Article

Name: Cross-cultural paremiology: Chinese proverbs and sayings in Chinese English language mass media

Authors: O. V. Nikolaeva, Chen Shumei (陈淑梅), M. E. Panina

Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russian Federation; Ludong University, China

In the section Linguistics

Abstract: The paper considers the issues of status and identity of Chinese proverbs in English language discourse and the questions of the cross-cultural pragmatics of Chinese proverb quotations in the communication of China with the rest of the world through Chinese English-language mass media. We have studied more than 400 fragments which contained Chinese proverbs from Chinese media sources in English (2011–2015): The Xinhua, The China Daily, The Global Times, The People’s Daily. For the research, we selected 62 different Chinese proverbs, with all of them being used when dealing with international events and international relations. Our study of Chinese proverbs in the English-language media of China (originally issued in English, or translated into English) focuses on the assumption of the intentional and purposeful use of native Chinese proverbs for foreign (non-Chinese) English-speaking audience. We assume Chinese mass media in English language to be a kind of cross-cultural communication, in which proverbs pragmatically serve as messages of China’s views to the rest of the world. Chinese proverbs in use, especially in cross-cultural communication are still rare cases in Chinese proverb studies. Though Chinese proverbs have recently gained much popularity in communication in languages other than Chinese, they have not been sufficiently explored in cross-cultural research. However, cross-cultural interaction is extremely sensitive to (un)successful proverb quotations and their (in)adequate comprehension, calling for all-round problem-focused research. The research proved that for pragmatic purpose, the Chinese media cited Chinese proverbs in English in an intelligible and clear form. The English language makes the high context communication of China meet the requirements of low context communication, dictating the forms of Chinese proverb quotation: English equivalent, close correspondence, fable interpretation or translation. The analysis made it clear that pragmatic intentions of Chinese media on international relations were realized by Chinese proverbs focused on either positive values or «anti-values». Antivalues in proverbs were actualized as a part of conflict resolution or conflict management strategy and may be viewed from cross-cultural pragmatics as a warning or advice. It was found out that Chinese proverbs focused on anti-values were more diverse (39 out of 62 which is 63 %) than those with positive values. But Chinese proverbs with positive values were more frequent. Greater diversity of Chinese proverbs focused on anti-values can be explained by diversity of causes of international debates and contradictions, each of them being unique.

Keywords: cross-cultural paremiology, english-language media of the prc, intercultural pragmatics, chinese proverb, shuyu, chéngyǔ, guànyòngyǔ, géyán, súyǔ, yànyǔ

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