Abstract

The world is made up of colorful colors, and the language is also inseparable from the color. This dissertation explores the history of studying metaphor and color words in China and the West, interprets the concept and operative mechanism of metaphor, and makes a concrete and systematic exposition of several basic color words, such as red, yellow, blue and white, by means of comparative research. At the same time, combined with the differences between Chinese and Western cultures, we do a further comparative analysis of the meaning of these color words. The study found that the same physiological mechanism and visual system of all ethnic groups are the causes of same color metaphors, and different historical culture and social customs are the causes of different color metaphors. Through research, this dissertation can help people to eliminate misunderstanding and misinterpretation, and promote cross-cultural communication and cooperation between China and the West.

Key words: color; metaphor; culture; comparative analysis

Key words: family education; Eastern and Western; difference

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1 1.1 The research background1

1.2 The purpose and significance.1

1.3 The structure of the paper.3

2. Literature Review.3

2.1 Studies abroad4

2.1.1Substitution Theory.4 

2.1.2Comparison Theory5

2.1.3Interaction Theory6

2.1.4 Mapping Theory6

2.1.5 Conceptual Blending Theory.7 

2.2 Studies at home.7

2.3 Studies on colors.8

3. The Theoretical Basis9

3.1 The definition of metaphor9

3.2 The operative mechanism of metaphor.10

3.3 The color metaphor.12

4.The Differences of Color Metaphors between Chinese and English.13

4.1 Red14

4.2 White15

4.3 Black.16

4.4 Yellow.17

4.5 Blue.18

5.Conclusion20

References22