◎艺科论坛◎ 论中西方文化中动物象征意义的差异 宋星星 (南海东软信息技术职业学院,广东佛山528225) 摘要:在人类历史发展的漫长进程中,动物一直与人类保 持着密切联系并对人类的生存、发展有着深刻的影响。这种亲 密无间的关系使得人类对动物产生喜爱、同情、厌恶、恐惧等错 综复杂的情感,人们也常常借动物来寄托和表达人的感情,所以 在中西两种文化中都有许许多多与动物相关的表达方式。本文 2.2.2 Bat To Chinese,the“bat”is a symbol of good fortune,well—being, and happiness—all positive qualities. rhe reason for such ssociataions is probably that the nanle of the creature is pronounced the same as the word“fu”.Thus the traditional design shows the bat 主要阐述的是语言中的词汇表达方式反映了文化发展的差异, 研究了导致文化差异的原因是由于受历史、习俗、价值观念、宗 教信仰等诸方面文化因素的影响,希望可以帮助语言学习者在 翻译、研读中外著作、写作等方面能更好的了解并掌握中英两种 语言赋予动物词汇以各自特定的文化内涵。 关键词:中国文化;西方文化;动物象征意义;文化差异; 因素 l Introduction “Language and culture.intrinsically dependent on each other, have evolved together through the history.”(Claire Kramsch,1998) “On one hand,language as an integral part of human being, permeates his thinking and way of viewing the world,language both expresses and embodies cuhural reality.On the other,language,as a product of culture,helps permeate the culture,and the changes in language uses reflect the cultural changes in return”.(Claire Kramsch』1998)Language is the base of entire cuhure,and it is only in language that culture can be well·presented and handed down from generation to generation.On the other hand,language is influenced and shaped by culture;it reflects language.Language reflects characteristics of culture and predicts the developing orientation of culture: 、 2 Comparison of the Symbolic Meanings of Animals in Chinese and Western Cllltures 2.1 Similar Symbolic Meanings of Animals As the ecological environments of human life are roughly similar.people in China and the West wi11 naturally produce the same or similar association,giving the salne signiifcance of the animal words when they understand animals from the basic attirbutes of the animals.For example,in Chinese,fox is the synonym for cunning and craftiness.When people use such phrases like as cunning as“a fox”,“old fox”to describe a person,they often consider him or her sly and tactfu1.In English speaking countires, fox is also associated with this kind of meaning. 2.2 Different Symbolic Meanings of Animals A few of animals have the saine or similar symbolic meanings both in China and the West,but it is well known that the majority of animals are different in the symbolic meanings because of the different cultural backgrounds.Now.I’11 give several peculiar animals to testify my view. 2.2.1 Dragon and Phoenix Dragon has come to be regarded as the symbol of China and the Chinese,and China is called huge dragon of East.In China,the traditional symbols of royalty are the drgaon and phoenix.The dragon stands for the emperor and the phoenix for the queen. Besides,as an auspicious creature that supposedly brings good luck, the dragon gave rise to the saying that parents‘‘wang zi cheng long”一long to see one’s son become a dragon,that is,to be Successfu】. To Westerners,however,the dragon is often a symbol of evil. They regard the dragon as a fierce monster that destroys some other things;therefore,in their opinion,it must be destroyed. and the deer together is very popular in China,because the words pronounced is the sanle as“fu lu”一good fortune,happiness,wealth and position. In the Western countires.the bat is usually associated with negative qualities.“As blind as a bat”。“carry as a bat”,“He’s a bit batty”typical expressions of the negative associations.They may be even worse.Mention of the bat often evokes the image of an ugly, sinister,blood—sucking creature.This may be caused by the“vampire bat”。 3 Factors Leading to the Different Symbolic Meanings of Animals hTere are many factors affecting cultural differences,which would cause different symbolic meanings of animals between China nad the West.Such factors are as follows: 3.1 Diversity ilf Spiritual Culture 3.1.1 Belief Systems In the Western tradition people believe the universe is created and controlled by a divine power.Man and the universe are separate entities.And therefore.there are laws of nature that must be followed.With such a view of the universe.people in the West developed a dualistic world view.Their goal of life is to be more objective and rationa1.Chang is considered progress.The scientiifc method is usually their approach to problems in life.People are considered as equal to one another.However,people in China regard the universe as a harmoniously serf-operating organism in which each part is related to other parts in a system of hierarchy.With this view of the universe,Chinese developed a holistic world view.They hold man and nature are interrelated:man is a part of nature and man’s goal of life is to keep harmony with nature.Stability is highly valued.Therefore.their attitude toward life tends to be more subjective. 