语言与文化-考试重点知识分享.doc

语言与文化 考试重点

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Chapter 1 Language culture and thought
1 properties of language
Language is systematic :which means that it is rule governed
Language is arbitrary :Language consists of arbitrary symbols There is no logical relationship between words and the objects actions or concepts these words are used to refer to(onomatopoeic words and compounds)
Language is symbolic :Words are associated with objects actions and ideas through convention
Language is vocal :This statement means that speech is the primary medium of language
Language is uniquely human :Language is human specific Only human beings possess what can be called language in the true sense of the term
Language is used for communication :Communication is the primary function of language
Language is used to understand and describe the world :
Language is the carrier and container of cultural information :Human beings have been interacting with the world and accumulated their experience and knowledge about the world which are interpreted as cultural information
2 Definitions and properties of culture
2.1 Definitions of culture
In English "culture"is a loan word from Latin in which it mainly meant"cultivating or tilling the land"
2.1.1 Culture in its broad sense
Culture in its broad sense is also called "large C culture" or "academic culture"
Materials man has got to satisfy his needs :Everything manufactured in factories or grown on farmland
Social institutions and organizations man ha established
Knowledge about nature and man himself and artistic development
Language and other communication systems
Customs habits and behavioural patterns
Value systems world views national traits aesthetic standards and thinking patterns
2.1.2 Culture in its narrow sense
Culture in its narrow sense is also called "small c culture"or "anthropological culture"
Culture can be defined as lifeway of a population
2.2 Properties of culture
Culture is human special
Culture is a social phenomenon :This statement emphasizes the contrast between society and nature
Culture is a national phenomenon :Each nation has been living in its unique geographical and historical framework in which a unique culture has been establish and is developing
Culture is also a historical phenomenon ;Each generation inherits the culture established by its forefathers
Culture is general and abstract
3 Relationship between language culture and thought
3.1 Relationship between language and culture
Language is part of culture
Language is the carrier and container of culture
As a mirror of culture language is strongly influenced and shaped by culture
Language also exerts its influence on culture
Language and culture is closely related each influencing and shaping the other
3.2 thought
Thought is the function and product of the human brain
Thought also refers to patterns of ideas characteristic of a social group
3.3 Relationship between language and thought
Language is an instrument used in the communication of thought
Language is closely related to thinking
Language is influenced and shaped by thought
Language is used for conveying ideas its structure and function must reflect these ideas
Language also exerts strong influence on thought
3.4 Concluding remarks on the relationship between language thought and culture
The three aspects interact each influencing and shaping the other two
4 Intercultural communication
Intercultural communication is concerned with communication among people from different cultural backgrounds
Intercultural communication mainly deals with verbal and nonverbal interacting and related factors in intercultural communication
Chapter 2 Words and Meaning
1 What are words and meaning
1.1 Word
Words are units of expression which language users can intuitively recognize in either speech or writing
1.2 Meaning
1.2.1 Conceptual meaning
