the cultural connotation of “colorful ” Words in English and Chinese
...red---faced; her face turned red showing embarassment (as it does in Chinese“脸红”) white has certain similar connotations: purity, innocence,(洁白，清白无辜) 2.3Detailed analysis of those expressions RED This color is usually associated with celebrations and joyful association. This is in English-speaking countries as well as in China, So in English one finds, for example, “red-letter days”---holidays such as Christmas and other special days. Such days are printed in red on calendars, rather than in black for ordinary days. Another example is to “paint the town red”—meaning to celebrate widy, to go out to drink and have a good time; “roll out the red carpet for someone”, meaning to give a lavish welcome, as in: “ He was the first European head of state to visit their county, and they rolled the red carpet for him. In Chinese there is the example of “红双喜“—double happiness written in red – the traditional symbol for an event of special joy, such as a wedding, Similarity, in “开门红”the color red is symbolic of good fortune. This expression, however, should not be translated literally, but explained as meaning “to begin well”, “to make a good start”. Red is also associated with certain emotions. In English , “to become red –faced” or “her face turned red” shows embarrassment, as it does in Chinese “脸红”. But some English expressions involving color red may not, be so easily understood by Chinese. What is the meaning of “to see red” and “waving a red flag”? Both are concerned with the cultural gaps between English and Chinese. They would be discussed in next chapter. WHITE. To most Chinese and westerns, white has certain similar connotations: purity, innocence, (洁白，清白无辜). But does this apply to the English term “white .lie” can a lie be innocent? The answer also lies in the gaps between English and Chinese , which will be discussed in next part. 2.4geperalazation of the cultural overlaps It can be seen from these examples that the English—speaking people have very similar associations of some colors as Chinese do. Since then, similarities in the connotation of color words in the two languages should strive to find “cultural equivalents” in cross—cultural communication and translation rather than translate the color words directly. Sometimes, we should do literal translation for it can not only keep the “cultural color” of the source language, but also introduce those vivid descriptions of color words to overseas reader. In this way, readers have an opportunity to learn more culture from foreign languages. Translation, which is a way of cross—cultural communication, is both translation of language and translation of culture. Actually, in English, many inversions of words have been generally accepted in Chinese such as “culture color”(文化色彩) and “in the red”(赤字)evidently “in the red” has been taken over in Chinese, as can be seen by the term 赤字. 3 Cultural Gap Connotation of words varies from different cultures. Since human beings have been living in various geographical position, historical stages with different cultural surroundings, the connotations of many color words are directly influenced by those important factors. 3.1 Color words with national or historical characteristics Because of different cultural background, especially the traditional cultural differences some color words have their own national or historical characteristics. One case in point is RED. Red is the color associated with revolution and socialism. Expressions using “red”, such as “red guard(红卫兵)exist in both English and Chinese. The English word “Red” with a capital “R”, is often used as a synonym for a communist, usually in a derogatory sense. With certain Chinese expressions, however, the word “red” does not help convey the meaning in English. For example, “red and expert” for “又红又专” is not as helpful as “both socialisleminded and professionally qualified. Likewise, “一颗红心”, “a red heart” would not be understood unless explained as “loyal to the party, having socialist virtues. 3.2 Color words with certain emotions RED is also associated with certain emotions. In English, to become “red-faced” or her face “turned red” shows embarrassment, as it does in Chinese “脸红”. But some English expressions are involving the color red may not be so easily understood by Chinese. What is the meaning of “to see red” and “waving a red flag”? Both are associated with anger. The former means to be made angry or to become angry suddenly, the latter means doing something that cause quick anger in other people, e.g., The mere mention of his halted cousin’s name was like waving a red flag in front of him. What should the English be for “红光满面”? Obviously, not “Your face is very red”, for that would mean embarrassment. “A ruddy complexion” mean having a healthy pink glow, but does not carry the additional Chinese meaning of “energy and vigor. One might say “ You look so healthy and full of pep”, or “You look the very picture of health and energy” here, red need not be mentioned at all. 3.3 Color words having nothing to do with color It should be mentioned that in translating from Chinese to English, care should be taken with Chinese terms or expressions that contain the word “白”. In some cases, 白 may refer to the color, but the English equivalent of the tern or expression usually does not have the word “white”, as in “白菜”(Chinese cabbage), “白熊”(polar bear), “白蚁”(termite). In other cases, 白has nothing to do with color at all; the meaning might be something like “in vain”, as in “白费事”(all in vain, a waste of charge, for nothing) or 白 might mean “pain”, “unadulterated”, as in “白开水”(boiled water), “白肉”(plain boiled pork). It might even have no generalized meaning that is apparent, as in “坦白”(to confess, to make a clean breast of things), “白痴”(idiot), “白话”(vernacular), etc. The important thing to remember is that not all that is 白 is white. 