Abstract：The development of the times has brought convenience for the communication between eastern and western people, but also requires people to have higher communicative ability. In the context of cross-culture, details can often determine success or failure. In English and Chinese, there are a lot of onomatopoetic words, and they display many commonness and individuality. Because of this, sometimes a casual onomatopoetic word jumped out from your mouth may affect the communication between both two sides. While the inappropriate quotation of these onomatopoeia is often due to a lack of related cultural background knowledge. This article comparates onomatopoeia between Chinese and English and analyzes the similarities and differences from the following aspects, Analysis for onomatopoeia, the onomatopoeia under Chinese and western culture and the relationship between onomatopoeia, culture and communication. Understanding and mastering the differences between English and Chinese onomatopoetic words can not only enrich our knowledge of rhetoric, widen our knowledge, but also help to improve our translation level.  Comparison of these differences can help us improve intercultural communicative competence, make us understand the importance of culture better, and improve our competence of language expression and appreciation, avoid the appearance of misunderstanding because of the lack of cultural knowledge. So apply onomatopoeia into cross-cultural communication rationally from details.

Keywords: Onomatopoeia ; Chinese and Western ; Culture ; Contrast

Contents

摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

Chapter 2 ANALYSIS FOR ONOMATOPOEIA-2

2.1 Classification of onomatopoeia-2

2.1.1 Human-related onomatopoeia-2

2.1.2 Animal onomatopoeia -2

2.1.3 Natural phenomenon-related onomatopoeia-3

2.1.4 Instrument-related onomatopoeia-3

2.1.5 Secondary Onomatopoeia-4

2.2 The use of onomatopoeia-4

2. 2.1 Use of onomatopoeia in literature-5

2. 2.2 Use of onomatopoeia in poetry-5

2. 2.3 Use of onomatopoeia in Nursery Rhymes for children-8

2. 2.4 Use of onomatopoeia in advertisement-9

2. 2.5 Use of Onomatopoeia in pop art-10

Chapter 3 ONOMATOPOEIA UNDER CHINESE AND WESTERN CULTURE-10

3.1 Onomatopeia contrast under Chinese and Western culture-10

3.1.1 Chinese onomatopoeia-11

3.1.2 English onomatopoeia-12

3.1.3 Comparison between Chinese and English onomatopoeia-13

3.2 Translation of onomatopoeia-17

Chapter 4 ONOMATOPOEIA CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION-18

4.1 Culture and Communication-18

4.2 Onomatopoeia and Culture-19

Chapter 5 Conclusion-21

References-23

Acknowledgements-24

Appendix 1 Data of Onomatopoeia-25

Appendix 2 Data of Onomatopoeia-26