Lecture10Verbal CommunicationLearning ObjectivesBy the end of this lecture, students should be able to :1. understand the cultural reflections on idioms.2. grasp the influence of culture on proverbs.3. discuss the features of English idioms.4. make a research on Chinese idioms. 5. study the differences of Chinese and English proverbs.General introduction Idioms, proverbs and sayings are an important part of the language and culture of a society. They are hard to understand, and harder to use correctly. The proper use in a language is often a mark of a persons command of the language. Speech or writing without them lacks color and is uninteresting, but overuse or improper use makes the language sound affected and unnatural. PartOneIdiomI. DefinitionofidiomAn idiom is a fixed phrase with its own meaning which has to be learned. Idioms differ from ordinary phrases by their tendency to be frozen in form, and they must be entered into our mental dictionaries as single items. II.Functionsofidioms English has a long history, it contains a large quantity of idioms, some are humorous, and others are serious. They are not only concise and to the point, but also vivid and effective. 1. Idioms serve various functions: expression, interaction and understanding.2. Idioms can give us insights into another nations language and culture. III.Usesofidioms When we use idioms, we shouldnt take the meaning literally or simply, or just translate it into ones own language without a thorough understanding. We must get deep insight from cultural perspective by analyzing various kinds of idioms.IV.ScopeofIdiomsnIdioms can be single-word, or multiword; they include not only traditional idioms, ranging from phrases, sayings, slangs and proverbs, but also what is called habitual collocations. nIdioms are an important and indispensable part of the language. V.CategorizationsofidiomsnIdioms can be divided into 3 groups:n1. pure idiom: is a type of conventionalized, non-literal multi-word expression ne.g. full of beans: be energeticn2. semi-idiom: has one or more literal constituents and at least one with a non-literal sub-sense.ne.g. foot the bill: pay the billn3. literal idiom: :have the combined meanings of their constituents. ne.g. no pains, no gains. VI.Featuresofidiomsn1. An idiom must be well-established and accepted through common practice. In general, no element in the idiom can be changed without destroying the sense as a whole.n2. An idiom has an implied meaning. It cant be interpreted only according to its literal meaning.VII.Practice1.raincatsanddogs2.putonesfootinhismouth3.facethemusic4.playthegameVII.Practice1.raincatsanddogs2.putonesfootinhismouth3.facethemusic4.playthegameVII.Practice1.raincatsanddogs-rainveryheavily2.putonesfootinhismouths/puthiswalletinhiscoat-someoneblundersbysayingsomethingheshouldnthavedone3.facethemusic-realizethemistake;toacceptthecriticism,unpleasantconsequence.4.playthegame-todosomethinginafairandhonorableway.PartTwoEnglish and Chinese IdiomsI.EnglishIdioms English idiom includes : 1. idiomatic phrases, which has 3 kinds: (1) phraseological collocation: e.g. as busy as a bee (2) phraseological unity: e.g. to wash ones dirty linen in public 家丑外扬家丑外扬 (3) phraseological fusion: e.g. (to make) a mountain out of a molehill小题大做小题大做 2. proverbial sayings: e.g. Union is strength. Look before you leap. 3. slang expressions: e.g. behind the eight ball 陷入困境陷入困境II.ChineseIdiomsChinese idioms can be roughly divided into:1. 