从文化角度对比分析中文“牛”和英文“cow/bull”的隐喻

论文摘要

语言受文化的影响,同时又反映文化。通过对语言的文化分析我们可以更好地理解语言,加深对文化的认识。牛是人类生产、生活中不可缺少的动物,它对中英文语言和文化产生了重要的影响。本文基于大量的语料,从文化角度对比分析中文“牛”和英语“cow/bull”隐喻的异同点。从被用作喻指人的牛的基本特征角度出发,将中英文牛的隐喻各自分类。本文通过系统和具体的分析发现,中英文都使用“牛”喻指健壮,行动迟缓,笨拙,倔强或者令人讨厌的人。同时,中英文各自有独特的“牛”的隐喻。在汉语中,牛可以被用作喻指谦卑,勤劳或者高傲的人,而在英语习语中,“bull”被用作喻指易怒,有攻击性的人。中英文中之所以有相似的“牛”的隐喻是因为人类具有相同的大脑结构,对于牛的感知也具有相似性。另外,本文从文化的三个侧面找出了中英文隐喻不同的一些原因,包括不同的地理生活习惯、文化传统和当地流传的不同文学作品。希望本文能对以后的隐喻跨文化研究提供一些借鉴,也希望本文对语言学习者有一些帮助。

论文目录

• 摘要
• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 Literature Review
• 1.1 Definitions of Metaphor on Different Stages of Studies on Metaphor
• 1.1.1 Rhetoric Studies on Metaphor
• 1.1.2 Semantic Views of Metaphor
• 1.1.3 Interdisciplinary Studies on Metaphor
• 1.2 Metaphor and Culture
• 1.2.1 The Term “culture”in the Anthropological Sense
• 1.2.2 The Interdependent Relationship between Metaphor and Culture
• 1.2.3 Cross-Cultural Studies on Metaphors
• 1.2.3.1 Zoltan K?vecses
• 1.2.3.2 Ning Yu
• 1.2.3.3 Naomi Quinn
• 1.3 Previous Studies of Cattle in the Language
• 1.3.1 The Influences of Cattle on Human Language
• 1.3.2 Previous Studies of Cattle
• Chapter 2 Metaphors in Chinese and English: A Case Study of “牛” and “cow/bull”
• 2.1 Explanations on the Linguistic Data and Classification of Metaphors
• 2.1.1 The Reason for Choosing Chinese “牛”and English “cow/bull”
• 2.1.2 Classification Method of Metaphors about Chinese “牛”and English “cow/bull”
• 2.2 Metaphors of Chinese “牛”
• 2.2.1 “牛”→“strong persons”
• 2.2.2 “牛”→“humble persons”
• 2.2.3 “牛”→“sluggish and clumsy persons”
• 2.2.4 “牛”→“industrious persons”
• 2.2.5 “牛”→“stubborn persons”
• 2.2.6 “牛”→“arrogant persons”
• 2.2.7 “牛”→“unpleasant persons”
• 2.3 Metaphors of English “cow/bull”
• 2.3.1 “bull”→“strong persons”
• 2.3.2 “cow”→“sluggish and clumsy persons”
• 2.3.3 “bull”→“stubborn persons”
• 2.3.4 “bull”→“irritable and aggressive persons”
• 2.3.5 “cow”→“unpleasant persons”
• 2.4 Similarities of Metaphors about Chinese “牛”and English “cow/bull”
• 2.5 Differences of Metaphors about Chinese “牛”and English “cow/bull”
• Chapter 3 Cultural Analysis of Metaphors about Chinese “牛”and English “Cow/Bull”
• 3.1 Reasons Accounting for the Similarities between Chinese “牛” and English “cow/bull”Metaphors
• 3.1.1 Similar Structure of Human Brain
• 3.1.2 Similar Bodily Experience
• 3.2 Reasons Accounting for the Differences between Chinese “牛” and English “cow/bull”Metaphors
• 3.2.1 Different Geography and Living Style
• 3.2.2 Different Customs and Traditions
• 3.2.3 Different Religious Beliefs and Literary Works
• 3.3 Summary of My Findings
• 3.3.1 My Findings
• 3.3.2 Limitations of My Study
• 3.4 Its Applications to Language Teaching
• Chapter 4 Conclusion
• References