On the Cultural Connotations of English and Chinese Basic Color Terms
BY LIUXIUYAN
Prof.JIANGBAOCHENG, tutor
Submitted to the B.A. Committee in partial Fufillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts
in the English Department of
Hebei Teachers University
July7, 2011
摘要：语言和文化之间有着密切的联系。一方面，语言是文化的一部分，另一方面，构成人类文化的知识
和信仰通常通过语言来传导。因此，只有将语言和文化结合起来才能实现与他人的交流。作为语言的一部
分，颜色词也可以反映出丰富的文化内涵。英语和汉语中有大量表示颜色的词汇，一方面，这些颜色词在
意义上有很多的共同点，然而，从另一方面来说，由于宗教信仰、文化传统、文学艺术、地理环境、政治
理念以及思维方法及生活方式的不同，这些颜色词也存在着很大的差别。对这些差别的忽视将会导致人们
交流的不便。本篇论文共包含七个部分。第一部分主要介绍颜色词的分类和功能，以及颜色词和文化之间
的关系。第二部分是文献综述，主要介绍国内外著名学者对基本颜色词的研究及理念。第三部分主要介绍
中英基本颜色词的分类。在第四部份中，作者将通过具体实例集中探讨中英基本颜色词的文化异同之处，
这也是这篇论文中最重要的部分。之后作者将集中探讨在翻译方法方面中英基本颜色词的文化内涵异同。
此外，作者将列举几种造成中英基本颜色词内涵差异的因素。最后我将结合本篇论文作一系统总结。通过
整篇论文我们可以看出，虽然颜色词只占据语言的一小部分，但它和语言一样在文化交流中发挥着重要的
作用。在多元化社会的今天，理解和掌握颜色词的文化内涵对促进文化交流是非常重要的。
关键词：文化内涵； 基本颜色词； 影响因素； 文化差异。
Abstract There exists a close relation between language and culture. On the one hand, language is a part of
culture; on the other hand, the knowledge and beliefs that constitute people’s culture are habitually encoded and
transmitted in language. Accordingly, only to combine language with culture can we succeed in communicating
with each other. The color words, which belong to language, can reflect the rich cultural connotations as well.
There are a large number of color terms both in English and Chinese. There are a lot of similarities in the
meanings of these color terms. However, on the other hand, due to the differences of religious belief, cultural
tradition and customs, literature and art, geographic environment, politics and cognitive psychology and living
style, the cultural connotations of these color terms also differ greatly. Ignorance of these differences will lead to
inconvenience in people’s communication. This thesis consists of seven parts all together. The first part is the
introduction, including the classification and functions of color terms and the relationship between color terms and
culture. The second part is the literature review, containing the study and ideas of the researchers towards the basic
color terms at home and abroad. The third part will mainly focus on the classification of English and Chinese
basic color terms. Then the writer would like to discuss the similarities and differences of the cultural connotations
of English and Chinese basic color terms in terms of translation. Furthermore, the writer will list several factors
that affect the cultural differences of English and Chinese basic color terms. At last, the writer will make a general
conclusion. Although the color terms make up a small part of the language, they really play an essential role in the
culture exchange as the language does. It is not surprising that understanding and mastering the cultural
connotations of the color terms really have great significance in promoting the international cultural exchanges in
today’s multi-cultural society.
Key words: cultural connotations; basic color terms; influence factors; cultural differences.
Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Literature Review
2.1 Research Abroad
2.2 Research at Home
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10
11
1
3. The Classification of Basic Color Terms 4
3.1 The Classification of English Basic Color Terms 4
3.2 The Classification of Chinese Basic Color Terms 4
4. The Comparison of the Cultural Connotations of English and Chinese Basic Color Terms 5
4.1 The Full Equivalence of the Cultural Connotations 5
4.2 The Partial Equivalence of the Cultural Connotations 7
4.3 The Non-Equivalence of the Cultural Connotations 7
5. The Cultural Connotations of English and Chinese Basic Color Terms in Terms of Translation 11
5.1 Literal Translation 11
5.2 Free Translation
11
6. Factors Affecting the Different Cultural Connotations of English and Chinese Basic Color Terms .27
6.1 Religious Faith .27
6.2 Cultural Tradition and Customs
.28
6.3 Literature and Art 14
6.4 Geographic Environment 15
6.5 Politics 16
6.6 Cognitive Psychology and Living Style 16
7. Conclusion 17
Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………1
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1. Introduction
Color is an essential element of nature, a result of human’s perception to the outside world.