成语成语:（set phrases)狼吞虎咽狼吞虎咽wolf down; 翻天覆地翻天覆地earth-shaking2. 俗语俗语: (common saying)这山望见那山高；一个巴掌拍不响这山望见那山高；一个巴掌拍不响3. 谚语谚语： （proverb）良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行）良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行4. 歇后语歇后语：（：（a two-part allegorical saying）老鼠过街，人人喊打）老鼠过街，人人喊打 擀面杖吹火，一窍不通（擀面杖吹火，一窍不通（know nothing about sth.）5. 粗俗语粗俗语: (vulgar expression) 兔崽子：兔崽子：son of bitchIII.TranslatingIdiomsEnglish TranslationChinese idiomslicksomebodysbootssitatsomebodysfeethaveabigmouthapieceofcakecarrycoalstoNewcastleatsixesandsevensthepotcallingthekettleDutchcouragebuildcastlesinSpainthekissofdeathIII.TranslatingIdiomsEnglish TranslationChinese idiomslicksomebodysboots溜须拍马溜须拍马sitatsomebodysfeet寄人篱下、甘拜下风寄人篱下、甘拜下风haveabigmouth夸夸其谈夸夸其谈apieceofcake小菜一碟小菜一碟carrycoalstoNewcastle画蛇添足画蛇添足atsixesandsevens乱七八糟乱七八糟thepotcallingthekettle五十步笑百步五十步笑百步Dutchcourage酒后之勇酒后之勇buildcastlesinSpain空中楼阁空中楼阁thekissofdeath帮倒忙帮倒忙III.TranslatingIdiomsIII.TranslatingIdiomsChinese idiomsEnglish Translationbutton/zip ones lipsdraw in ones hornmuch cry and little woollook for a needle in hay stackat ones witbesieged in all sidesTom, Dick and Harry/the man in the streetseek help at last momentThe more illumination, the more temptationWhen God has his church, the devil will have his chapelIII.TranslatingIdiomsChinese idiomsEnglish Translation守口如瓶守口如瓶button/zip ones lips打退堂鼓打退堂鼓draw in ones horn雷声大雨点小雷声大雨点小much cry and little wool大海大海捞针捞针look for a needle in hay stack黔黔驴驴技技穷穷at ones wit四面楚歌四面楚歌besieged in all sides张张三李四三李四Tom, Dick and Harry/the man in the street临时临时抱佛脚抱佛脚seek help at last moment道高一尺魔高一丈道高一尺魔高一丈The more illumination, the more temptationWhen God has his church, the devil will have his chapelIII.TranslatingIdiomsIV.IdiomsfromtheBibleIdioms Drawn from the BibleChinese TranslationAn eye for an eye以眼以眼还还眼眼e.g. The death penalty for murder works on the principle of (an eye for an eye)=its right to give sb. A punishment that is as the offence he has committedHide ones light under a bushel不露不露锋锋芒芒e.g. The clerk was a clever mathematician but was content to (hide his light under a bushel) . =hide ones talents, abilities or good qualities because of modestyAfter ones own heart正合适宜正合适宜e.g. I enjoy a glass of beer in the evening. You are a man (after my own heart).=of exactly the type that one likes or understands best; sharing ones tastesStills small voice良心呼良心呼唤唤e.g. Toward the end of the meeting people became very angry and the (still small voice ) of reason was completely lost in the general excitement.=a persons sense of right and wrongLion in the way拦拦路虎路虎e.g. Once his mind accepted the false fact that there was (a lion in the way)he would do everything badly.