The Cultural Comparison of Chinese and English Hyperbole

【Abstract】： The Cultural Comparison of Chinese and English Hyperbole is a study combining daily examples to analyze the cultural factors behind the differences and similarities between Chinese and English hyperbole. Many figures of speech in Chinese and English have basic or partial differences because their formation， utilization and development are limited by their own culture. As a common figure of speech， hyperbole has been paid attention by many rhetoricians， which is limited by culture in a degree but reflects some culture at the same time. Failing to understand the expression of hyperbole in Chinese and English can result in hindering the comprehension of the meaning and culture. As a consequence， interpreting their culture through the study of hyperbole in Chinese and English contributes to push forward cultural exchange.

【Key Words】： hyperbole，culture，comparison

Introduction

Hyperbole is a common figure of speech in Chinese and English， which is an efficient stylistic way of expressing feelings and meanings in life and literature. Some scholars study the culture in idioms， at the same time they inevitably study the culture in the hyperbole because hyperbole is common in idioms. Actually ，as the result from similarity of human common physiology systems and the ways of perceiving the objective world， there are some sayings concern with hyperbole， which are basically or totally matched in Chinese and English， others reflect their own material or spiritual features of cultures. Nowadays ， hyperbole is used in media to heighten the effect of expression.Analysis on comparison between Chinese hyperbole and English hyperbole can contribute to expressing the emotions and exchanging different cultures.

1.Background Knowledge

1.1 Overview of English and Chinese Hyperbole

English and Chinese hyperbole both aim at highlighting the essence of things and strengthening the rendering power. They are based on fact but exaggerate fact.

1.1.1 The Definition of English Hyperbole

English hyperbole， derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting”， is a figure of speech （a form of irony） in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect； an extravagant statement.

According to several authoritative dictionaries， English hyperbole aims at emphasizing the nature of things. For example：

COD hyperbole：（Rhet.） exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

Hyperbole is commonly used in emotional situation.“Hyperbole can express intense feelings， that’s why furious people like using hyperbole most，” said Aristotle. From the view of pragmatics， hyperbole is against the Co-operative Principle of Grice’s conversational theory that its Maxim of Quality requires people to tell truth instead of 1 speech. However， all hyperbole exaggerate the truth， we have to use pragmatic reasoning to acquire the real meaning of conversation.

1.2 Comparison of English Hyperbole and Chinese Hyperbole

English hyperbole and Chinese hyperbole have a lot in common， one of the big differences between them is the hyperbole on number. English hyperbole and Chinese hyperbole both aim at enhancing the appeal of article. For example： a.我一看到他我就火冒三丈。 b. No， no， a thousand times’ no.

2. Cultural Similarities in English and Chinese Hyperbole

We are going to analyze the culture similarities through the hyperbole about beauty， love.

2.1. Viewabout Beauty

In ancient China， Da Ji is a beauty who tempted emperor to kill the good ministers caused the fall of Shang Dynasty.Given this cultural similarity， Taylor translated the word”傾國傾城” directly.

（1） 子龍見婦人身穿縞素，有傾國傾城之色。（羅貫中《三國演繹》第五十二回）

（2） The woman was dressed entirely in white silk and her beauty was such as to overthrow cities and ruin states.（Romance of the Three Kingdoms， trans. by C. H. Brewitt-Taylor）

Translation like that will be understood in western because there is similar hyperbole in English as well. Beauties are regarded as the temptation which cause misfortune. In Greek mythology，the Sirens were beautiful but dangerous creatures that lured the sailors with their beautiful voices to their doom， causing the ships to crash on the reefs near their island.

2.2 View about Love

The real love is exaggerated by the word “海枯石爛“in Chinese， or the sentence that “until see dry and rock melt” in English. This hyperbole is based on the shared non-cultural knowledge that sea won’t dry and rock won ‘t melt， this is a common sense to nature.

3. Daily Cultural Communication

Daily culture exchange involves a lot about diet and emotion which are reflected in hyperbole. That western people don’t like eating animals’ organs should be paid attention on when we eat with western people. They like exaggerating their feeling by using extreme words or expression， so don’t be shocked if they act too over.

Hyperbole helps understand the intensity of one’s emotions. There is a generally accepted theory that things often get lost in translation from the speaker to the listener. Hyperbole helps bring to light the feelings of said speaker. Now， let’s look at two incidents （based on real life）， shall we.Hyperbole adds the punch to life’s sober mocktail； it is the chocolate chips in the vanilla muffin that existence is； it sprinkles the oregano on to life’s pizza.

We use hyperbole to stress for an entertainment effect in our daily conversation. However， it has very serious implications in literature. By using hyperbole， a writer or a poet makes common human feelings remarkable and intense to such an extent that they do not remain plain. In literature， usage of hyperbole develops contrasts. When one thing is described with an over-statement and the other thing is presented normally， a striking contrast is developed which can catch the reader’s attention.

Conclusion

Hyperbole is an important figure speech which reflects the similarities and differences of different culture. As cultural exchanges has become more and more popular and important， it is necessary to promote cultural exchanges through hyperbole.

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