Originally, color is an abstract concept. Gradually, with the evolution of human’s civilization, the
vocabularies that are connected with colors, which are accordingly called color terms are used to
describe the colors of certain substances. Generally speaking, color terms can be divided into three
categories: basic color terms(基本颜色词), color terms with colors of objects(实物颜色词) and
color terms in shade(色差颜色词).
Broadly speaking, color terms have the same functions as language does.
To start with, authors always use color terms to express the image of the context. That is the
informative function. For instance, in the following text, the color terms apply this informative
function to form a landscape of an autumn evening.
“The ground was a carpet of deep reddish brown in the glow of an autumn evening sun,
tempered by the trees. Young birches sprang up, caught light on one side, and were sparkling
green there; the shadowy sides of the stems were warm, deep black-green. Behind the saplings,
behind the brownish red soil was a very delicate sky, bluish grey, warm, hardly blue, all aglow.
Against it were a hazy border of green and a network of little stems and yellowish leaves. A few
figures of wood gatherers were wandering around like dark masses of mysterious shadow.”
The second function of the color terms is the performative function. Two examples are
quoted below.
Firstly, “Nick has given us the green light to start our research.” The color term “green” in the
phrase “give somebody the green light” means “to allow and admit somebody to do something”.
Secondly, “There was no doubt that he will show the white flag.” The color term “white” in
the phrase “show the white flag” means “to accept defeat”.
In addition, the third function that the color terms have is the emotive function. We all agree
that different colors can give us different feelings. And color terms are the best way to describe
one’s emotion. Without the color terms, the original feelings cannot be expressed clearly. Some
expressions which have the emotive function are illustrated as follows.
“In a blue mood”(情绪低沉); “black in the face”(脸色铁青); “see red”(发火) and “be green
with envy”(妒忌) and so on.
It is widely acknowledged that language is closely related to culture. So are the color terms.
Color terms are rich in human’s life. There are a lot of color words both in English and Chinese.
As a part of language, color terms play an essential role in the culture exchanges as language does.
Different color terms can reflect different cultural connotations. Therefore, understanding and
mastering the cultural connotations of the color terms really have great significance in promoting
the international cultural exchanges in today’s multi-cultural society.
2. Literature Review
2.1 Research abroad
2.1.1 Brent Berlin and Paul Kay’s theory
The early contributions to the basic color terms research are relevant to the studies of
language and culture. Among the researchers the most important about the basic color terms are
Brent Berlin and Paul Kay, with their famous Basic Color Terms: Their Universality and
Evolution (1969). This work was published after they studied nearly a hundred languages. And it
was Berlin and Kay who originally created the theory of basic color terms.
2.1.2 Anna Wierzbicka’s theory
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Professor Anna Wierzbicka owns a fine international reputation for her work on semantics,
pragmatics and the interrelation between language and culture. She believes that language is a
reflection of the psychology rather than the brain activity. And due to the differences of
geographic environment, social history, customs, ways of thinking, religious belief and national
psychology, the connotations and symbolic meanings of the color terms are also different. Her
well-known work The Meaning of Color Terms: Semantic, Culture and Cognition (1990) has great
contribution to the research of the color terms.
2.2 Research at home
In China, Deng Yanchang and Liu Runqing are two of the earliest researchers who have made
a clear and systematic analysis on the color terms. In their Language and Culture (1989), Deng
and Liu make not only a specific comparison on the connotations of English and Chinese color
terms but also the functions of them. Researchers like Yao Xiaoping and others also have their
own unique ways in demonstrating the relations between language and culture.
3. The Classification of Basic Color Terms
3.1 The classification of English basic color terms
After a general and particular study, Brent Berlin and Paul Kay pointed out that there are
totally eleven basic color terms in English, which contain white, black, red, green, yellow, blue,
purple, pink, brown, gray and orange.
3.2 The classification of Chinese basic color terms
In Chinese, the basic color terms include white, black, red, green, yellow, blue, purple, brown
and gray. Though it seems that there are fewer Chinese basic color terms than English, in fact,
Chinese is one of the richest and most colorful languages in the world.