Conceptual meaning is the basic meaning presented by meaningful linguistic units,the central factor in linguistic communication
The relationship between a word and an object in the real world or a concept in our mind to which the word refer is the conceptual meaning of the word
1.2.2 Connotative meaning
Connotative meaning is the communicative value an expression has in addition to the purely conceptual meaning (woman statesman politician)
1.2.3 Social meaning
Social meaning or stylistic meaning is what a piece of language conveys about the social circumstances (language users settings topics) (domicile residence abode home)
1.2.4 Affective meaning
Affective meaning is communicated when the feelings or attitudes are expressed in language
1.2.5 Reflected meaning
Reflected meaning arises in words of multiple conceptual meaning (the Comforter the Holy Ghost intercourse ejaculation erection)
1.2.6 Collocative meaning
Collocative meaning consists of associations a word gets from those words that are often used together with it (pretty handsome)
1.2.7 Thematic meaning
Thematic meaning is what is communicated by the way in which a speaker or writer organizes a message ordering focus emphasis
1.2.1--1.2.6 :heading associative meaning
2. words and conceptual meaning
2.1 Words and culture-specific conceptual meaning
2.1.1 Words and geography
The United States of America 美利坚合众国 The Mississippi 密西西比河 Superior 苏必利尔湖 Niagara Falls 尼亚加拉大瀑布 Rocky Mountains 落基山脉 Washington 华盛顿 poke 美洲商陆 terrapin 北美泥龟 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 大不列颠及北爱尔兰联合王国 The Thames 泰晤士河 the Channel 英吉利海峡 England 英格兰London 伦敦The Commonwealth of Australia 澳大利亚联邦New South Wales 新南威尔士州Great Barrier Reef 大堡礁 Great Victoria Desert 大维多利亚沙漠 Canberra 堪培拉koala 考拉熊 kangaroo 袋鼠
2.1.2 Words and history
American history
The May flower五月花号The Revolutionary war or War of Independence 独立战争Continental Congress 大陆会议Emancipation Proclamation 解放宣言 Homestead Ac 宅地法案Scalp 波代发头皮Lynch 私刑Cowboy 牛仔 Hippie 嬉皮士
British history
Duck a nobleman holding the highest hereditary title outside the royal family 公爵
Knight a man given the rank of knighthood by the British monarch in recognition of merits in public service 骑士Glorious Revolution 光荣革命Castle 光荣革命Fort 要塞或壁垒式的贸易站
2.1.3 Words and politics
President 总统the elected head of the government in the USA
Congress 国会the federal legislature of the USA
Supreme Court 最高法院the highest judicial body in the USA
Democratic Party 民主党Republican Party 共和党
Queen 女王the female monarch of the UK Prime Minister 首相 the leader of the British government Parliament 议会 the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom
Labour Party 工党 Conservative Party 保守党 Governor-General 总督
2.1.4 Words and the Christianity
Trinity Bible Catholic Orthodox Eastern Church Reformation Protestant Puritan Mass
2.1.5 Words and Holidays
Christmas box(圣诞节礼) Christmas Card(圣诞贺卡) Christmas tree(圣诞树) Christmas pudding(圣诞布丁) Christmas rose(圣诞玫瑰) Christmastide(圣诞节节期) Thanksgiving Day(感恩节) Boxing Day(节礼日) Easter(复活节) St. Valentine’s Day(情人节) April Fool’s Day(愚人节) Anzac Day(新澳军团日)
2.1.6 Words and living styles
Hot dog(热狗) Hamburger(汉堡包) Sandwich(三明治) Pudding(布丁) Salad(沙拉) Whisky(威士忌) Cocktail(鸡尾酒) Drive-ins 汽车的 Diners (用餐) Baseball (垒球) Rugby(橄榄球) Hockey(曲棍球) Water skiing(滑水) Polo(马球) Golf(高尔夫球) Striptease(脱衣舞)Love store(色情商店) X-rated sexploitation movies() Late-late TV shows
2.2 English words that correspond partially in conceptual meaning with their translation equivalents in Chinese.
Intellectuals (知识分子) Social sciences (社会科学)
A Yard(院子) Quadrangle Courtyards (四合院)
Drugstore(AE) Chemist’s shop (BE)(药店)
Chauvinist pig :a guy who believes that woman are inferior
Dude athlete macho stud hunk Don Juan playboy egotist fratty bagger :guys who think they are really cool woman-pleaser types conceited type of people
Turkey nerd jerk prick bastard pimp skinhead redneck dog :they are people a woman may not want to be seen with or want to talk to
Wimp, sissy, homosexual, queer, gay, hippie: 奇怪的, 同性恋者.
