Abstract:The communication between different cultures have been increasingly intensified with the development of globalization. When it comes to taboo, the violation of taboo will arouse misunderstanding and conflicts. It is necessary to identify differences so that effective ways and strategies might be found.
On account of the differences among views of value, religious beliefs, thinking models and traditional customs; taboo numbers, which exist in Chinese and English culture, are not entirely same. People will associate these taboo numbers with such emotions as joy, sadness, disgust and so on.
Taboo numbers are a phenomenon with strong subjective emotion, which expresses people’s good wishes or disgust through some certain specific representations. During the accumulation of years of history, taboo numbers, as well as other taboos, have formed specified expressions, which is widely accepted and identified with the people from a variety of nations. China is a multinational country with 56 ethnics and a long history. Moreover, every nation or country has its own taboo numbers.
Basing on the researches and reports concerned, this thesis focuses on the differences between taboo numbers in Chinese and English, also the cultural nature and psychology of ethical culture behind it. Then, in detail, the thesis will reveal the reasons why these phenomena would occur. Combining with the intercultural communication theories of authority such as Politeness Principle, Cooperative Principle and Indirect Speech Act Theory, the thesis aims to help people avoid unnecessary cultural shocks in the intercultural communication and some resolutions are provided too.
This thesis consists of five sections. Section One is the introductory part including the value and significance of this study, research status and research contents, giving the working definition.
Section Two introduces some basic concepts of taboo, number and the relationship between taboo and number.
Section Three demonstrates and analyzes some instances of taboo numbers from the aspects of psychology of ethical culture, religion and historical allusions and tales of legend.
Section Four makes a summary and introduces the relationship between taboo numbers and linguistic characteristics of Chinese and English.
Section Five focuses on some ways to avoid cultural shocks and resolutions are given in intercultural communication.
Key words: taboo numbers; cultural connotation; intercultural communication; difference
