文化：中西禁忌語異同簡介

1、D12201018 D12201018 胡逸靈胡逸靈 The origin of linguistic tabooThe term “taboo” was borrowed from Tonga, an island group in Polynesia, and its original meaning is “sacred” “untouchable”. sculpture The origin of linguistic tabooWhen it came into English vocabulary, it became the synonym of taboo, which sta

2、nds for prohibition or repression. It is specifically used to describe some special languages and behaviors.The evolution of linguistic tabooIn the primitive society, people didnt get to know about nature. They were confused about the natural phenomenon, such as lightning, thunder, storm, earthquake

3、s, etc. They believed in the natural powers and became superstitious. The evolution of linguistic tabooIn modern society, people are becoming more and more conscious of other peoples feelings. So they create many taboo words to avoid hurting others. Most of the words can also be called euphemisms. S

4、imilaritiesDifferenceTaboos on religionIn English, the word of God ,devil, heaven, hell, Christ and Jesus, except in a serious conversation, cant say casually, otherwise will be considered blasphemous.In china, Because the name of Confucius is 孔丘, the family name 丘 must be changed to 邱。godgoshJesusG

5、ee, Jeepers, Jiminy, our LordTaboos on disease and deathmaimed“physical disability” or “deformity” .In Chinese, if one is a deaf, we will say “ears back” “ears a little bit bad”, “talk was near point”, etc.We often use many other euphemisms to express death or disease.dead“kick the bucket”, “pop off

6、”, “die”, “pass away”, “decease”, “be with the god”, etc.Besides, the word “maimed” is a distressing one, so it is very impolite to describe someone.People also use abbreviations to avoid directly talk about the name of the disease.AIDSAcquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeBig CCancerTaboos on sexIt is

7、 impolite to mention anything about sex in some the social or formal interactions. Those words related with sex or genitals can be only used on a very informal occasion or in the field of medical.Due to the Sex Liberation in the western countries during the 1960s, the English speaking countries took

8、 a more freedom. But Chinese people also treat terms on sex seriously.“Prurient is the worst, filial piety is the best”.Taboos on humans excretion partsThese words are speaking rudely. lavatorymen, women, ladies, gentlemen, public, convenience, comfort station, bathroom, washroom, rest room, W. C, t

9、oiletmenstruationPeriod, a woman for a week, Aunt Flo has come.Swear words in English are often called four letter words, because most of them are short and many are made up of four letters. Such as: piss, shit, crap, fuck.Taboos on age and weight.When you meet a young lady on the street, you should

10、 not ask such questions as “How old are you?” “What about your salary?”, for it is very crude to greet others. Therefore, words like “old” “childish”, “fat”, “skinny”, etc. Taboos on age and weight.With the time goes by, “becoming old” is an inexorable natural law, however, Chinese give “the old age

11、” a more positive meaning, for “old” is the symbol of wisdom and experience. As a result, the elder is widely respected and took care of in China. However, people in the English speaking countries hold an opposite view. They treat “old” as a taboo, which means “outdated” “useless”. The elder signifi

12、es “decline” “fall into decay” “dying”. Taboos on age and weight.fuller figure JunoesqueTaboos on privacy affairsPeople take their privacy affairs seriously in those English speaking countries. However, in China, people always talk about age; when you greet a friend, you may say “How old are you?” I

13、t is very crude to ask some questions on age to a lady on a public occasion. Whats more, issues on money is another taboo in the western countries, people should not ask about other peoples salary, members of the family, while Chinese like to ask and answer these questions. In our daily conversation

14、s, you can hear such questions as “Are you married?” “How much is your cloth?” “What does your wife do?”, etc. These questions are concerned with privacy affairs in English, so it is forbidden to talk about it. The British often greet other people with the question “How nice the weather!”Taboos on numbersWhile in English speaking countries, number “13” and “Friday” are taboos, for Jesus Christ died at 13, Friday. Chinese take even numbers as a good omen, while people in th