A Cognitive Comparison of Color Metaphors in Chinese and English

Abstract

In interaction with the world, human beings categorize and code colors perceived by their visual systems. Color words are often used metaphorically to express and understand the concepts of non-color domains. The research aims to explore the similarities and dissimilarities of metaphors in Chinese and English through examining the target domains (emotion, politics and economy domains) onto which Chinese “红” and English “red” map. It is found that there are more differences than similarities in metaphorical meanings between Chinese and English. The motivations behind these metaphorical meanings are also analyzed. The research could shed light on language acquisition, cross-cultural communication and foreign language teaching.