A Contrastive Study On Cultural Connotations Of English And Chinese Basic Color Terms From The Perspective Of Semiotics

Saussure holds that language is a system of signs which convey meanings. For Saussure, a linguistic sign is the union of sound image and concept which makes up the whole of sign; and it is the psychological imprinting of human beings. Color terms play a great and active role in language and are also, of course, called a system of linguistic signs. They are conventional linguistic signs. A color term not only signifies the concept of a color; more importantly, it bears various connotations. Language is the carrier of culture and culture shapes language. As special part of language, color terms are evidently loaded with various cultural values; in other words, they become signs of culture. However, these culture-bound words’ connotations can be the obstacles of intercultural communication. Thus, it is of great importance to study cultural connotations of color terms.This thesis analyzes and compares basic color terms in English and Chinese by virtue of semiotic theories in order to explore the cultural values of them. The main theoretical foundation is from Saussure and Barthes. The former proposes the binary semiotics and the latter puts forward to the hierarchical system of signs. The thesis chooses basic color terms:red and 红, black and 黑, white and 白, yellow and 黄, green and 绿, blue and 蓝 in English and Chinese as the studying objects. These color terms are loaded with so many cultural connotations in language use. Through the contrastive study, it is seen that there are commonness and individuality of the two nations or cultures, which is helpful to cultural exchange between English and Chinese.The thesis is composed of three parts: an introduction, the main body and a conclusion as follows:The first part is an introduction. It introduces the previous studies of basic color terms abroad and at home; and then it describes semiotics briefly. Then the author points out the theoretical framework of the thesis and the practical significance of it, aiming to let the readers have a general understanding of the whole thesis.The second part is the main body which consists of three chapters.The first chapter is literature review. It expounds Saussure’s dichotomy theory on sign: signifier and signified; and Barthes’ s hierarchical system of sign: denotation and connotation. Next, it depicts the relationship of linguistic signs and culture. Language is the carrier of culture and culture affects the use of language. Then, it explains the relationship of linguistic signs and intercultural communication which are similar in the process. Both are the process of the generation of meaning, conveying and explanation. And the nature of intercultural communication is the exchange process of signs. Last but not least, there is a semiotic understanding of basic color terms provided in brief.The second chapter is the analysis of similarities of cultural connotations of English and Chinese basic color terms and the causes for similarities. For Saussure’s binary theory on sign, the meaning of a color term is formed in the relation of signifier and signified. A color term is the union of signifier and signified. Thus, the basic color term is an abstract concept and a conventional linguistic sign. However, in the use of language, the basic color term not only signifies the concept of color; it is also affected by social culture and is loaded with various connotations. According to Barthes’ s hierarchical system of sign, denotation and connotation are the two aspects or two levels of color terms’ meanings which are generated from the first order of signification and the second order of signification respectively. The first level illustrates a color term, a primary linguistic sign, is the combination of sound pattern(signifier) and the concept(signified); while the second level explains color terms produce various connotations under the influence of cultures. The mechanism is that the primary linguistic sign which is composed of the sound image(signifier) and the concept(signified) at the first order of signification becomes a new signifier and it combines with another signified; then the union of the new signifier and signified produces a new sign which is called a connotative sign at the second level. In other words, a linguistic sign may appear to signify one thing but are endowed with a variety of meanings. Under this construction of meanings, the cultural connotations of basic color terms are established. Based on these semiotic theories, this chapter contrasts and represents similarities of English and Chinese basic color terms’ cultural connotations which are established at the second signification system. Lastly, the causes for similarities are made. Similarities demonstrate the similar psychological experience and cognitive perception between the two nationsThe third chapter is mainly about differences of cultural connotations of English and Chinese basic color terms and causes for differences. A linguistic sign is the combination of signifier and signified and it has two levels of meanings: denotation and connation. Basic color terms loaded with various cultural connotations are a huge system of signs. The essential characteristic of such signs is arbitrariness and conventional; which determines that connotations may vary from culture to culture. According to this theory, this chapter contrasts and represents differences of English and Chinese basic color terms’ cultural connotations which are established at the second signification system. And it illustrates and discusses misunderstandings caused by the usage of color expressions in intercultural communication. Then it lists some suggestions on the improvement of intercultural communication competence. Lastly, it probes into causes for differences, which mainly focus on cultural differences including geographical or natural environment, religion, social custom, national psychology, political factors and ways of thinking and expressions and so on.The last part is a conclusion. It is the summary of the whole thesis. Saussure’s theory of signifier and signified and Barthes’ s hierarchical system of signs correspond to the language rules of color terms and these semiotic theories provide scientific methodology for studying color terms’ connotations. Besides, through the contrastive study on cultural connotations of English and Chinese basic color terms, it is clearly seen that there are commonness and individuality between English and Chinese cultures. As cultural connotations lead to so many misunderstandings in intercultural communication, the study of cultural connotations of English and Chinese basic color terms is finally conducive to the cultural exchange between English and Chinese.