4. The Comparison of the Cultural Connotations of English and Chinese Basic Color Terms
4.1 The full equivalence of the cultural connotations
4.1.1 White
In a sense, white shares some common connotative grounds between English and Chinese. In
Chinese, white is a reflection of light, purity and goodness, “洁白无暇”, “白衣天使” and “白头偕
老”are good examples. In English, the color white always contains the same meanings as Chinese.
In the stories of Grimm Fairy Tales, the Snow White is described as goodness incarnate. And the
wedding in the western countries is often called a white wedding. Moreover, Christmas, as a grand
festival, is always called A White Christmas in western countries. Secondly, white can be used to
describe the pale countenance both in English and Chinese. In Chinese, there are phrases like “面
色苍白” and “脸色灰白”. Correspondingly, there are “white-faced” in English.
4.1.2 Black
Black is not regarded as a good word both in English and Chinese. First of all, black is
always related to darkness and illicit doing both in English and Chinese. All sorts of ill deeds will
occur under the cover of darkness. In Chinese, “黑社会” means an unlawful social organization
always taking part in some illegal activities, “黑店” refers to inn run by brigands, “黑车” is
compared to the taxi without driving license and taxes paid, “黑人黑户” refers to residents who
have no permanent residency permits. Similarly, in English, people refer to “black market” (黑市)
as an illegally operated market and “black money” (黑钱) as the unrighteous mammon. There are
also such words as black deeds, blackguard, blackmail and blackleg. Secondly, black is always
associated with unlucky affairs both in English and Chinese. In Chinese, “黑 7 月” refers to the
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students’ worried mood about their grades during the college entrance examination before the
reform and opening up in China. In English, “a black-letter day” refers to an unlucky and
inauspicious day on which one is down on his luck, and “be in a black mood” indicates one is
down in his spirit. There are also phrases like “black future” (暗淡的前途), “black sheep” (败家
子) and “black Monday” (黑色星期一) which can express this meaning. Thirdly, black is also the
color of mourning both in the western countries and eastern countries. People in English-speaking
countries wear black on the occasion of the funeral, and Chinese people used to wear black yarn to
express their sadness and condolence as well.
4.1.3 Red
First of all, no matter in China or in the English-speaking countries, red is regarded as a color
of luck, happiness and success. In English, “to paint the town red” means to have a very happy but
noisy time, especially in the night. “To roll out the red carpet for somebody” or “to give somebody
a red carpet of reception” indicates to welcome some important person warmly. And “a red-letter
day” refers to the anniversary day or other happy days, such as the Christmas Day or other
festivals. In China, it seems that red is more welcomed. When festival comes, people stick red
couplets, hang red lanterns and wear red clothes. During the lunar new year, the elders give away
“red packets”(红包) to the children. “红双喜” is a traditional symbol of happiness. “开门红” and
“红运当头” mirror the good luck. “红男绿女” refers to boys and girls who are well-dressed.
People call the person who helps girls and boys get married “红娘”. And almost everything in the
wedding has something to do with the color red. Other expressions such as “红人”, “走红” and
“红极一时” are used to describe someone who is very successful and famous. Also, in the book of
Dreams of a Red Mansion written by Cao Xueqin, the red here refers to happiness and prosperity.
Secondly, red has the meaning that somebody is healthy and sanguine both in English and Chinese,
with such examples as “面色红润” or “红光满面” and “with a face as red as a rose”. In the third
place, red can be used to show some emotions both in English and Chinese, like anger or
bashfulness. There are “see red” and “like a red rag to a bull” in English and “脸红脖子粗” as
their correspondence in Chinese. In English, the phrase “she becomes red-faced” or “her face turns
red” equals “脸红”or “面红耳赤” in Chinese. Red also indicates peace. The International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) (国际红十字会) is an international organization with the aim
at protecting human life and health, and helping those people who are in trouble.
4.1.4 Green
In Chinese, green is always related to youth which indicates vigor and vitality. So is English.
Several examples are given as follows.
“In the green wood”(在风华正茂的年代); “in the green”(血气方刚); “a green old age”(老当益
壮); “the green years”(青春).