3.4 Cultural gaps contained in different colors What does “green with envy” mean? Do people turn green when they have feeling of envy? If “Paul was in blue mood, what kind of mood was he in? Was he joyful, excited, sad, or what? In the expression above, “green” and “blue” obviously do not mean just the color. Each has additional meaning—certain cultural association—that are not evident from the words alone. In this section, the cultural associations of certain colors will be discussed, with “colorful” phrases and expressions in both English and Chinese used as illustration. 3.4.1 The most typical shocking to Westerners The connotation of the color “white” in the Chinese expression “红白喜事” would be most confusing to most westerners. It would probably “be best not to translate the color at all and merely say “weddings and funerals”. This is because “white” is the traditional color for brides at western weddings. To have “white” at funeral would be offensive; to have “funerals” described as “happy occasions(喜事) would be absolutely shocking to westerner, although the expression reflects a certain philosophic attitude towards death of the Chinese. WHITE. We have concluded that to most Chinese and westerners, “white” has certain similar connotation: purity, innocence, “浩白，清白无辜”. But does this apply to the English term “white lie”? Can a lie be innocent? The answer is that “a white lie” is supposed to be a harmless one. For example, an older sister might say to a younger sister and her boyfriend: “You two go ahead to the movie. I’ve got a lot of wok tonight. Thanks anyway.” She knows that the two want to go out alone and she was invited just for the sake of politeness. So she make up the excuse that she has a lot of work to do. This is a white lie, one by which no harm or deceit is intended. 3.4.2 Green GREEN Besides “green with envy”, English has the term “green-eyed monster” or just “green-eyed”—both meaning jealous, envious. However, in Chinese, an expression often used to describe envy or jealousy is “眼红” or “害了红眼病”—literally “red-eyed”. Quite a different color for the same feeling! Interestingly, in the old days, the Chinese expression 戴绿帽子(literally to wear a green hat or a green head hand) meant to be cuckold. In English, “green” is also often used to indicate lacking in experience, training or knowledge, as “You are expecting too much of him. He is still green, you know”. Similar in meaning is greenhorn—a person lacking experience, or a newcomer who is not familiar with local customs; the term is often used for immigrants and is mildly derogatory. 3.4.3 Yellow Yellow appears in such Chinese expressions as “黄色电影，黄色书刊， 黄乐（黄色流行音乐）”. How should these be translated into English? Not as yellow movies, yellow books, yellow music. Such terms would not be understood. For “黄色” one might use pornographic, trashy, obscene, filthy, or vulgar , as in pornographic pictures, obscene movies, filthy books, vulgar music. Yellow does appear in the English phrase “yellow journalism”—a kind of journalism with heavy emphasis on scandals, or presenting ordinary news in a sensational manner, sometimes even distorting the facts to create a sensational effect. Also, in most American homes one can find a big thick book called Yellow Pages. This is a book with the telephone numbers of different shops, businesses, organizations, etc, arranged according to different categories; for example, all the airlines, all the hospitals. It is a most useful book. Its pages are yellow, but it is not a “黄色书”in the Chinese sense. 3.4.4 Black BLACK in both English and Chinese there are various terms indicating that black is often associated with negative qualities: blacklist (黑名单),black market(黑市) black-hearted(黑心的) and a number of others. Interestingly, in business English, “in the black” has a good meaning; i. e, running a business profitably. Example: Since he became manager, the company has been running in the black. The opposite of this is “be in the red” meaning running a business at a loss, not making profit. These terms came from the color of the ink used in keeping accounts. Evidently “in the red” has been taken over in Chinese, as can be seen by the term “赤子”. 3.4.5 BLUE BLUE In English, blue is usually associated with unhappy feelings. “ In a blue blue mood”, mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, or “having the blues” means a sad, gloomy or depressed mood. Similar in meaning is “a blue Monday”—the first day of work or school after a pleasant, happy weekend. Example: It was blue Monday and he just didn’t feeling like going back to work. Blue is also often associated with high social position or being aristocratic. “He’s a real blue blood,” means he’s from an aristocratic family. Also, in American English, “blue book” is a book with the names of well-known persons, especially government officials. 