英汉谚语的比较
[Abstract] Proverbs are the cream of a language. They reflect the relationship between language and culture. Human beings’ common social activities are in many aspects similar, so English and Chinese proverbs have similarities. Because of the cultural differences, English and Chinese proverbs have differences in their detailed contents. The author compares their similarities and differences and also proposes that English and Chinese proverbs will break the boundary and accomplish interfusion. English and Chinese proverbs have similar origin and similar linguistic characters. They both originate from folk life, mythology, literary works and from other languages. Differences between English and Chinese proverbs also exist. That is different geography; different history customs; different religions and different value concepts.[Key Words] proverbs; similarities; differences; interfusion
[摘 要] 谚语是语言的一个重要组成部分，是各国语言文学艺术宝库中的一朵奇葩。谚语体现了语言与文化的关系。由于人类的普遍社会活动和心理思维过程有许多共同之处，因此英汉谚语也存在着相同之处。但由于各国具体历史文化背景的'不同，所以英汉谚语又存在着差异。本文分析了英汉谚语的相同点与不同点，并提出英汉谚语在跨文化交际中的渗透与融合。英汉谚语有着相同的起源和语言特点。都来自民间生活，神话传说，文学作品和外来语。英汉谚语的语言具有简炼和生动形象的特点。但从具体内容来看，英汉谚语表现了不同的地理、历史、宗教和文化价值观念。最后指出随着世界文化的交流，谚语逐渐打破国家和民族的界限，英汉谚语在互相渗透与融合。
[关键词] 谚语；相同点；不同点；融合
1. Introduction
The definition of proverb by Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary is “short well- known saying that states a general truth or gives advice.” (精练的俗语，或为普遍道理或为劝诫语) Wu Zhankun said that proverbs are the crystal of national wisdom and experience. They are frequently used orally and handed down from generation to generation and usually give people information and speak the truth. They are short sentences with common style, concise structure, and vivid language.[1] Wang Qin said that proverbs are the summing up of practical experiences. They are the oral forms of language that give people experience, advice or warning. [2] The great English philosopher Francis Bacon once said:“The genius, wit and spirit of a nation are discovered in its proverbs.”
From these definitions, we can see common characters of proverbs. Proverbs are the crystal of the national wisdom and experience. Proverbs are colloquial, so they are very easy to be remembered and handed down. They usually give people advice and warning.
Proverbs are the cream of a language. Language and culture are tightly interacted with each other; each influencing and shaping the other. Language is part of culture. The Chinese language is part of China culture and English language is part of English culture. Language is the carrier and container of culture. Human knowledge and experience are described and stored in language.[3] As a part of language, proverbs closely integrated with the society and culture. Proverbs reflect many aspects of the nation such as geography, history, religious faith and values.
English and Chinese belong to two different language systems, having great differences in their cultures. But human beings’ common social activities and emotional reflection and observation of the world are in many aspects similar. So not only differences but also many similarities exist in English and Chinese proverbs. With the communication of world, English and Chinese proverbs are permeating and interfusing each other.
2. Similarities between English and Chinese proverbs
The similarities between English and Chinese proverbs mainly lie in their origins and linguistic characters.
2.1 Similar origins
Proverbs are concise, vivid and common short sentences which be used and passed on orally. They are the summing up of the experience in the production struggle and the social life and the crystal of wisdom. [4] An English proverb itself tells us that“Proverbs are the daughter of experience.” From these we can find that English and Chinese proverbs enjoy the similar origin: they both originate from people’s daily life and experience. Specifically speaking, they both come from folk life, mythology, literary works and from other languages.
2.1.1 Originating from folk life
Proverbs are the summary of people’s daily life and experience, and closely related to the practice of people’s life and work, revealing a universal truth from details so as to enlighten people. There are many proverbs originated from folk life. They are created by working people, such as farmers, workmen, hunters, businessmen, army-men and so on. They use familiar terms that were associated with their own fields. E.g.:
Farmers created the following proverbs:
(1) Make hay while the sun shines.
(2) April rainy for corn, May for grass.
(3)肥不过春雨, 瘦不过秋霜。
(4)春天不忙，秋后无粮。