=difficulty or something dangerous that prevents sb. From moving forwardIV.IdiomsfromtheBibleIdioms Drawn from the BibleChinese TranslationBy the skin of ones teeth侥侥幸幸e.g. We drove to the station at full speed and caught the train by (the skin of our teeth.)=only justCast/throw pearls before swine对对牛牛弹弹琴琴She read them Shakespeare, but it was (castling pearls before swine.)=to give or offer valuableA fly in the ointment美中不足美中不足The new clerk was a clever mathematician but was contentto (hide his light under the bushel.)=a person or thing that spoils an otherwise satisfactory situation or occasionWash ones hands撒手不管撒手不管e.g. “Well” said the Master “If you wont listen to what I said, I must (wash my hands) of you and your examination chances.”=to refuse to be responsible for or involve with sb. or somethingThe salt of the earth社会中社会中间间分子分子e.g. It may well be doubted whether some of the bodies that exist for the purpose of improving society are actually (the salt of the earth.)=the finest citizen; person with very high qualitiesV.AnimalandIdiomsnMany animals are often associated with certain qualities in both cultures. They have become a kind of symbolism in peoples thinking and this symbolism is reflected in the language. But because of different history and culture, the connotations of animal words in one language dont necessarily coincide with those in another. Lets talk about the connotation of the animal words.AnimalAnimalwordswordsEnglishEnglishChineseChinese FoxFoxClever,cunning,sly100%Clever,cunning,sly100%Clever,cunning,sly94%Clever,cunning,sly94%SwanSwanGraceful,noble80%Graceful,noble80%Graceful,noble80%Graceful,noble80%SnakeSnakeHarmful,useful,Harmful,useful,slithery54%slithery54%Harmful,useful,slithery72%Harmful,useful,slithery72%DuckDuckStupid40%,ugly24%Stupid40%,ugly24%Stupid,ugly50%Stupid,ugly50%AnimalAnimalwordswordsEnglishEnglishChineseChinesePeacockPeacockConceit40%Conceit40%Beautiful38%Beautiful38%DogDogFriendly88%Friendly88%Faithful38%Faithful38%RabbitRabbitAttractive24%Attractive24%Insecure32%.Timid,meekInsecure32%.Timid,meekChickenChickenTimid68%Timid68%Lowclasspostitute32%Lowclasspostitute32%RatRatSmall,lovelySmall,lovely60%60%Bad,timid,40%Bad,timid,40%TigerTigerFerocious62%Ferocious62%Dignified36%,Dignified36%,LionLionDignified,royal,88%,Dignified,royal,88%,animalskinganimalskingFerocious66%Ferocious66%PigPigDirty52%,Greedy21%Dirty52%,Greedy21%Lazy48%,stupid22%Lazy48%,stupid22%OxOxDevoted,hardworking84%Devoted,hardworking84%HorseHorseDevoted,Devoted,74%Hardworking74%HardworkingTigerTigerFerocious62%Ferocious62%Dignified36%,Dignified36%,MagpieMagpieGossipy30%Gossipy30%Auspicious98%Auspicious98%CrowCrowDestructed40%Destructed40%Evil,dead92%Evil,dead92%OwlOwlWisdom80%Wisdom80%Evil,dark22%Evil,dark22%DragonDragonFierous18%,Fierous18%,masterious16%,masterious16%,scared8%scared8%Auspicious26%,Auspicious26%,dignified18%,powerful10%dignified18%,powerful10%V.AnimalandIdiomsChineseChineseEnglishEnglish落落汤鸡汤鸡Adrownedrat瓮中之瓮中之鳖鳖Ratinahole胆小如鼠胆小如鼠Astimidasrabbit蠢如猪蠢如猪Asstupidasgoose像蜜蜂勤像蜜蜂勤劳劳Asindustriousasant热锅蚂蚁热锅蚂蚁Acatonhottinroof老虎屁股摸不得老虎屁股摸不得Oneshouldnttwistlionstail.