Abstract

Idioms play an important role in language. English and Chinese idioms carry different national cultural characteristics and cultural information; they are closely linked with their respective cultural traditions. Exploring the source of idioms and comparing the culture they refract will help language learners understand the English and Chinese language and cultural values system and feel the similarities and differences between English and Chinese culture, as well as truly understand and master the language. This study starts from the English and Chinese idioms in three aspects: diet, eating habits and traditional diet, and analyzes the similarities and differences between English and Chinese idioms.

Keywords: English and Chinese idioms; diet culture; differences

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Introduction1

1. Overview of relevant theories2

1.1 Definition of Idioms.2

1.2 The relationship between idioms and culture.3

1.3 A Comparison study of meaning between English and Chinese Idioms.52. Comparison in English and Chinese.6

2.1 Comparison of English and Chinese diet.6

2.2Comparison of English and Chinese eating habits.8

2.3Comparison of traditional diet10

2.3.1 Commonwealth of diet10

2.3.2 Differences in diet tradition.12

3. Cultural differences in English and Chinese food idioms.15

3.1 Geographical differences15

3.2 Economic differences.16

3.3 Differences in Religious Beliefs.17

4. Conclusion.17

Referencesv