数字七在中西方文化中的差异.doc

The Differences of Number Seven in Chinese and Western culture[Abstract] Language is the carrier of culture. All languages in the world are rooted in some specific cultural contexts, reflecting the specific cultural background and national emotions. Numbers, as the indispensable elements of all languages, definitely play an important role in people's daily life. The way people use numbers belongs to a nation，s specific culture, containing ethnic and cultural implications. It is clear that numbers have different origins and meanings in the different culture backgrounds. As for the number seven, Chinese people give the number both positive and negative emotions and meanings. While in Western countries, the number seven is a beloved number, representing holy, luck and happiness. The differences of the number seven in different cultures would be discussed in this pape匚 And the reasons that lead to these differences would be explored as well. Based on the analysis of different cultural backgrounds, it is easier for us to use numbers appropriately and avoid misunderstanding in cross-cultural communication.[Key words] Number; Seven; Nation; Communication; Meaning数字七在中西方文化中的差异［内容摘要］语言是文化的载体，世界上任何一种语言都是植根于特定的文化之中，反映 着特定的文化背景和民族情感。

数字作为语言中不可或缺的组成元素，在人们H常生活中 扮演着重要的角色人们使用数字的独特方式是特定文化的产物，包含着其民族性和文化 底蕴在不同的文化背景中，数字有着不同的起源和寓意对于数字“七”，中国人赋予 它双重的情感和意义，有凶有吉，有好有坏而在西方国家，人们对“七”情有独钟，它 代表着圣洁，好运以及幸福本论文旨在研究数字“七”在不同文化下的含义，分析造成 这种区别的主要原因在理解包容不同文化背景的前提下，方便人们恰当使用数字沟通， 避免在跨文化交流中引起谋会［关键词］数字；七；民族；交流；含义L IntroductionLI BackgroundNumbers have been slowly developed since the birth of human beings. They are the results of human beings5 exploration for better communication and better way of living・ Tu Chaolian and Chen kun think that "Numbers are created to meet the needs of society with the help of symbols, signs and semiotics when human beings develop to a certain stage^ (TU Chao-lian, 2011: 276). There is no denying that numbers play an essential role in the progress of human's civilization. Some scholars hold the opinion that human's civilization begins with the creation of words and the creation of words begin with the use of numbers.However, in different countries, numbers contain different meanings and connotations. As time goes on, different digital cultures appear and influence peopled daily life in return. There are some scholars have studied the differences of numbers' role in different cultural backgrounds. Idioms are closely related with languages and peopled living environment. As a kind of national linguistic expression, idioms are inextricably linked with a nation's geographical environment, historical background, customs, economic life, psychological status, values, religion and other aspects. Chitra Fernando in his book Idioms and Idiomaticity expresses numbers' different meaning in idioms. There are lots of idioms about numbers. For instance, at sixes and sevens, seventy times seven and so on.It is of great importance for us to know the numbers? different meaning in different countries. Only in this way, can they express their intentions clearly and communicate efficiently. Chinese scholars have realized the importance of this kind of study. Jin Peng has written a paper to show the different usages of the number three, the number seven and the number nine in Chinese and Western cultures (Jin, 2013: 32-33).When talking about the attitudes towards numbers, Chinese and Western people have a different view. Chinese people believe they can use numbers to explain the universe so as to predict their fortune. Western people regard numbers as tools to explore the world. As Hu Jianhua has discussed in his book, "They are surprised to find that the universe has a magical mathematical relationship. Numbers are hidden in the vast universe waiting to be discovered traces^ (Hu, 2003). The main difference focuses on the scientific point. Chinese scholar Xu Liangfeng has discussed this issue in his paper "Comparison between the digital cultural connotation between Chinese and Western cultures" (Xu, 2012: 115-131).Since the number seven act as special role in all numbers, this paper focuses on the study of this numbe匚 The number seven owns different emotions and meanings among different cultural backgrounds. Based on the researches that scholars at home and abroad have made, we can come to a conclusion that Chinese people give the number double principles, both positive and negative, while Western people hold a totally positive view towards this special number.This paper would summarize previous researches on the number seven and explore the differences on the number seven between two cultural backgrounds.L2 Objective of the ResearchPeople often use numbers to count and communicate with other people in daily life. However, because of the history, religious, cultural and other factors, different countries have different meanings of numbers. As the international communication develops, the functions of numbers 。