On Social Characteristics of English Proverbs
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ISSN 1009-5039
http://www.overseaen.com
Overseas English 海 外 英 语
2012 年 08 月
Overseas English 海 外 英 语
Tel:+86-551-5690811 5690812
Proverbs—Reflection of Influence of the Holy Bible on Western Culture
徐铖
（国家税务总局干部学院教研三部，
江苏 扬州 225007）
Abstract: Christianity is the most influential religion in west world while the Bible is often labeled as a“Western book”and considered a vital part of western culture.With the help of related English proverbs as well as the Holy Bible -the major resource of Christian doctrines and western concept of values, the thesis analyzes the influence of this scripture on western culture from the angle of human nature orienta⁃ tion, relationship of humankind to nature, time orientation, activity orientation and relational orientation.
Key words: Proverbs; the Holy Bible; western culture
中图分类号： 03 文献标识码：
G
A
文章编号： -5039(2012)16-0279-04
1009
Proverbs, in colorful and vivid language, reflect important typi⁃ cal cultural values of every nation. Simple and popular, concise and pithy, they are passed on from generation to generation in the read⁃ able oral form and have gradually become a component indispens⁃ able to the dominant culture of that nation. As a part of language, proverbs have been closely integrated with the society and its cul⁃ ture. Proverbs reflect many aspects of the nation such as geography, history, religious faith and values. Meanwhile, Christianity which generally influences the west through the Bible played an important role in the course of formation and development of western society.
It can be proved by numerous English proverbs which reflect the re⁃ lation between culture and language. When foreigners travel or live in English-speaking countries or even deal with English studying, they can not avoid experiencing cultural gap. Learning English prov⁃ erbs is absolutely a good way to bridge it.
However, there are still many people who can not use some proverbs properly, especially those which are
ISSN 1009-5039
http://www.overseaen.com
Overseas English 海 外 英 语
2012 年 08 月
Overseas English 海 外 英 语
Tel:+86-551-5690811 5690812
Proverbs—Reflection of Influence of the Holy Bible on Western Culture
徐铖
（国家税务总局干部学院教研三部，
江苏 扬州 225007）
Abstract: Christianity is the most influential religion in west world while the Bible is often labeled as a“Western book”and considered a vital part of western culture.With the help of related English proverbs as well as the Holy Bible -the major resource of Christian doctrines and western concept of values, the thesis analyzes the influence of this scripture on western culture from the angle of human nature orienta⁃ tion, relationship of humankind to nature, time orientation, activity orientation and relational orientation.
Key words: Proverbs; the Holy Bible; western culture
中图分类号： 03 文献标识码：
G
A
文章编号： -5039(2012)16-0279-04
1009
Proverbs, in colorful and vivid language, reflect important typi⁃ cal cultural values of every nation. Simple and popular, concise and pithy, they are passed on from generation to generation in the read⁃ able oral form and have gradually become a component indispens⁃ able to the dominant culture of that nation. As a part of language, proverbs have been closely integrated with the society and its cul⁃ ture. Proverbs reflect many aspects of the nation such as geography, history, religious faith and values. Meanwhile, Christianity which generally influences the west through the Bible played an important role in the course of formation and development of western society.
It can be proved by numerous English proverbs which reflect the re⁃ lation between culture and language. When foreigners travel or live in English-speaking countries or even deal with English studying, they can not avoid experiencing cultural gap. Learning English prov⁃ erbs is absolutely a good way to bridge it.
However, there are still many people who can not use some proverbs properly, especially those which are
References: [1] Longman.Longman dictionary of English Idioms[M].London, 1980. [7] 王书亭, 王建敏. 英语流行谚语 [M]. 东营: 石油大学出版社, 2004:4.