深入虎穴深入虎穴Beardthelioninhisden狐假虎威狐假虎威Donkeyinalionshide非非驴驴非非马马Neitherfishnorfowl吹牛吹牛Talkhorse像黄牛勤像黄牛勤劳劳Ashardworkingasahorse害群之害群之马马AblacksheepV.AnimalandIdioms公公鸭鸭嗓子嗓子As hoarse as a crow叽叽咋麻雀咋麻雀As talkative as magpie宁宁为鸡头为鸡头，不，不为为牛后牛后Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion赶赶鸭鸭子上架子上架Teach a pig to play on a flute爱爱屋及屋及乌乌Love me, love my dog.对对牛牛弹弹琴琴Cast peals before swine.呆若木呆若木鸡鸡Dumbstruck to the ground鼠目寸光鼠目寸光Short-sighted 狼吞虎咽狼吞虎咽Make a lions meal of蜻蜓点水蜻蜓点水Scratch the surface替罪羔羊替罪羔羊A scapegoat驴驴唇不唇不对马对马嘴嘴Out in the left field鹤鹤立立鸡鸡群群Tower above一丘之貉一丘之貉 birds of the same featherV.AnimalandIdioms1.Horsearound:playnosily1.Horsearound:playnosily2.Horseandhorse:shoulderbyshoulder2.Horseandhorse:shoulderbyshoulder3.Horseandfoot:doonesbest3.Horseandfoot:doonesbest4.Chickenheart:timid4.Chickenheart:timid5.Chickencomeshometoroast:receivethepunishment5.Chickencomeshometoroast:receivethepunishment6.Cutechick:beautifulgirl6.Cutechick:beautifulgirl7.Motherhen:careful,considerablemother7.Motherhen:careful,considerablemother8.Raindogsandcats:rainheavily8.Raindogsandcats:rainheavily9.Cat-monkeytrick:trickwithbenefits9.Cat-monkeytrick:trickwithbenefits10.Catsanddogslife”:miserablelife10.Catsanddogslife”:miserablelife11.Queercat,fatcat=person11.Queercat,fatcat=person12.Letthecatoutofthebag:disclosethesecret12.Letthecatoutofthebag:disclosethesecretIII. Idioms with animals13.Bigdog,luckydog,slydog,topdog=person13.Bigdog,luckydog,slydog,topdog=person14.Everydoghasitsday:everypersonwillsucceedsome14.Everydoghasitsday:everypersonwillsucceedsomeday.day.15.Tohelpalamedogoverthestile.Tohelpthepersonin15.Tohelpalamedogoverthestile.Tohelpthepersoninthedifficultythedifficulty16.Dog-eat-dog:personeatsperson,cruelworld16.Dog-eat-dog:personeatsperson,cruelworld17.Dogsbreakfast:awfulbreakfast17.Dogsbreakfast:awfulbreakfast18.Letsleepdoglie:nottodisturbothers.18.Letsleepdoglie:nottodisturbothers.19.Loveme,lovemydog.Lovemeall19.Loveme,lovemydog.Lovemeall20.Sheepandgoat:goodpersonandbadperson20.Sheepandgoat:goodpersonandbadperson21.Sheepseyes:dancingeyes21.Sheepseyes:dancingeyesV.AnimalandIdiomsI.Fillintheblankswithsuitableanimalwords1.asbusyas_7.ashappyas_2.ascunningas_8.asfoolishas_3.asstrongas_9.asstubbornas_4.asslipperyas_10.aswiseas_5.asblindas_11.asmajesticas_6.asmeekas_12.asstupidas_Keys1.bee2.fox3.horse4.eel5.bat6.lamb7.lark8.donkey9.mule10.owl11.lion12.goose VI.SportsandIdiomsIdiomsAssociatedsportsMeaningBehindtheeightball陷入困境陷入困境poolBeingblockedfrommakinganyfurtherprogresstowardthegoalofwinningShootfromthehip鲁鲁莽行事莽行事shootingTomakeupexplanationsorexcusesveryrapidlywithoutputtingmuchrealthoughtintowhathe/sheissayingHand-tohandcombats针锋针锋相相对对BoxingwrestlingTodosomethingdecisivelyandwithflairSlamdunksomething全力以赴全力以赴basketballAdifficulttaskasfightinghand-to-handinwarfareGoforthejugular犀利犀利BoxingwrestlingToattackaggressivelyandwithoutmercyRightontarget击击中要害中要害shootingAptandfair;exactlyonschedule/exactlyaspredictedNonetter完美无缺完美无缺basketballSomethingdoneperfectlybeyondbeliefAstraightshooter直言不直言不讳讳shootingHonestandfrankinonestalkTwistsbsarmBoxingandwrestlingToexaminationsomethingquitecriticallyStrikealowblow打一拳打一拳BoxingandwrestlingApointmakeinanargumentthatisdecisive/unansweredAknockoutpunch引人入目引人入目ShootingcanactuallyaccomplishsomethingratherthanspeakingtheoreticallyStandupforafewpunches经经得起批得起批评评BoxingandwrestlingTowithstandcriticismandgoaheadwithonesworkShootonesmouthoff胡言乱胡言乱语语ShootingTobragaboutsomethingonecantreallytakecreditfor,ormakeunjustifiedcriticismShootwithrealbullets言行一致言行一致ShootingTospeakfrompracticalexperienceandcanactuallyaccomplishsomethingratherthanspeakingtheoreticallyTakeaimatsomething仔仔细审视细审视shootingToexaminesomethingquitecriticallyPart ThreeProverbsGeneral introductionnProverbs may provide interesting glimpses or clues to a peoples geography, history, social organization, social views, etc. They can also show the similarities of human experiences and observations of both English and Chinese cultures. However, since culture is powerful in giving a language its characteristics, the dissimilarities are naturally more apparent. Chinese proverbs without commonly known English equivalents are too numerous. I.DefinitionofProverbnProverbsarethosepopularshortsayingscontainingwordsofadviceorwarning,theyareanimportantpartofthelanguageandcultureofasociety.II.FeaturesofEnglishProverbsnOccurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of two or more words in succession.(1) Practice makes perfect. 实践出真知实践出真知 (2) Forewarned is forearmed. 凡事预则立凡事预则立. (3) Forgive or forget. 不念旧恶不念旧恶 (4) Spare the rod and spoil the child.不打不成器不打不成器. (5) A miss is as good as mile.失之毫厘，谬以千里失之毫厘，谬以千里 (6)Waste not, want not.不用不喊不用不喊 (7) Manners make the man.观其礼而知其人观其礼而知其人n1. Alliteration:头韵头韵II.FeaturesofEnglishProverbs 2. Rhyme 节奏 To put words together to form a rhyme (sameness of sound between words or syllables ).(1) Little strokes fell great oaks.百里之堤，溃于蚁穴百里之堤，溃于蚁穴 (2) A little learning is a dangerous thing.一知半解一知半解(3) Haste makes waste.欲速则不达。欲速则不达。(4) Health is better than wealth.健康胜于财富健康胜于财富(5) Make a little makes a mickle. 积少成多积少成多(6) What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals.酒后吐真言酒后吐真言(7) A hedge between keeps friendship.君子之交淡如水君子之交淡如水 (8) Expectation is better than realization.期待总比现实美。期待总比现实美。(9) No pains, no gains. 没有付出，没有收获没有付出，没有收获II.FeaturesofEnglishProverbsn 3. Balanced structure平衡(1) In for a penny, in for a pound.一不做二不休一不做二不休 (2) Art is long, life is short.人生有涯艺无涯人生有涯艺无涯 (3) First come, first served.先来先得先来先得(4) Two is company, three is none.两人成为伴，三人不结侣两人成为伴，三人不结侣 (5) Like father, like son.有其父必有其子有其父必有其子(6) Grasp all, lose all. 事事抓，事事松事事抓，事事松(7) Full of courtesy, full craft.口蜜腹剑口蜜腹剑(8) God made the country, and man made the town.上帝造乡村，上帝造乡村，人们造城镇人们造城镇 (9) You buy land, you buy stones; you buy meat, you buy bones. n买地带石头，买肉带骨头。 ( 有用之物中总会包含无用之物。) II.FeaturesofEnglishProverbsnThe effectiveness of proverbs relies on their brevity (briefness) and directness. Their images are vivid and taken from the events of everyday life. They are made memorable by the use of a number of devices such as alliteration as in “ Look before you leap”, and rhyme, as in “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” But perhaps the commonest device of all is reliance on a simple balanced structure, as in “ More haste, less speed.”III.Chinese&EnglishProverbsnDue to the similar human experiences and observation of both English and Chinese cultures. Some Chinese proverbs have English equivalents. n新官上任三把火。