4 Different Color Words With The Same Cultural Connotation Cultural gaps are also inflected by another circumstances—using different color words to express the same connotation. Language mirrors culture. Culture and language are not only interrelated, but also interact on each other. Language, on the one hand, is strongly affected by culture, and on the other hand, also reflects cultural difference and cultural influence from time to time. But different cultures of different countries have different environments, different customs and different value concepts. Therefore, different cultures though interest on each other, still last differences. But sometimes, just take color words for example, they may use different color words to express the same connotation. Different color in the two languages may arouse the same or similar emotions and associations, as in the following example: 青: “qing” can be green, as in green pepper(青椒); blue, as in blue sky(青天); or black, in black cloth(青布) 黄: huang is usually yellow, but may be brown, as in sky been paste(黄酱), or golden, a sin gold(黄金). Besides “green with envy”, English has the term “green-eyed monster” or just “green-eyed”—both meaning jealous, envious, however, in Chinese, an expression often used to describe envy or jealousy is “眼红”or “害了红眼病”—literally red-eyed. Quite a different color for the same feeling! Other colors carry certain connotations as well, but will not be mentioned here. 5Cultural Connotation Gap 5.1 The Existence of Cultural Connotation Gap Some colors have certain associated characteristics in one culture, but never in the other. This is what cultural connotation gap refer to without knowing the cultural connotation gap, serious blunders may be committed: sometimes misinterpreting an innocent remark, causing harm or ill-feeling; sometimes mistaking deliberate jibes and sneers as compliment, leading people to laugh up their sleeves. It might pointed out that colors are not always represented the same way in different languages. How they are represented has been the subject of research for a number of years. All languages seem to have terms for “black” and “white”. “red” is found in most languages, but not all. The next most common colors seem to be “yellow” and “green”, then “blue” and “brown”. Some languages have terms that seem to be equivalent, but the boundaries differ on where to separate one color from a neighboring one on the color spectrum. Most Chinese primary colors are the same or similar to those in English. Yet even so, there are difference, as in the examples we have mentioned last chapter: 青: qing can be green, as in green pepper(青椒)；blue, as in blue sky(青天); or black, as in black cloth(青布). 黄：huang is usually yellow, but may be brown, as in say been paste(黄酱), or golden, as in gold (黄金). It is interesting that different languages might use different color terms to describe the same object or phenomenon. An English man’s black tea is not black, but red in Chinese “红茶”; an American might “be bruised black and blue”, but a Chinese would be “被打得轻一块紫一块”.(literally: be beaten blue and purple ). 5.2Complete Connotation Gap Blue is English is often represented by qing(青) such as “青天”(representing blue sky). Therefore, Chinese seldom associate “blue” with any emotion or qualities. Without exaggeration “blue” itself is the cultural connotation gap existing between English and Chinese. In English , “;blue” is usually associated with unhappy feelings. “in a blur mood”, mentioned at the beginning of this part, or “having the blues” means the depressed , sad or gloomy mood. Similar in meaning is “a blue Monday”—the first day of work or school after a pleasant, happy weekend, as in the example: it was blue Monday and he just didn’t feel like going back to work. High school and high social position or being aristocratic are often associated with blue. “blue book” is a book with the names of well-known person, especially government officials. 5.3 the reason for the existence of cultural connotation gap. When difference colors in English and Chinese arouse the same or similar emotions and associations, cultural connotation gaps appear. Though we have concluded that language mirrors culture, culture and language are not only interrelated, but also interact on each other, also reflects cultural influence from time to time. Since different countries have different cultures. But sometimes, just take color words for example, they may use different animal words to explain and express the same connotation. Therefore, colors in English and Chinese may arouse similar or the same emotions and associations. It is necessary to point out that colors are not always represented the same way in different languages. The different ways and means that they are represented in have resulted in the Cultural connotation Gap. 5.3 The Association Between Languages and culture will Affect Many Fields It can be seen that languages differ because of culture. A lot of words about colors in English and Chinese are not merely language signs of colors, but to different cultures. Wang Zuoliang once said: “a translator not only translates separate words, but what he faces is two vastly different cultures.” The associations between languages and culture affect many fields. They have an effect on not only translation, but also intercultural communication and even the choice of trade marks or brand name in another country. 5.4 Red Flag We shall end this chapter with a story about the expressions of an American professor who came to China on a short lecture tour. One of his topic was Cross-Cultural Understanding in International Relations. The lecture was interesting and full of cross-c...