Couchwarmer:
Ladies’ man
Man, boy, guy, fellow, gentleman, boyfriend, fiancé, lover, sweet heart: 指男性的
2.3 English words and what may be mistaken for their equivalents in Chinese.
Greenhouse(温室) Busywork(耗时而无价值的工作) Busman’s holiday(消磨于与日常工作类似这活动的假日) Busybody(爱管闲事的人) Housewarming(乔迁之喜) Donkeywork(单调的日常工作) Police action(维和行动) Lowboy(矮脚抽屉柜) Free love(公开同居) First Lady(第一夫人)
High school(中学) Rest room(公共建筑物内的洗水间,厕所)Equalitarianism or egalitarianism(平均主义) Lover(情人) Disinterested(公正的,不偏不倚的) Cooker(炊事用具)Wester(西风)
2.4 Words, conceptual meaning and word formation
General terms
Terms of male
Terms of female
Terms for young
鸡chicken
公鸡 cock
母鸡hen
小鸡chick
鸭duck
公鸭drake
母鸭duck
小鸭duckling
鹅goose
公鹅gander
母鹅goose
小鹅gosling
马horse
公马stallion
母马mare
小马foal
牛cattle, cow
公牛bull
母牛cow
小牛calf
羊sheep
公羊ram
母羊ewe
小羊lamb
猪pig
公猪boar
母猪sow
小猪shoat
狗dog
公狗dog
母狗bitch
小狗puppy
猫cat
公猫tomcat
母猫cat
小猫kitten
鹿deer
公鹿stag
母鹿doe
小鹿fawn

3. Words and associative meaning
3.1 Words and connotative meaning
book: C: contain knowledge and wisdom for people, youth must learn
E: it express ideas for people to consider, to agree or disagree, and to comment
Sexy: C: connotes loose sex morality
E: it is a positive human quality
Old, young: C: young means inexperienced, and inconsistent. Old means mature, skilled and experienced.
E: young means flexible, vigorous, and creative. Old means traditional, senile, and useless.
Dog: C: is very pejorative.
E: it can even be considered as a family member.
Peasant: C: doesn’t have derogatory connotations.
E: it has derogatory
Landlord, capitalist, boss: C: are pejorative in Chinese
E: not
Comrade: C: connotes warmth, friendliness and equality
E: means spies of the Soviet Union
Ambitious, aggressive: C: it is pejorative
E: it is considered good qualities and both positive in meaning.
Self-made man: C:
E: it is positive term. Connoting lack of financial foundation and influential connections.
Individualism: C: it is means selfishness
E: it is positive term
Propaganda: C: it is a neutral term.
E: it is a pejorative term in English
Do-gooder: C: it is means unselfish and helpful
E: it is a pejorative term in English
Spiritual: C: it hasn’t this means in Chinese.
E: it has religious connotation.
3.2 Words and social meaning
British English: spoken in the U.K, Australia, New Zealand, West Indian Isles
American English: spoken in the North America.
BrE
AmE
Chinese
Brooch
Breastpin
胸针
Mackintosh
Raincoat
雨衣
Sweet
Candy
糖果
Flat
Apartment
公寓
Pail
Bucket
水桶
Cellar
Basement
地下室
Tap
Faucet
水龙头
Timetable
Schedule
时间表
Booking office
Ticket office
售票处
Autumn
Fall
秋天
torch
flashlight
手电筒
BrE
AmE
Chinese
Scone
biscuit
软饼
Biscuit
Cracker
饼干
Cracker
Firecracker
爆竹
Corn
Grain
谷物
Maize
Corn
玉米
Jumper
Sweater
毛线衣
Blouse
Jumper
短套衫
Vest
Undershirt
汗衫
Waistcoat
Vest
背心
Purse
Change purse
钱包
Handbag
Purse
手提包
Truck
Flatcar
铁路平板车
Lorry
Truck
卡车
Shop
Store
商店
store
Warehouse
货栈
From English
From French
Meaning in Chinese
Answer
reply
回答
Rest
Repose
休息
Room
Chamber
房间
Bear
Endure
忍受
Woods
Forest
树林
Gift
Present
礼物
Love
Affection
爱情
House
Mansion
房子
King
Sovereign
国王
Wish
Desire
愿望
make
Create
创造
There are also many triples of synonyms in Englsih.