4.1.5 Purple
In English, purple symbolizes nobleness, dignity, power and emperor. With such examples as
“be bore in/to the purple”(出身于王室或显贵之家), “to marry into the purple”(与皇室或贵族联
姻), “a purple airway”(皇家专用飞机跑道) and “raise somebody to the purple”(立某人为王，把
某人升为红衣教主). Similarly, purple is regarded as a noble color in Chinese. For instance, we
call the Forbidden City “紫禁城”.
4.1.6 Pink
Pink can represent health both in English and Chinese. In Chinese, we use “粉嘟嘟” to
describe the healthy and lovely kids. In English, there is an expression to express this same
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meaning, that is, “to be in the pink”.
4.1.7 Gray
Gray is a kind of color which is not sprightly. It is often related to upset and disappointment.
Such as “a gray day”(阴沉灰暗的一天), “gray prospect”(暗淡的前景), “gray life”(单调乏味的
生活) and “gray area”(难以归类处理的灰色区域).
4.2 The partial equivalence of the cultural connotations
4.2.1 Red and green
When we refer to red and green, it seems that they are opposite to each other. However, there
exists a kind of similar usage of these two color terms in English and Chinese. In Chinese, we use
“红眼” or “眼红” to describe one’s emotion of envy or jealousy. In English, however, we use
“green-eyed” or “to be green with envy” to express this meaning.
4.2.2 Yellow and blue
To some extent，yellow and blue have some common connotations in English and Chinese.
On one hand, yellow indicates bad things in Chinese culture just as blue does in Western culture.
In China, we use yellow to express the pornographic and vulgar meaning. While in English, the
color blue has this same connotation as yellow does in Chinese, with such examples as “blue
books”, “blue films”, “blue jokes”, “blue talk”, “blue revolution” and “blue video”. On the other
hand, yellow is a color of power and emperor in Chinese culture just as blue does in Western
culture. With such examples as “blue blood”(名门望族) and “blue ribbon”(最高荣誉的标志).
4.3 The non-Equivalence of the cultural connotations
4.3.1 White
White has some derogatory meaning in Chinese culture while it has the commendatory sense
in English. In Chinese, it symbolizes death, threat, depression and failure. When their relatives
pass away, people usually wear white clothes to show their condolence in the funeral. “白色恐怖”
and “白区” represent reaction and decadence. The losers wave white flags (白旗) to show their
surrender in the wars. White represents foolishness when it is used in the term “白痴”. “白面书
生” refers to the scholar who is lack of experience. “白干” or “白忙” means one’s efforts effect
nothing. However, in English, white is equal to purity, innocence, fair and goodwill. On Christmas
Day, the white-colored ornaments are always used to decorate houses and Christmas trees in most
western countries. On the wedding ceremony, the bride always wears white dress. Phrases like “a
white soul”(纯洁的心灵), “a white day”(吉日), “a white sheep”(守规矩的人), “a white spirit”(正
值的精神), “a white man”(高尚、有教养的人), “white hand”(廉洁、诚实), “white magic”(有天
使相助的法术), “white market”(合法市场), “a white lie”(善意的谎言), “to see the white”(见世
面，长世故), “a white night”(不眠之夜), “a white war”(不流血的战争) and “white alert”(解除警
报) are all used to embody the commendatory meanings of white mentioned above.
4.3.2 Black
Though we have discussed a lot of similarities of black which are mainly derogatory between
English and Chinese, to some extend, black has some commendatory meanings particularly in
Chinese. For instance, black can represent resolution, solemnness, impartiality and honesty. To
Chinese people, Lord Bao may be the best embodiment of the justice. However, in English, there
exist no meanings like this.
4.3.3 Red
To begin with, red is a symbol of revolution both in English and Chinese. However, it has the
commendatory meaning in Chinese culture while it has the derogatory sense in English. In China,
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there are “red political power” (红色政权), “the Red Army”(红军) and “red flag” (红旗), which
are commendatory. But in English, red is usually associated with radical and violent revolution,
such as “a red hot political campaign” (激烈的政治运动), “a red revolution” (赤色革命) and “red
activities” (左派激进运动). Secondly, red is the color of decadence, depression and danger
mainly in English. The phrase like “be caught red-handed” has the meaning of being caught on the
scene of a crime, and other phrases like “the red light district” (红灯区), “running a business in
the red” (经营亏本) , “red light”(危险), “red alert” (空袭紧急警报), “a red battle” (血战) and
“red ruin” (火灾) all have the derogatory senses. In addition, in the novel of The Scarlet Letter
written by Hawthorne, the red letter A is a symbol of adultery sin. Thirdly, in China, we have the
saying as “to wear red to avoid demon”, but there is no such saying in western culture.
