A Comparative Study on the Cultural Connotations of “Red” in English and Chinese

Abstract

Color terms are abundant in both English and Chinese, such as red, yellow, green and blue. As an important color term in both cultures, “red” is frequently used in our daily life. There are rich cultural meanings behind the word “red”. Different nations of different cultural backgrounds, or individuals from the same nation with the same backgrounds but belonging to different social groups, have different views of various colors in cross-cultural contact. Color perceptions differs, resulting in a sequence of associative meanings for color words. In order to learn English well and communicate successfully with foreigners in cross-cultural communication, it is necessary to make a comparative study on the cultural connotations of "red" in both languages. This thesis makes a comparative study on the semantic meaning, associative meaning and cultural connotations of red in both English and Chinese cultures. Through the comparative study, the thesis reveals the differences and similarities of the cultural connotations of "red” in both languages.