Abstract

 

Color words are used by humans to describe the color properties (hue, lightness, and saturation) of things. Due to the differences in the thinking way, natural environment, social customs and religions of English people and the Chinese people, there are differences between the connotations of English and Chinese color words, but there are some similarities. This dissertation, first of all, finds literature to have a basic understanding of color words, then it comparatively analyzes basic color words in English and Chinese, and again it analyzes the reasons for different connotations，in order to better understand the connotation of color words, use color words reasonably, and promote cross-cultural communication.

 

Key words : color words；English and Chinese；comparative analysis; connotation

 

Contents

中文摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 4

2.1 Review of foreign literature 4

2.2 Review of domestic literature 7

3. Comparative Analysis of English and Chinese Color Words 9

3.1 Vocabulary association 10

3.2 Lexical association coincidence 12

3.3 Lexical association collision 14

3.4 Lexical association vacancy 15

4. Reasons of Different Connotations of English and Chinese Color Words 16

4.1 The different thinking way 16

4.2 The different natural environment and social customs 18

4.3 The different religions 19

5. Conclusion 20

References 22