4.3.4 Yellow
In Chinese, yellow indicates the color of the land originally. Being seated by the Yellow
Riverside, the Yellow Highlands (黄土高原) was one of the most essential cradle lands of Chinese
people, and the ancient Chinese culture was thought to be shaped from there. Chinese people
always call themselves “炎黄子孙”. And they call the dates which are good for holding
ceremonies as “黄道吉日”. In China, yellow is an honorable color, and it is a symbol of power.
The emperor in China was always dressed in yellow robes, and other people were forbidden to
wear yellow clothes. The emperor also gave people yellow jackets as a reward. However, in
English, it is purple not yellow that is usually related to high ranks or power. Moreover, yellow is
always associated with something pornographic in Chinese, such as “黄色书刊”, “黄色电影”, “黄
色音乐” and so on. In English, however, the color yellow has nothing to do with pornography.
Even the phrase “yellow pages” and “yellow press” cannot be thought as pornography. The former
means the book of telephone numbers because it is painted with the yellow papers. And the latter
is a kind of newspaper with news about scandals, murders, crimes and unscrupulous exaggeration,
a little bit like “yellow journalism”, but there has nothing to do with pornography. In addition, the
color yellow can indicate the young age of girls in Chinese, with such examples as “黄花闺女”
and “黄毛丫头”. Yellow is equal to coward and despicable in English, such as “yellow dog” (卑鄙
的人；懦夫) and “yellow streak” (胆怯).
4.3.5 Blue
In Chinese, blue is always associated with tranquility, profoundness and remoteness, like
broad sea and sky. It is the color of beautiful dreams. Such as “蓝天白云” and “蔚蓝如海”. In
contrast, blue, on one hand, is related to gloomy and depressed emotion in English, such as “in a
blue mood” (情绪低沉), “feel blue” (不高兴), “a blue outlook” (悲观的人生观), “things look
blue” (事不称心) and “blue Monday” (沮丧的星期一). And on the other hand, blue is a noble and
stern color in English, for instance, “blue blood” (贵族血统), “blue ribbon” (最高荣誉的标志)
and “blue laws” (严格的法规). Furthermore, as we have discussed above, blue has the meaning of
pornography and vulgarity in English as yellow does in Chinese.
4.3.6 Green
In English, green has many meanings. Firstly, it indicates inexperience, with such phrases as
“green in experience” (缺乏经验), “green hand” (新手) and “green as grass” (无经验的).
Secondly, green is often associated with jealousy, such as “green with envy” and “green-eyed
monster”. Furthermore, in America, green can represent American paper currency because of its
green color. In Chinese, to begin with, green can indicate bravery. In traditional Chinese culture,
the people who lived in the forests helped the poor by robbing the rich were named as “绿林好汉”.
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Secondly, green has the meaning of the failure of arriage. The phrase “戴绿帽子”(to be a cuckold)
means that somebody’s wife has love affairs with another man.
5. The Cultural Connotations of English and Chinese Basic Color Terms in Terms of Translation
5.1 Literal translation
“Literal translation, also called equivalent translation, means a direct transfer of the source
language to the target language. This translation is based on the semantic equivalence and the
similar hidden cultural connotation between languages.” Such as “black market” (黑市), “black
list” (黑名单), “black humor” (黑色幽默), “white teeth” (洁白的牙齿), “White House” (白宫),
“white collar” (白领), “green tea” (绿茶), “green card” (绿卡), “red figure” (赤字) and “red alert”
(红色警报). To better understand it, several sentences are given as follows:
1. There are a lot of red roses in the garden.
花园里有许多红玫瑰。
2. My mother will not believe it unless she sees it in black and white.
除非我母亲看到白纸黑字的写着，否则她绝不会相信。
5.2 Free translation
5.2.1 Cultural equivalence
“Reflected meaning arises in words of multiple conceptual meaning, when one sense of a
word forms part of our response to another sense. Many English compounds and their equivalents
in Chinese are formed differently, revealing the fact that English and Chinese speakers may view
the same thing in different ways.”
