1、Comparison of English and Chinese Taboos 英汉禁忌语的比较 英语专业毕业论文Comparison of English and Chinese Taboos英汉禁忌语的比较 摘 要禁忌语既是人类社会普遍存在的一种复杂的文化现象，又是不同社会的人们的一种约定俗成。在禁忌的对象、禁忌习俗、禁忌心理等方面，不同民族既有独特性又有共同性。在跨文化交际中，禁忌无处不在，并对人们有着强有力的现实约束力。本论文在前人研究的基础上，比较英语和汉语中的禁忌语。运用举例的方法，分析总结语音、词汇方面英汉禁忌语的共性，中西方在隐私、数字、称呼方面禁忌语的差异。从民族文化和交际
2、者自身情况两方面因素分析由英汉禁忌语引起的跨文化交际问题的原因，针对由禁忌语引起的跨文化交际冲突提出防范对策，从而帮助人们在中英跨文化交际中达到更好的交际效果。关键词：禁忌语 比较 防范对策ABSTRACTTaboo is not only a complex cultural phenomenon of human society, but also established by usage. In the long-term practice, the human built and developed constantly with their own language and cult
3、ure, while established different language patterns and cultural circles. In cross-cultural communication, taboo exists everywhere and has a strong practical binding to people.On the basis of previous studies, this thesis compares taboo words in English and Chinese. With the method of ensample, peopl
4、e can analyze and summarize the commonness between English and Chinese taboo words over voice, vocabulary, and the conceptual differences in privacy, number and name between China and English-speaking countries. This thesis analyzes the factors leading the differences among taboo words based on the
5、impact of national culture on taboos words and the participants personal circumstances, and propose preventive measures to solve the conflicts caused by taboo words in intercultural communication. Thus the communication in cross-culture communication can achieve higher level.KEY WORDS: taboo words c
6、omparison preventive strategy CONTENTSAcknowledgements- Abstract (Chinese) - Abstract (English) - 1. Introduction-12. Aspects of Taboos-32.1 Origin and History-32.2 Performance-42.2.1 Appellation-42.2.2 Question Words-42.2.3 Sensitive Topics-52.2.4 Obscene, Profane and Abusive Words-52.3 Pragmatic F
7、eatures of Taboos in Intercultural Communication-62.3.1 Universality-62.3.2 Transmutability-62.3.3 Nationality-72.3.4 Succession-72.3.5 Class Character-72.3.6 Circumbendibus-83. The Similarities between Chinese and English Taboo Words-83.1 In Pronunciation-83.2 In Vocabulary- 93.2.1 Death-93.2.2 Toi
8、let-93.2.3 Curse-93.2.4 Disease and Disability-93.2.5 Sexism-104. The Differences between Chinese and English Taboo Words-104.1 In Privacy- 104.2 In Numbers- 114.3 In Names-115. Reasons to Cause Conflict-115.1 The Impact of National Culture on Taboo Words- 125.2 The Impact of Participants Personal C
9、ircumstances- 145.2.1 Age-145.2.2 Sex-145.2.3 Cultural Training-145.2.4 Relationship between Communicators-155.2.5 Occasions-155.2.6 Social Factors-156. The Solutions to Avoid Conflicts-156.1 Avoidance- 176.2 Euphemism- 176.3 Hiding Truth-186.4 Neutral-187. Conclusion-197.1 Summary- 197.2 Suggestion
10、s for Further Research- 20Bibliography-21 1. IntroductionLanguage is a social phenomenon, which determines that language system is not a closed system, but linked inextricably with others. Chomsky once said “Peoples language is always affected by various forms of social and cultural factors. When we
11、 study the language, it is of some people that might be called human nature of things, that the psychological characteristics with humans, as far as we know, these features are unique to humans.” Obviously, language is the embodiment of human nature. It reflects a culture and the mode of thinking. A
12、s we all know, culture is the sum of beliefs, habits, living patterns and behaviors for different nationalities. Different nations have different cultural backgrounds, which influence the development of their language. As the carrier of culture, a language also shows the specific character to its na
13、tion. Meanwhile, language is a tool for humans thought and communication. Though arbitrary is the nature of language, when certain words have been mentioned, certain scene will present in peoples eyes and cause psychological reactions. As a result, people expect to avoid or indirect reference the un
14、happy words. This is the phenomenon of taboo language. For foreign language learners, learning a foreign language is not only to learn the language, but also to understand its culture. It is the combination of going through complex psychological processes and exploring ways of thinking and psycholog
15、ical characteristics under different cultural background.In the past two decades, with the process of human globalization and information, people in different regions with different cultural backgrounds communicated with each other more and more frequently. Cross-cultural communication has become an
16、 important feature to the world. In humans lifetime, they receive or send information all the time. Verbal language becomes the most important form of communication. However, in cross-cultural communication, lacking the knowledge of foreign language and the understanding of alien culture often lead
17、the failure and errors. For example, making a circle with the thumb and forefinger and straightening the other three fingers represent “Victory” in the United States, “Insulting” in Brazil and “Money” in Japan. If people only know its meaning as “Victory”, it will bring puzzle and misunderstanding t
18、o Japanese people and Brazilians.Clearly, cultural discrepancy of communicators has seriously affected communication, and is an important feature which causes the failure of cross-cultural communication. Taboo is one of the most important factors leading culture conflict. Therefore, the study of tab
19、oos is an important theoretical and practical issue in the study of cross-cultural pragmatic. Though, the study of taboos on intercultural communication has important theoretical significance and value in the studies of contemporary linguistics. The academia does not pay enough attention to this sub
20、ject. Some western scholars began to focus on relevant topics from the 50th in the 19th century. Then, the study gradually expanded all around the world. From the contents view of cross-cultural communication study, mainly related to: the Cultural Differences of Speech Communication and the Differen
21、ces of Non-verbal Communication. The emphasis of researches biased toward experience and practice. The substance is extensive, but the system is bulky. In brief, the study went according to linguistics-strict system with narrow content. Studies of cross-cultural pragmatics started relatively late in
22、 our country. He Daokuan and Hu Wenshi are the earliest scholars of this field at home. Together with other scholars promoting, the development of this field and plays an active role in this area. However, there are still problems on this subject in domestic research. Some researches talked in generalities. Lackin
