Abstract: Language is reflection of a culture, and color words are of no exception. There are plenty of color terms in both Chinese and English, so it is of great importance for an English learner to have a good command of their cultural references. This study aims to investigate, through comparison, the similarities and dissimilarities between the connotative meanings of Chinese and English color words, namely, white, black, red, and green. At the same time, it intends to look into the reasons for such differences from the perspectives of history, custom, religion and so on. This way we can better understand color terms and, hopefully, promote the communication with English speakers. 

Key words: cross-cultural communication; color words; cultural references

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction.1

2. Literature Review.2

  2.1 International Studies on Color Words 

  2.2 Domestic Studies on Color Words

3.Comparison of Cultural References Between Chinese and Western Color Words..3

 3.1 Comparison of the Color White in Chinese and English

  3.2 Comparison of the Color Black in Chinese and English

  3.3 Comparison of the Color Red in Chinese and English

  3.4 Comparison of the Color Green in Chinese and English

4. Causes of Differences in Cultural Reference Between Chinese and Western Color Words8

  4.1 Different Natural Environments

  4.2 Different Religious Cultures

  4.3 Different Customs

5. Conclusion.11

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgments.14