Sometimes, different color terms stand for the same cultural connotation, which means that we use
different color terms to express the similar meaning. Although color terms used are different in
these two countries, their cultural connotations are similar possibly. In other words, as the cultural
differences exist, we also can use different colors to express the same conception. Examples are
given as follows:
1. Grey hairs should be respected.
人人须敬老。
2. My brother’s finger was caught in crack of the door and got pinched black and blue.
我弟弟的手指夹在门缝里，被压得又青又紫。
In addition, other phrases like “black tea”(红茶), “brown sugar”(红糖), “brown bread” (黑
面包), “the green eye”(红眼病), “blue film”(黄色电影), “a white day”(黄道吉日) and “look
grey”(面色苍白) all prove that different color terms can stand for the same cultural
connotation, and different cultural connotations result in different expressions.
5.2.2 Functional equivalence
When the cultural connotations of the two languages are not corresponded to each other, we
can remove, add or use other color terms to better understand the meanings of the text. Sentences
referring to this content are given below.
1. This movie star is at the height of her popularity now.
这位影星现在正红得发紫。
2. Richard was always the blue-eyed boy at school.
理查德在学校里总是宠儿。
3. “Mr. Brown is a very white man．He was looking rather blue the other day．He has been
feeling blue lately．When I saw him, he was in a brown study．I hope he’ll soon be in the pink
again.”
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布朗先生是一位忠实可靠的人。那天他脸色不好，近来感到闷闷不乐。我见到他的时候，
他显得心事重重。我希望他早点振作起来。
In addition, there exists a circumstance that we cannot translate some words or sentences into
their corresponded English or Chinese accurately because of their two different cultures. Under6
this circumstance, we could apply the interpretative translation. Here are two possibilities.
To start with, there are several examples which particularly have English characteristics. Such as
“White Smith” (银匠), “a white lie” (善意的谎言), “white elephant” (大而无用的东西), “white
coffee” (加牛奶的咖啡), “a white night” (不眠之夜), “Black Smith” (铁匠), “blackbird” (画眉),
and “black coffee” (不加牛奶和糖的咖啡).
In the second, there are some instances that particularly possess Chinese characteristics. Such
as “白菜” (Chinese cabbage), “白开水” (plain boiled water), “白头偕老” (remain a devoted
couple to the end of their lives), “红榜” (honor roll), “红白喜事” (weddings and funerals), “青史
留名” (leave a name in history) and “青梅竹马” (a girl and a boy playing innocently together).
6. Factors Affecting the Different Cultural Connotations of English and Chinese Basic Color
Terms
6.1 Religious faith
Every religion has its own doctrine. The usage of colors in religions and their doctrines has
great influence on the connotations of the color terms. Yellow is regarded as a noble color in
Taoism and Buddhism. Most Taoists and monks wear yellow dresses. The yellow papers written
with incantations are regarded as a good way to expel demon by many superstitious people. And
“黄道吉日” is said to be a proper day to hold important ceremonies.
In Christian culture, on one side, yellow is also a holy color. The holy cup which was used by
Jesus in the last supper was yellow, and the Father wears the golden crucifix as well. However, on
the other side, yellow has some negative meanings as well, such as “timidity”, “jealousy” and
“contemptibility”, for Judah, the betrayer, is often dressed in yellow. In Bible, black is the emblem
of evil. The hell in Christianity is lightless, and it is regarded as a place for the people who did evil
deeds to go after their death. The betrayer Judah has a black aureole above his head. When
tempted by the demons, Jesus often appears in the black. And “Black Friday” is an unlucky day
since it is the day of Crucifixion. In contrast to black, white is a holy color in Christianity, and it
symbolizes truth and virtue. Jesus and his angels are dressed in white.
6.2 Cultural tradition and customs
Chinese cultures and Western cultures have both similarities and differences, which brings
about a great influence on both English and Chinese. We are living in a society which consists of
many factors, among which tradition and customs are essential ones. Differences in cultural
tradition and customs exert a direct influence on people’s judgment and viewpoint of objective
beings.
In Britain, the color purple symbolizes royalty. In 43 AD, Britain was invaded by the Roman
Empire, and became a part of the Roman Empire for nearly 400 years. As a result, some of the
Roman tradition and customs were brought into Britain. Purple is a special color for the royal
families in ancient Rome. And the British’s worship to the color purple comes into being from this.