From English
From French
From Latin
Meaning in Chinese
Weak
feeble
Fragile
软弱
Size
Caliber
Magnitude
大小
Empty
Devoid
Vacuous
空的
End
Finish
Complete
结束
Rise
Mount
Ascend
上升
Ask
Question
Interrogate
问
Belly
Stomach
Abdomen
胃、腹
Fire
Flame
Conflagration
火
Time
Age
Epoch
时代
Die
Pass
Decease
死
count
Calculate
compute
算
English has been closely related to Latin as well. They borrowed dozens of words from Latin words entered English. Of course, sets of synonyms in English are not limited to the pairs and triples discussed above.
3.3 Words and affective meaning
sexy, young, dog, ambitious, aggressive, self-made man, individualism, equalitarianism or egalitarianism are positive in English, but pejorative in Chinese
Landlord, capitalist, boss, free love are pejorative in Chinese, but neutral in English
Old, peasant, comrade, do-gooder, propaganda are pejorative in English, but neutral in Chinese.
3.4 Words and reflected meaning
Green house: (E: emphasize its function, while Chinese view its from its physical characteristic.)
Black tea: (E: named it after the colour of tea(leave), C: named it after the colour of tea(water colour)
Ferrous metal: (E: according its ingredients. C: according their colours)
Snakehead: (E: its head is its distinctive feature, C: it is its colour )
Sun spot: (a spot black in colour)
Wall clock: (E: where clocks can be found is the distinctive feature, C: emphasize the ways in which they are used.)
Stop watch: (E: emphasize its mechanic quality, C: lay stress on the purpose for which it is used)
Contact Lenses: (English speaker views the way they used, but Chinese attracted to their invisibility)
Business Card: (it is used stand out in E, and its content is foregrounded in C)
Marble-hearted: (it is a specific term in Englsih, but a general term in Chinese)
Wood pulp：纸浆（english reminds us of the raw material, Chinese term the product）
3.5 Words and collocative meaning.
English terms
Their collocates（配置）
Vice
President, chairman, chancellor, consul, governor, etc
Associate
Professor, editor, director, etc
Depute
Chairman, command-in-chief, mayor, head, etc.
Lieutenant(陆军中尉)
Governor, general, colonel, etc
under
Secretary of States, secretary, etc.
副
总统、主席、市长、总督、国务卿、领事、校长、教授、主编、指挥等
中
将、校等
Vice: one that takes the place of
Associate: having secondary or subordinate status or closely connected(as in function of office) with
Deputy: a second-in-command or assistant who usually takes charge when his superior is absent
Lieutenant: an official empowered for a higher official or an aid or representative of another in the performance of duty.
Under: lower in authority of rand.
Make a road 筑路 Make progress 取得进步 Make efforts 作出努力 Make a poem 作诗
Make one’s position known 表明立场 Make a fire 生火 Make tea 沏茶 Make money 挣钱
Make enemies 树敌 Make peace 讲和 Take a book 拿一本书 Take a city 占领一座城
Take an umbrella 带一把伞 Take the first place 获得第一名 Take one’s leave 告辞
Take cold 感冒 Take a seat 就坐 Take harbour 避入港湾 Take the floor 发言
Take the blame 承担过错 Take a cup of tea 喝一杯茶Take action 采取行动
Take a photograph 照相 Take a bath 洗澡 Look at the blackboard 看黑板
See a film 看电影 Watch TV 看电视 Read a book 看书Visit a friend 看朋友
Go to a doctor 看医生 Depend on circumstances 看情况 Trim one’s sails看风使舵
Open a tin 开罐头 Turn on light 开灯 Switch on TV 开电视Serve a meal 开饭
Show mercy 开恩 Drive a car 开车 Sail a ship 开船 Fly a plane 开飞机
Exploit a mine 开矿 Reclaim wasteland 开荒 Straighten out one’s ideas 开窍
Feel happy 开心Stimulate the appetite 开胃Begin to speak 开腔Fire a gun 开炮
Make war 开战 Crack a joke 开玩笑
Topics for consideration
Chapter 3. Grammar