrate their different meaning in English idioms.
3.1 Black
In English idioms, Black is the color of authority and power. The term “black” is often used in the West to denote the race of people whose skin color ranges from light to darker shades of brown. Black is a symbol of mourning and bereavement in Western societies, especially at funerals and memorial services.
Black is a symbol of mourning and bereavement in Western societies, especially at funerals and memorial services. For example: Friday Black in English refers to Jesus's suffering on the Friday before Easter. So Friday black refers to a sad day. black-letter: It’s meaning unlucky Black is also a symbol of anger in the English, such as black in the face (脸色铁青)：Describe a furious face. to look black at someone （怒目而视）：Describe the look of the big temper. Besides, black has the meaning of "sinister" and "evil". For example: black sheep(害群之马): A person who endangers the society or the collective. Black future (暗淡的前途):Refers to the future without hope. Black dog: Forget someone's kindness to yourself, and hurt her or him. Black money：The source of the money that is not justified and has no tax returns to the government. 6. Black market：Black market is a secret commodities or foreign exchange trade banned by the government. Black money：The source of the money that is not justified and has no tax returns to the government. Black market：Black market is a secret commodities or foreign exchange trade banned by the government.
So black are generally a symbol of bad, dark and the negative emotions in English idioms
3.2 Blue
Blue is a color that is full of fantasy and also has a clear, romantic feeling. Blue is melancholy，blue often represents the mood or state of depression in English. Blue symbol significance depending on its brightness: high brightness blue symbolizes fresh and quiet; low brightness blue symbolizes a solemn and noble; low brightness of the blue elephant to loneliness and sadness. Blue has cold, negative and solemn psychological association.
In English culture there are many kinds of blue. Firstly, it is often used figuratively to indicate unhappiness, sadness or low spirit. For example, if someone is pictured as in a blue mood or have the blues, it means he or she may feel sad, gloomy, or depressed. Secondly, it is also regarded as nobility power, wisdom, purity and loyalty. The idiom to have blue blood means a person is of a noble origin or having a noble ancestor. A blue stocking refers to a learned, bookish or pedantic woman who is thought to be highly educated. Besides, it is also the symbol of bawdry and indelicacy sometimes. For example, a blue joke refers to the obscene joke about sex. Blue is often combined with other words to mean being unexpected and sudden. For example