Chinese and English Kinship Terms 跨文化交际论文.docx

Chinese and English Kinship TermsThesis statement：This paper is intended to make a comparison between Chinese and English kinship systems to see their differences and similarities, and a tentative explanation is given to the differences of these two systems from the aspect of culture as to illustrate the communicative functions they play in their own society．Outline：1. Introduction2. Comparison between Chinese and English kinship terms2. 1 Similarities2. 2 Differences3. Cultural connotation of Chinese and English kinship terms3. 1 Cultural connotation of Chinese kinship terms3. 1. 1 The background of Chinese economy and society3. 1. 2 The family relationship based on marrige and blood3. 2 Cultural connotation of English kinship terms3. 2. 1 The development of Western culture3. 2. 2 The character of British people3. 2. 3 The structure of Western family4. ConclusionWorks citedChinese and English Kinship Terms1.Introduction: When it comes to the language. People can’t help thinking of the culture. Similarly, when it comes tothe culture. People will connect it with language. There are many different versions about the definition of language all the time. Now the Chinese language academic circles widely believe that language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. Concept of culture is very wide scope. The entire human civilization includes food, architecture, art, religion, customs, ideas and language etc that belong to the category of culture.In this paper, I'd like to make a comparison between Chinese and English kinship systems to see their differences and similarities, and then I'll try to give a tentative explanation to the differences of these two systems from the aspect of culture．From the comparison, maybe we can know the communicative functions they play in their own society. 2. Comparison between Chinese and English kinship terms As we know, since the different culture and philosophical basis. China and Western countries have different interpretations on the interpersonal relationship systems. In China, there are many different kinds of relatives of the terms. However the relationship among the English-speaking countries will have a much simpler kinship terms. The following diagrams show the comparison between some English and Chinese kinship terms．Grandfather（grandpa）祖父（爷爷） 、外祖父（姥爷）或社交称谓Grandmother（grandma，granny）祖母（奶奶） 、外祖母（外婆、姥娘）或社 交称谓Father（dad，daddy）父亲（爸、爹等） 、岳父（岳丈、泰山等）Mother（mom，mum，mummy）母亲（妈、娘等） 、岳母Brother兄、弟、姐夫、妹夫、内兄、内弟、大伯哥、小叔子或社交称谓Sister姐、妹、嫂子、弟媳、内兄妻、内弟妻、小 姑子、小姨子或社交称谓Cousin堂（表）兄弟、堂（表）姐妹Son儿子、女婿或社交称谓Daughter女儿、儿媳或社交称谓Grandson孙、外孙或社交称谓Granddaughter孙女、外孙女或社交称谓Wife妻子（日常称谓很多Husband丈夫（日常称谓很多）Uncle伯、叔、舅、姑父、姨夫或社交称谓Aunt伯母、婶母、舅母、姑、姨或社交称谓Nephew侄子、外甥Niece侄女、外甥女Mr.先生（可用于尊敬的外亲）Miss小姐（可用于尊敬的外亲Mrs.女士（可用于尊敬的外亲）From the above diagrams, a brief comparison between English and Chinese kinship terms points to more differences than similarities． 2.1 Similarities One hand we call by sex, such as “grandmother”, “mother”, “brother” etc. On the other hand call by direct relationship, especially from parents to the child generation. For example, both languages use such kinship terms as “grandfather”,” father”, “son”, “grandson” and so on. What’s more, calling by Seniority in the family, both follow a common principle, For instance, “uncle”, “cousins”, “ father” and “daughter” show different generational relationships. 2.2 Differences English and Chinese in the connotation of kinship terms are not completely equivalent. English kinship terms are far less specific and complex, performance is more general and vague. The difference between the two countries mainly manifested in the following aspects. First Chinese usually use the figure to express ranking, such as big brother, third brother and so on. And in English, there is no such habit. Second, Chinese culture places great emphasis on the identity and status of the paternal relatives, the “grandfather”, “grandma”, “aunt” and the maternal relatives are known as “grandpa”, “grandma “, “auntie” and so on. However, grandfather in English means “yeye“ or “laoye“. The uncle is in addition to “bobo”, “shushu”, the more “yifu”,“gufu” and many other meanings. Finally, the Chinese kinship terms attach importance to sex, but the English word “cousin”, can refer to “biaoxiong” and “biaomei”. It is obvious that the Chinese language has more kinship terms than the English language. Actually, behind the kinship terms in the Chinese and English languages, there must be some relevant influential factors of their cultures. 3. The Cultural Connotation of Chinese and English Kinship Terms 3.1 The cultural connotation of Chinese kinship terms In ancient times, Chinese agricultural culture is determined by natural geographical position. People live on earth, developed with agricultural economy. In the long-term background of self- sufficient agricultural economy and society, hundreds of people who are blood or in-laws relations live to。