1、Comparative study on the characteristics between English and Chinese idioms,英汉习语特点对比,姓名：高东东班级：英语05-2指导教师：巨积兰,The body of the paper:,Part(4)Conclusion idioms,Part(3)Characteristics of idioms,Part(2)Classifications of idioms,Part(1)Definitions of idioms,一 Definitions of idioms,English Dictionaries giv
2、e“idiom”a Varity of definitions.,1 Longman Active English-Chinese Dictionary (1990) defines an idiom as “a phrase which means something different from the meanings of the separate words”.,2 The concise Oxford Dictionary (2000) gives such a definition as “a group of words established by usage and hav
3、ing a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words”.,3. Longman Dictionary of contemporary English (1998) gives the definitive “ a phrase which means something different from them meanings of the separate words from which it is formed ”. 4.Websters New World Dictionary of the American la
4、nguage (2nd college edition,1972)gives this definition “an accepted phrase, construction, or expression contrary to the patterns of the language having a meaning different from the language or having a different from the literal”.,二 Classifications of idioms,English idioms mainly include:(1) Idiomat
5、ic phrases such as “to have ones head in clouds”, “the man in the streets”; (2) proverbs such as “many men, many minds”,” No man is born wise or learned”; (3) Common sayings “to charge someone an arm and a leg”, “going banana”; (4) Allusion such as “much cry and little word”, “skeleton in the cupboa
6、rd”; (5) Slang “slang off”.,Chinese idioms generally include:(1) set phrase especially the four-word set phrases “气贯长虹”，“国泰民安”; (2) proverbs “好事不出门,坏事传千里”; (3) common saying “天下无难事, 只怕有心人”; (4) allusion “青女素娥”; (5) a two-part allegorical saying “肉包子打狗-有去无回”,三 There are mainly four kinds of character
7、istics,3.1Different origins, so different characteristics (living-soundings, habits, customs, origins)3.2 The different connotation of the national culture3.3The image symbol in Chinese and English idioms3.4Both have the same function,3.1Analysis the origins , got results,3.1.1 The mass of people is
8、 the creator of idioms of both languages 3.1.2 There are many Chinese idioms abut farming, While there are many English idioms about sailing . 3.1.3Different idioms originate from different customs and reflect them. 3.1.4Idioms deriving from military and history event 3.1.5Deriving from myth 3.1.6De
9、riving from allegory 3.1.7Alluding to well-known literary words 3.1.8Deriving from religions and beliefs,In any country, the national characteristics are reflected not only in the native language, but also in the connotation of the national culture. Idiom has different symbolic meaning. The same obj
10、ect has different, even completely contrary meaning between English culture and Chinese culture Take dragon and dog for example,3.2The different connotation of the national culture,4.1 Similarities in meaning and symbolStrike while the iron is hot 趁热Follow in somebodys footsteps 步入后尘Beauty is in the
11、 eye of the beholder 情人眼里出西施A yes man 跟屁虫,四 The characteristics of image symbol,4.2 Similarities in meaning, differences in symbolHold a wolf by the ears 骑虎难Like a rat in the hole 翁中捉鳖A lion in the way 拦路虎Have a card up ones sleeve 胸有成竹Sit on the fence 脚踩两只船（随风倒）,4.3 Similarities in symbol, but not
12、with the literal meaning In the same boat 指处于困境而不是同舟共济的意思Childs play 简单容易而不是视同儿戏的意思To be touch and go 指危险处境而不是一触即发的意思,4.4Similarities in symbol, opposite in meaning . Like a fish out of water 与如鱼得水意义相反Many a good cow hath a bad calf 与虎父无犬子意义相反Cry stinking fish 与王婆卖瓜意义相反Hard words break no bones 与恶语伤
13、人六月寒意义相反,(1) Persuading people to be kind已所不欲勿施于人 Do as you would be done好有好报 One good turn deserves another慈悲心肠 Milk of human kindness既往不咎 Let bygones be bygones(2) Encouraging people to be active and venturous 天行健，君予以自强不息 God helps those who help themselves有志者，事竟成 Where there is a will，there is a
14、way不入虎穴，焉得虎子 Nothing venture，nothing have(3) Persuading people to be dogged once determined 不成功便成仁 Do or die一不做，二不休 0ver shoes over boots有始有终 From beginning to end,3.4 Both have the same function,五 Conclusion,To sum up, Comparative study on the characteristics between English and Chinese idioms can help bridge the cultural gaps and enhance the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication. Also it can help English learners to have a better understanding of idioms and arouse their interest in the study of idioms and that of the language as a whole,2009-06-13,Thank you,
