LectureLanguageandCulture讲义.ppt

Lecture Fifteen: Language and Culture Wang Xiang Different gestures 1. the ring gesture: In America, it means OK. It’s great. In Japan it means money; In France it means zero or worthless; In Tunisia “I’ll kill you.” 2. The single finger beckon: In America it simply means: come here. In Yugoslavia and Malaysia it is only used for beckoning animals. In Indonesia and Australia it is used for beckoning prostitutes. 3. The thumbs-up sign: In Britain it means OK and is also used as a sign for hitch-hiking. In Greece it is an insult. Languages and color related associations Red——红色 红色是中国文化中的基本崇尚色 吉祥、喜庆： “红娘” “大红灯笼”, “大红喜字”, “红火”, “红尘” 革命和进步： “红色政权”, “红军”, “又红又专” 顺利、成功： “走红”, “红极一时”, “红人”, “分红”, “红包” 美丽、漂亮： “红妆” (女子盛妆), “红袖” (艳妆女子), “红颜” Red: 贬意相当强 “火”、“血”, 残暴、流血：the red rules of tooth and claw (残杀和暴力统治), red revenge (血腥复仇), a red battle (血战) 激进、暴力革命)： red hot political campaign (激烈的政治运动), red activities (左派激进活动) 危险、紧张：red alert, a red adventure story (一个令人紧张的冒险故事), a red flag 放荡、淫秽：a red waste of his youth (他那因放荡而浪费的青春), Is she really so red as she is painted？(难到她真的象人们所描绘的那样放荡吗？) Black — 黑色 严肃、正义：“黑脸”包公 邪恶、反动：“黑心肠”, “黑幕”, “黑帮”, “黑手”, “黑名单” 犯罪、违法: “黑道”, “黑店”, “黑市”, “黑钱” Black: 基本禁忌色 死亡、凶兆、灾难: Black Mass (安灵弥撒), wear black for her father (戴孝), black words (不吉利的话), a black letter day (凶日). 邪恶、犯罪: Black Man (邪恶的恶魔), a black deed (极其恶劣的行为), black guard (恶棍、流氓), blackmail. 耻辱、不光彩: a black mark (污点), a black eye (丢脸、坏名声). 沮丧、愤怒: black dog (沮丧情绪), The future looks black (前途暗淡), He gave me a black look (他怒气冲冲地看着我)。 White — 白色 白色是基本禁忌词, 白色是枯竭而无血色、无生命的表现 死亡、凶兆: “白事”, “白幡”. 腐朽、反动、落后: “白专道路”. 失败、愚蠢、无利可得: “白旗” “白痴”, “白忙”. 奸邪、阴险: “唱白脸”. 知识浅薄、没有功名: “白丁”、 “白面书生”. White: 高雅纯洁，崇尚色。 纯真无邪: a white soul (纯洁的心灵). 正直、诚实: a white spirit (正直的精神), white men (高尚、有教养的人). 幸运、吉利: one of the white days of sb’s life (某人生活中的吉日之一), white magic(有天使相助的法术). 合法、无恶意: white market (合法市场), white list (经过批准的合法明单), a white lie. Yello