3.1.2 Pattern of Thinking From the pattern of thinking,Chinese pattern of thinking is not the same as the restern.Chinese pattern of thinking is the three— dimensional type,while the Western pattern of thinking is streamlined. 3.1.3 Value Systems Most Western countires value individualism and people strive hard to achieve individual identity in terms of possessions and achievement in their professions.China place high value on the collective.So group harmony and cooperation are preferred,rather than competition. 3.2 Diversity in Behavior Culture 3.2.】 Social Rit1】a】s Chinese people always like to ask the person’s name,age,unit and earnings,who he or she meets.While Westerners quite hate this kind of people who like to ask the other’S age,income,and other personal private matter. hWen Chinese people receive gitfs,they often let them on the edge,nad don’t gaze at the gitfs(for fera other saying they’re rgeedy).On the contrary,Westerners will open the igtfs in the front ◎艺科论坛◎ of the guests and express their satisfaction when they receive gifts. Hospitality is a kind of Chinese quality. 3.2.2 Customs and Habits In western countries,many people like pets.English people transportations for their lives 4 Conclusion According to understanding the differences of the symbolic meanings of animals in Chinese and Western cultures,language learners can use the animal expressions in an appropriate and correct way,also they can avoid misunderstanding in communication and view dogs as human being’s best friends.Many English expressions with the dog can be found,such as:a lucky dog,a clever dog,a top dog;every dog has his day;Love me,love my dog;He works like a dog. reading.and reduce mistakes in translation.What’s more.1anguage learners can understand clearly山e reasons why different countries have different cultures from the aspect of the symbolic meanings of animals.But this paper does not completely reveal the whole reasons.English learners should insist on reading a lot of books and publications to achieve the tsk.As foreign laanguage learners,this study is helpful for language study and culture communication. References: To Chinese people,however,the dog is derogatory term.People have negative attitudes to the animal dog,such as rubbish, henchman.Western customs and habits are different from Chinese ones in many aspects.It is hard for English speakers to understand why senile follower is a pejorative term in Chinese. 3.3 Diversity in History Background Chinese history differs from British and American history.They have their own historical cultures,which reflect the national characteristic.China is an ancient county wirth 5000 years’ agricultural cultivation.In ancient time,agriculture is the fundamental trade,so people are all familiar with farming and they have lots of vocabularies about farming.Besides,the animal cattle re the maain farm labor,which do much farm work for people. Consequently,Chinese people cherish a deep affection for the cattle. [1]Cliare Kramsch.Language and Culture[M].London:Oxford University Press.1998. [2]John B.Thompson.高锯.Ideology and Modem Culture[M]. Ltd:Polity Press,2005. 『3]Zatta,Jane Dick.2005.Animals and Symbolic Boundaries[J]. Papers on Language and Literature.Summer/Fal1. As is known to all,the English people,traditionally,is a nomadic nation.They wandered from place to place,looking or pafsture for its animals and had no fixed place.They like horses and they are good at riding.Horses play more important roles than cattle in England. They are not only as the main entertainments,but also as the main [4]罗明燕.The Influence of Culturla Factors on the Images of Animals in Chinese and English Proverbs[J].西南科技大学 学报:哲学社会科学版,2006,23(3). [5]宋莉.Gathway to Intercultural Communication[Z].哈尔滨: 哈尔滨工业大学出版社,2004. 驴驴 舻 驴驴驴 痧护 驴 痧驴驴 痧 (上接第329页)把握专业动态、适应社会需求、融人社会发展 的过程,为培养社会适用的高素质的美术类人才奠定了坚实可 靠的基础。 总之,围绕“培养什么人”和“如何培养人”这两个恒久的 问题,遵循高等教育教学规律,认真践行“诚实做人、踏实做事、 扎实做学问”的教育理念,积极培养学生创新意识、创造能力和 创业本领,教、学、研紧密结合,占领学生创新发展的主阵地,为 地方文化建设与社会发展积极输送了大批优秀的美术专业 人才。 [2]杨德广.高等教育学概论[M].上海:华东师范大学出版 社,2010. [3]奚传绩.美术教育丛谈[M].杭州:浙江人民美术出版社, 2O12. [4]骆睁.中美教师教育实践课程比较研究[M].北京:中国社 会科学出版社,2012. [5]钱初熹.当代发达国家艺术教育理论与实践[M].上海:华 东师范大学出版社,2010. [6]傅幼康.走进美术新课程[M].南京:江苏美术出版社, 2012. 参考文献: [1]张道森.美术教育学[M].上海:上海三联书店出版社 2012. 作者简介:张静(1982一),女,湖北荆州人,硕士学位,长江大学艺术学 院讲师,研究方向:美术学专业的教学和研究工作。 护 痧驴 (上接第331页)和制作型人才。高校应重点培养设计创意与 运营推广型的高端动漫人才。高校还可以尝试独立投资开发 动漫项目,既可锻炼师生,又可以创立品牌,甚至开发衍生产 品,达到产、学、研一体化教学的目的。 广西高校要克服重重困难,努力创新,积极探索,不断地改 革人才培养模式,加强学生实践操作能力,调整专业课程内容, 加强与动漫企业的合作,创新动漫人才培养模式,为发展广西 动漫事业作出应有的贡献。 参考文献: [1]王旭.探析中国民族动画创作的对策与出路[J].美术大 观,2009(11). [2]邹迎九.广西动漫产业集群化发展的路径选择[J].新闻记 者,2012(3)。 [3]卢斌,等.中国动漫产业发展报告(2011)[M].北京:社会 科学文献出版社,2011:28-33. [4]何慧春.谈民族传统文化在动漫角色设计过程中的作用 [N].怀化学院学报,2009(12). 作者简介:邹燕,贺州学院艺术学院讲师,研究方向:动漫设计。