新官上任三把火。A new broom sweeps clean. n人多好办事。人多好办事。Many hands make light work.n一箭双雕。一箭双雕。Kill two birds with one stone. n无风不起浪。无风不起浪。Where there is smoke there is fire. n美貌是肤浅的。美貌是肤浅的。Beauty is only skin deep. n今日事，今日毕。今日事，今日毕。n Dont put off until tomorrow what you can do today.III.Chinese&EnglishProverbsThe dissimilarities are apparent. 1. There are lots of Chinese proverbs without exact English equivalents. (1)良药苦口利于病，良药苦口利于病， 忠言逆耳利于行忠言逆耳利于行 (2) 瓜田不纳履，瓜田不纳履， 李下不整冠。李下不整冠。 (3) 一人得道，鸡犬升天。一人得道，鸡犬升天。2.There are lots of English proverbs without exact Chinese equivalents. (1) Absence makes the heart grow fonder. (2) Let sleeping dogs lie. (3) You cant teach an old dog new tricks. III.Chinese&EnglishProverbsn3. Despite the similar denotations, some Chinese and English proverbs have different connotations .n(1) It takes two to make a quarrel. 一个巴掌拍不响。一个巴掌拍不响。（中：孤掌难鸣）（中：孤掌难鸣）n(2) A miss is as good as a mile.差之毫厘谬以千里。差之毫厘谬以千里。n （ 英：心旷神怡，事事顺利）英：心旷神怡，事事顺利）n(3) Gilding the lily. 锦上添花（英：多此一举）锦上添花（英：多此一举）n(4) Life begins at forty. 人生始于人生始于40. （中；四十不惑）（中；四十不惑）IV.Proverb&MaximnA proverb is defined as the wisdom of many and the wit of one. It is a traditional saying that sums up a situation, passes judgment on a past matter, or recommends a course of action for the future. It also covers “maxims”格言, sometimes they are commonly used and overlap. nStrictly speaking, maxim applies to a rule for conduct. n Proverb applies to what happens or what is true. V.AnalogyofProverbs1. Some proverbs are open statements, whose meanings are straight-forward. e.g. Knowledge is power. 2. Most proverbs are metaphorical. e.g. It is no use crying over spilt milk. 覆水难收 e.g. Two dogs fight for a bone, and a third runs away with it. 螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后；鹬蚌相争，渔翁得利 e.g. Cry up wine and sell vinegar. 挂羊头，卖狗肉。 e.g. You cant have your cake and eat it too. 鱼和熊掌不可兼得。 (From the above, we can see English and Chinese proverbs carry the same message, use different analogies and images. )V.AnalogyofProverbsnAgooddogdeservesagoodbone. 有功者受赏。nBarkingdogsseldombite.爱叫的狗不咬人nEverydoghasitsday.凡人皆有得意日。nLoveme,lovemydog. 爱屋及乌。nTeachthedogtobark. 多此一举。V.AnalogyofProverbsnAcathasninelives. 猫有九条命。(英国迷信, 指猫的生命力强)nAcatinglovescatchesnomice. (=Muffled cats catch no mice.) 四肢不勤, 一事无成nAllcatsaregreyinthedark.(=At night all cats are grey; when candles are out, all cats are grey.) 黑暗中难分美丑。 VI.TranslationEnglishProverbsChineseProverbThereisnorosewithoutathorn.甘瓜苦蒂，甘瓜苦蒂，物无完美物无完美Itsnousecryingoverspiltmilk.覆水覆水难难收收Whatweloseontheswingswegainontheroundabouts.失之失之东东隅，隅，收之桑收之桑榆榆Othercountries,othermanners十里不同俗。十里不同俗。Wherethereissmokethereisfire.无无风风不起浪不起浪Manyhandsmakelightwork.众人拾材火焰高众人拾材火焰高Asyousow,soyoureap.种豆得豆，种豆得豆，种瓜得瓜。种瓜得瓜。Idlenessistherootofallevil.一一懒懒生百邪生百邪Allgoodthingsmustcometoanend.天下没有不散的宴席天下没有不散的宴席Birdsofafeatherflocktogether.物以物以类类聚聚Liveandletlive.得得饶饶人且人且饶饶人人Theproofofthepuddingisintheeating.亲亲身下河知深浅，身下河知深浅，亲亲口口尝尝梨知酸甜。梨知酸甜。