The phrase “born in the purple” indicates to be born in a high position or social class. The blue
means Blue Music at first, which originated from depressed and unforgettable jazz melody in the
Southern Negroes of the United States. Later, blue was regarded as a color of sadness and worry,
such as “the blues” (一种忧伤的美国黑人民歌), “look blue” (面容沮丧), “to sing the blues” (垂
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头丧气) and so on.
Chinese ancestors adored sun and fire. When the sun rose in the east, its fiery red color with
high temperature gave the ancients a mysterious feeling, and the concept of “赤” was considered
as deification. On the usage of language, the house of dignitary is called “朱门”, their clothes are
“朱衣”, and their cars are “朱轩”. In the expressions such as “白衣”, “白丁” and “白衣举人”,
“白” indicates uneducated or having no official rank. In ancient China, the official’s robe was
colorful no matter how low he ranked. White was never taken as a color of the official robes.
Moreover, on the traditional wedding ceremony, everything in it has something to do with the red
color in China whereas with the white color in English-speaking countries which is often used in
the funeral in China. Green is associated with bad reputation sometimes, and this can derive from
the ancient China when green was thought to be impurity. Officials who were demoted would
wear green, so did the prostitutes. There existed a kind of punishment in ancient China, that is, to
brand a mark on the forehead or to tattoo the face of a prisoner, accordingly, there was a saying
“抹黑” which was used to indicate failure or censure.
6.3 Literature and art
A lot of writers in Britain, from great William Shakespeare to Thomas Hardy, were good at
using the Color-scheme. Here is an example, that is, the first chapter of Ode to the West Wind
which was written by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being,
Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead
Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing,
Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red,
Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou,
Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed
The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low,
Each like a corpse within its grave, until
Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow
Her clarion o’er the dreaming earth, and fill
(Driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air)
With living hues and odours plain and hill:
Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere;
Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh hear!
In the instance above, the poet use the few color terms, “yellow, black, pale, hectic red and
azure”, to describe the government’s turbidity and the author’s feeling of the revolution.
In the Chinese classic A Dream of Red Mansions, there appears such a sentence:
“贾爷……也曾留下话与和尚转达老爷，说：’读书人不在黄道黑道，总以事理为要……’”
Here is Yang’s translation:
Mr.Jia……asked the monk to tell that scholars are not superstitious about lucky or unlucky
days but like to act according to reason.
Under the comprehension of the ancient Chinese superstition, “黄道” means “吉日”
(auspicious days), and “黑道” refers to “凶日”(inauspicious days).
In Beijing Opera, the different colors of the facial makeup are used to symbolize the disposition of
the character.
6.4 Geographic environment
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In Chinese, yellow indicates the color of the land originally. Being seated by the Yellow
Riverside, the Yellow Highlands (黄土高原) was one of the most essential cradle lands of Chinese
people, and the ancient Chinese culture was thought to be shaped from there. Chinese people
always call themselves “炎黄子孙”. And they call the dates which are good for holding
ceremonies as “黄道吉日”. In China, yellow is an honorable color, and it is a symbol of power.
The emperor in China was always dressed in yellow robes, and other people were forbidden to
wear yellow clothes. The emperor also gave people yellow jackets as a reward.
In Britain, it is blue or purple that is used to symbolize power. And this has some connections
with the environment. We all know that Britain is an island country that is surrounded by the sea,
and people in Britain take the sea as their object, thus the color of the sea is warmly worshipped.
In addition, blue is always associated with “sad”, “gloomy” and “depressed”, and this also has
some connections with its geographic environment. It is broadly known that Britain, especially
London, is famous for its foggy weather, and the blue sky is rare to be seen in this island country.
Therefore, it is reasonable that people’s gloomy and depressed emotion may result from the
stormy and dull life at sea.
6.5 Politics
To a large extent, politics has some influence on the usage of the color terms. In China, some
color terms have obvious political tendency. In the revolutionary time, “红” in such expressions as
“the red political power” (红色政权), “the Red Army”(红军), “red flag” (红旗), “red star” (红星)
and “the Red Guard” (红卫兵)”all represents revolution, while “白” in such expressions as “白区”,
“白色政权” and “白色恐怖” implies reaction and decadence. But in English, red is usually
associated with radical and violent revolution, such as “red hot political campaign” (激烈的政治
运动), “a red revolution” (赤色革命) and “red activities” (左派激进运动).
