中西方文化中中的动物差异(英文版).doc

The Difference of Animals Between China and English Language reflects culture. Chinese culture is typical intensive cultivation and is rooted in agriculture. Therefore, many Chinese sayings are connected with land, agriculture or farming activities. English culture, on the contrary, is coastal commerce and there are many sayings closely linked with sea, sailing and fishing activities. Now let me show you some details of animal differences between China and English in the followings： Snakes are dangerous animals in both English and Chinese cultures. In ancient Chinese or in Chinese mythology, however, the snake and dragon sometimes are inseparable. Fu Xi and Nv Wa are regarded as the first ancestors of the Chinese nation who are said to have a human-head with a snake with a snake body. People who were born in the year of the snake also say that they were born in the year of the young dragon. This associative meaning of the snake is in a positive sense. A dragon is an evil and strong embodiment in English. It often causes great disasters and guards some mysterious fortunes, as is told in British legends. In Chinese culture, on the contrary, a dragon is a symbol of extreme honor and great power. Westerners take dogs as their friends and companions, so that in English dogs are used in the commendatory sense in most cases. The connotation of the dog in Chinese is more derogatory, except a few cases indicating the loyalty to its master. There are also some common sayings about animals in our daily life, it is very convenient for us to express, for instance: Some common sayings Top dog 优胜者Clever dog聪明的小孩Big dog要人Dead dog没用的人Under dog 失败者Dirty dog道德败坏的人Dumb dog沉默寡言的人Gay dog快活的人Laze dog 懒汉Sea dog 老手 Love me, love my dog.爱屋及乌 Every dog has its day.凡人皆有得意日 Give a dog a bad name and hang it.欲加之罪，何患无词 You dog.你这狗东西That dog.那狗东西 A lion at home, a mouse abroad.在家如狮，在外如鼠。A rat crossing the street is chased by all.老鼠过街，人人喊打。He was very dangerous, like a wolf in sheep's clothin