Linguistic-Taboo-between-Eastern-western-Communications.ppt

Linguistic Taboo between Eastern-western Communications Contents: Part1.Definition of Taboo linguistic taboo Part2.Differences of Linguistic Taboo between Eastern- western Communications 1.death , terrible disease physical disability 2.euphemisms for pregnancy sex 3.excretion of the body 4.numbers 5.colour 6.discrimination Contents: Part3. Ways of Avoiding Linguistic Taboo Using Euphemism Having a Good Knowledge of the Taboo Culture Part4.Conclusion Part1.Definition of Taboo Linguistic Taboo Taboo A taboo is a strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Linguistic Taboo Words and expressions related to social taboos. In English In Chinese “go”, “depart”, “depart from this world”, “go to a better world”, “go the ways of all flesh”, “pass away” etc. “去了”, “离开了我们”, “辞世”, “去见马克思了”, “归西”, “升天”, “上路”etc. In both English and Chinese in English sleeping”, “sleep” in Chinese correspond to “正寝”，“长眠”，or“永眠” 1.Death , Disease physical disability Death Abbreviations are often used to alleviate the shocking effect: SARS = “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes”. Terrible Disease In Chinese: “不舒服” instead of “病”; “挂彩了” instead of “伤”. In English: “V.D” = “veneral disease”; “big C”, = “cancer”; “long disease”, = “cancer”; ”terminal illness” = “cancer”; physical disability In English： ugly = looks plain/ordinary ； “fat” = “heavily set” or “on the heavy side”； thin=slender； a crippled =“physically handicapped” one is deaf= “hard of hearing” In Chinese: one is deaf=“耳朵背”, “耳朵有点不好”, “说话得近点” 2.Euphemisms for pregnancy sex She is “expecting”. 她在“待产”中. She is “in a delicate condition”.她正“怀孕中”. She is “well-along”.她“心满意足”.