A Comparison Study of the “12 Animals” Proverbs in Japanese and Chinese Language

• Main Authors: Liu, Wei-Ling, 劉韋伶
• Other Authors: Tsai, Mao-Feng
• Format: Others
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/30155907307226786173

碩士 === 銘傳大學 === 應用語文研究所碩士班 === 90 === Proverbs are crystals of experience and wisdom, epitomes of natural conditions, felling, thinking and beliefs among a particular group of people. Therefore, proverbs reflect the individuality and culture of a nation. Proverbs blend all that the ancestors saw and heard to become important culture assets. The lives of people in China and Japan have had close relationships with animals for a long time. Consequently, most proverbs that we use in everyday life are connected with animals. The relationships between the “12 Animals” proverbs and life in China and Japan are investigated in this study. Chapter 1 is an introduction to explain the motivation, background, method and range of this study. In chapter 2, the relationships and comparisons of the “12 Animals” and of the people of China and Japan are covered. Chapter 3 focuses on the expression and meaning in proverbs as the “12 Animals” proverbs in Chinese and Japanese languages are separated into two types. The two are homophonic proverbs and synonymous proverbs. In chapter 4, the appearance of “12 Animals” proverbs is surveyed and their similarities and dissimilarities in China and Japan are compared. Chapter 5 is the conclusion: it is not hard to find the “12 Animals” are very important descriptors of the status of life in China and Japan. The differences between China and Japan in this regard are not huge. “Horse” shares the most common opinions between the two, with “Tiger” coming in second. The interaction between the peoples of China and Japan is frequent, even daily. Consequently, learning Japanese is more and more common in Taiwan, with Japanese education more widespread. The conclusion and analysis of this paper can not only help recognize similarities and dissimilarities in culture between China and Japan, but also aid comprehension of each other and support Japanese education. This analysis will assist learners to understand the opinions represented and culture hidden in the “12 Animals” proverbs as they study Japanese. It will aid proverb study and memorization in general, as it can also induce learners to be interested in studying proverbs, leading them to mature understanding and cultural applications.