英语论文网

us faith. [13] English people believe in Christianity and it is the most influential religion in the west. Many English proverbs reflect English people’s religious faith and many of them are about “God”, “devil”, “heaven”, “church”, “cross” and “hell”. E.g.: (67) As poor as the church mouse. (68) God helps those who help themselves. (69) The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. (70) Better go to heaven in rags than to hell in embroidering. (71) The way to heaven is by Weeping Cross. The proverbs above are apparently related to Christianity, because in them “God”, “devil”, “heaven”, “church”, “cross” and “hell” appear which are the embodiments of Christianity. In contrast, Buddhism is the most popular religion in China. Many proverbs are about Buddhism such as: (72)平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚。(Never burning incense when all is well, but clasping Buddha’s feet in an emergency.) (73)跑得了和尚,跑不了庙。(The monk may run away, but the temple can’t run with him. —A fugitive must belong to some place that can provide clues.) (74)泥菩萨过河,自身难保。(Like a clay idol fording a river --hardly able to save one.) (75)放下屠刀,立地成佛。(The butcher who lays down his knife at once becomes a Buddha.) These proverbs are about 佛，和尚，庙and 菩萨。The doctrines of Buddhist admonish people to do good deeds and so they can go to the heaven after their death. Taoism comes next to Buddhism in China. There are proverbs about Taoism such as (76)一人得道，鸡犬升天。 (77)道高一尺，魔高一丈，etc. English and Chinese people have different religious faith. Different religions lead to the differences between English and Chinese proverbs. Christianity is the main religion in English-speaking countries, so many English proverbs are related to “God”. While Chinese people believed in Buddhism and Taoism, so many Chinese proverbs are about“佛”and “道”。 3.4 Reflecting different value concepts The differences between Chinese and western value concepts mainly lie in individualism and collective. Westerners believe that everyman is equal. They aspire to freedom and equality. Many English proverbs show American’s advocating of freedom and individualism. E.g.: (78) God helps those who help themselves. (79) He helps little that helps not himself. These two proverbs illustrate the individual role. The words “themselves” and “himself” show that independence plays an important role in their life. (80) Everyman is the architect of his own fortune. (81) If you want a thing well done, do it yourself. These two proverbs attach importance to independence and self-reliance. Self-reliance impels people to create opportunities, seek competition and be ready for risks. (82)“It is the squeaky wheel that gets the oil.” gives prominence to the individualism. (83)“Everyman after his fashion.” lays stress on individual differences. On the contrary, Chinese people take modesty as virtue. They respect the old and take good care of the young. Their characteristics are “justice and humanity”, “modesty” and “love”. [14] Chinese people pay much attention to collectivism and think highly of the role of groups. They lay stress on help each other and reliance each other. They also pay attention to the harmonious human relationship and they try to save the other side’s face. Many Chinese proverbs reflect this trend.[15] E.g.: (84)“孤树结成林不怕风吹，滴水集成海不怕日晒。”shows the strength of collective or union. (85)“四海之内皆兄弟。”reflects the importance of mutual help and reliance. (86)“相互协助事好办，各自揣私心事难成。”lays stress on