6.6 Cognitive psychology and living style
The difference between English and Chinese reflects the difference of ways of thinking and
cognition between English and Chinese. Human’s cognition to color is an important way for them
to know the outward. English and Chinese basic color words can arouse people’s sensation and
memory to the objects. Chinese people always use the color of yellow to symbolize works of low
taste, such as “yellow books” and “yellow movies”. However, as a matter of fact, these two
phrases have nothing to do with pornography in English. It is blue that can convey this meaning.
As Yao Xiaoping has once mentioned, the color red was the earliest natural pigment used by the
ancient people, which is proved by archaeology and anthropology. This is not only because red
was the color people attach much importance to but also because red was easier to extract than
green and blue or other colors at that time. On the account of the practical use of red and its fine
association with fire, Chinese people usually use red to refer to happiness, victory, warmth and
prosperity.
In English, it is cream or butter that is usually used to describe the color of light yellow,
which is because cream and butter are the daily foods in English-speaking countries. Moreover,
they use “green back” to describe American dollars just because the back of the dollars is green.
7. Conclusion
Vocabulary is an essential part of a specific language. And its various usages are more like a
mirror which can reflect the social and cultural backgrounds of a nation. This also applies to the
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color terms.
Based on the analysis of the basic color terms and their relationship with culture, this thesis
has made an illustration of the cultural connotations of English and Chinese basic color terms by
analyzing the similarities and differences of them, making an exploration into the reasons caused
these similarities and differences, as well as the cultural connotations in terms of translation
methods, aiming at improving the proficiency of cross-cultural communication so as to avoid
unnecessary cultural conflicts. From what have been analyzed above, we can draw the following
conclusions.
First of all, there exists the full equivalence of English and Chinese basic color terms. Here I
take white, black, red, green, purple, pink and gray for examples.
Secondly, because of the different cultural backgrounds, there exists the partial equivalence
of the basic color terms. There are two main groups, that is, red and green, yellow and blue. In the
third place, because of the differences of religious belief, historical background, cultural tradition
and customs, literature and art, geographic environment, politics, cognitive psychology and ways
of thinking and living style, the connotations of the basic color terms also have some differences.
Then, I would like to associate the cultural connotations of English and Chinese basic color terms
with several translation methods, since the cultural connotations of them also have their
similarities and differences in terms of translation. The first one is the literal translation and the
second one is the free translation, which includes cultural equivalence and functional equivalence.
In the last, connecting with the whole thesis, I would like to make a specific analysis of the
reasons caused the differences of the cultural connotations of English and Chinese basic color
terms, which contains religious faith, cultural tradition and customs, art and literature, geographic
environment, politics and cognitive psychology and living style.
From what has been demonstrated above, we can get the point that there really exist great
similarities and differences of English and Chinese basic color terms. With the accelerating
development of globalization and frequent cultural exchanges between countries at home and
abroad, it is becoming more and more important for people to be aware of the significance of the
color terms’ role playing in English and Chinese. Meanwhile, learning the translation methods of
the color terms well can both improve people’s translation abilities and make our cross-cultural
communication more convenient. Therefore, understanding and mastering the cultural
connotations of the basic color terms really have great significance in promoting the international
cultural exchanges in today’s multi-cultural society. If they are ignored, serious misunderstandings
may occur in our cross-cultural communication. Colors are closely related to human’s life and
have no national boundaries. Learning and mastering the cultural connotations of the color terms
in East and West is highly advantageous to us.
In addition, the purpose of this thesis is to make foreign language learners aware of the
similarities and differences of English and Chinese basic color terms and to give them some helps
during their learning process. But it is difficult to make each English and Chinese basic color
terms in details, accordingly, the analyses of this thesis are greatly limited.
In this thesis, The writer have made a comparative study on the cultural connotations of English
and Chinese basic color terms by analyzing the similarities and differences of them, as well as the
reasons caused these similarities and differences, and each one contains specific examples. Since
there must exist some limitations, the writer hope some further research could be performed later,
such as adding more cultural connotations of each basic color terms, similar and different, and
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researching more reasons caused these differences.
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