英汉语中与饮食相关习语的文化含义及形象意义对比
关键词 中英饮食相关习语 文化含义及形象意义 对比
毕业论文外文摘要
Title The Contrastive Study of the Cultural and Figurative Meaning between the Chinese and English Diet-related Idioms
Abstract
Idioms are an important part of human language, illustrating the differences and similarities of different cultures. This paper specifically shows the differences and similarities of occident culture represented by English culture and orient culture represented by Chinese culture, through the contrast of the cultural and figurative meaning between the Chinese and English diet-related idioms. This paper includes two major parts. Part one is similarities, stated by the consciousness to staple food related idioms and other idioms in English and Chinese with the same images and the same cultural and figurative meanings. Part two is differences, stated by idioms in English and Chinese with different images but the same cultural or figurative meanings and idioms in English and Chinese with the same images but different cultural or figurative meanings. Every little part is illustrated by many examples. By contrast, it’s easier to know the differences and similarities of English and Chinese culture and their idioms and to grasp the usage of English and Chinese idioms.
Keywords Chinese and English diet-related idioms cultural and figurative meaning contrast
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Literature Review 1
2.1 Relevant Studies about Idioms 1
2.2 Thesis Structure 5
3 The Contrast of the Cultural and Figurative Meaning between the Chinese and English Diet-related Idioms 6
3.1 Similarities 6
3.1.1 Link staple food to people’s living and life 6
3.1.2 Other Idioms in English and Chinese with the Same Images and the Same Meanings 7
3.2 Differences 9
3.2.1 Idioms in English and Chinese with Different Images but the Same Meanings 9
3.2.2 Idioms in English and Chinese with the Same Images but Different Meanings 10
Conclusion 14
Acknowledgements 16
Bibliography 17
1 Introduction
Diet is a basic part for people’s living. Therefore, in the long history of the development of human beings, a great number of idioms come out naturally and influence our mind and culture.
Besides, different geography, climate, political or economic conditions produce different or similar food and relevant culture. Those are the source of the rich diet-related idioms. In China, as it’s warm and wet in southern area, people usually plant rice; in northern area, people usually grow wheat, sorghum and other crops due to the cold and dry climate. However, in Britain, as the climate and geography suit raising livestock, British people have meat and milk as main food. The idiom “One man’s meat is another’s poison” illustrates it best.