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Abstract:language can be quite different (here referring to the meaning) in different contexts. And there are 3 categories of context: the culture, the situation and the co-text. In this article, we will analysis the variance of language in each of the 3 aspects. This article is written for the purpose of making people understand the meaning of a language under specific better.
Key words:the variance of language culture situation co-text
Language plays a very important role for the existence and development of our society. It is not only a tool but also a very flexible tool. It varies a lot from context to context, which is exactly the charm of language.
Specifically, context can be divided into 3 categories: the culture, the situation and the co-text. In the following context, I’m going to talk about the variance of language in each of the 3 aspects mainly from English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
First, language can be quite different in different cultures. Culture refers to the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs of a particular group of people at a particular time. Now let me take a classic example of the brand name of a Chinese company “白象”. When opening the overseas market, the company just translated their Chinese brand name into English literally without any thinking. But they later turn out to make a fool of themselves overseas. For “white elegant” (the literal translation of “白象”) means something big but worthless in the English-speaking countries. If we turn this around, the same meaning can also be put into different expression forms from culture to culture. In China, when we say“红眼病”(which can be translated literally as “red-eyed”), we mean the person is jealous of others. But they use the word “green-eyed” in english. Because the word “green” is often connected with envy in their culture. And if we say somebody is kissing one’s ass in English. In Cantonese, they will say the person is adept at “擦鞋” (which means “to rub one’s shoes” literally). And even the Mandarin and Cantonese pick the different words to express the same meaning according to different cultural backgrounds. E.g. Both “食死猫” in Cantonese and “背黑锅” in Mandarin mean “to take the blame for others” in English. After taking this problem into 2 aspects, now we can clearly understand the variance of language in different cultures.
Second, I’d like to talk about the language variance in different situations. Situation means the set of things that are happening and the conditions that exist at a particular time and place. E.g. 1) A: “How are you.” B: “fine, thank you.” In the above situation, B actually means that “I’m in a good condition and everything goes well.” 2) A: “We are not friends any more.” B: “fine.” In this situation, what B wants to say is “ok, I don’t want to be your friend, either.” 3) A: “How about going hiking?” B: “fine.” Here, B means the agreement of A’s suggestion. The word “唔该” can also explain this point very well. “唔该” is very widely used in the Cantonese-speaking areas. When you say “唔该” to a waiter, it means “Thanks for serving me.” When you say “唔该” to a stranger that is in your way, it means “could you give me the way, please.” When you ask for others’ help, then “唔该” will be the best way to break in. It means “excuse me” here. And after their doing you the favor, you are supposed to say “唔该” again to express your thankfulness. To sum up, language also varies in different situations. The last one is the variance of language in different co-texts. Co-text is a linguistic approach to context. If we want to understand a word correctly, then we must put it into the whole passage. English is a good example, because of the polysemy. For instance, the word “make” can be used in many different senses, when combined with other lexical items. 1)“The regulation were made to protect children.”, “make” means “enact”. 2)“We made a good breakfast yesterday.”, “make” here means “eat or have”. 3)“He made 4,000 Yuan a month.”, “make” means “earn”. Words can also be different according to different grammatical co-texts. Like in the structure—“get+n.”, “get” here means “to receive”. But the “get” in “get+adj.” means “to become”. What’s more, what a pronoun stands for is ambiguous in different co-texts too. 1) “Lucy is a good student, and she is pretty as well.” 2) “Linda is my friend, and she is pretty.” In the two sentences above, “she” in the first sentence means “Lucy” but “Linda” in the second There are still many other examples; here we just name a few of them.
Bibliography
1.Lyons, J. 1981. Language, Meaning and Context. London: Fontana.
2.Amdin.一词多义现象在语用学中的语境分析探究2011(12)
3.胡壮麟：《语言学教程》北京大学出版社2006（9）
Key words:the variance of language culture situation co-text
Language plays a very important role for the existence and development of our society. It is not only a tool but also a very flexible tool. It varies a lot from context to context, which is exactly the charm of language.
Specifically, context can be divided into 3 categories: the culture, the situation and the co-text. In the following context, I’m going to talk about the variance of language in each of the 3 aspects mainly from English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
First, language can be quite different in different cultures. Culture refers to the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs of a particular group of people at a particular time. Now let me take a classic example of the brand name of a Chinese company “白象”. When opening the overseas market, the company just translated their Chinese brand name into English literally without any thinking. But they later turn out to make a fool of themselves overseas. For “white elegant” (the literal translation of “白象”) means something big but worthless in the English-speaking countries. If we turn this around, the same meaning can also be put into different expression forms from culture to culture. In China, when we say“红眼病”(which can be translated literally as “red-eyed”), we mean the person is jealous of others. But they use the word “green-eyed” in english. Because the word “green” is often connected with envy in their culture. And if we say somebody is kissing one’s ass in English. In Cantonese, they will say the person is adept at “擦鞋” (which means “to rub one’s shoes” literally). And even the Mandarin and Cantonese pick the different words to express the same meaning according to different cultural backgrounds. E.g. Both “食死猫” in Cantonese and “背黑锅” in Mandarin mean “to take the blame for others” in English. After taking this problem into 2 aspects, now we can clearly understand the variance of language in different cultures.
Second, I’d like to talk about the language variance in different situations. Situation means the set of things that are happening and the conditions that exist at a particular time and place. E.g. 1) A: “How are you.” B: “fine, thank you.” In the above situation, B actually means that “I’m in a good condition and everything goes well.” 2) A: “We are not friends any more.” B: “fine.” In this situation, what B wants to say is “ok, I don’t want to be your friend, either.” 3) A: “How about going hiking?” B: “fine.” Here, B means the agreement of A’s suggestion. The word “唔该” can also explain this point very well. “唔该” is very widely used in the Cantonese-speaking areas. When you say “唔该” to a waiter, it means “Thanks for serving me.” When you say “唔该” to a stranger that is in your way, it means “could you give me the way, please.” When you ask for others’ help, then “唔该” will be the best way to break in. It means “excuse me” here. And after their doing you the favor, you are supposed to say “唔该” again to express your thankfulness. To sum up, language also varies in different situations. The last one is the variance of language in different co-texts. Co-text is a linguistic approach to context. If we want to understand a word correctly, then we must put it into the whole passage. English is a good example, because of the polysemy. For instance, the word “make” can be used in many different senses, when combined with other lexical items. 1)“The regulation were made to protect children.”, “make” means “enact”. 2)“We made a good breakfast yesterday.”, “make” here means “eat or have”. 3)“He made 4,000 Yuan a month.”, “make” means “earn”. Words can also be different according to different grammatical co-texts. Like in the structure—“get+n.”, “get” here means “to receive”. But the “get” in “get+adj.” means “to become”. What’s more, what a pronoun stands for is ambiguous in different co-texts too. 1) “Lucy is a good student, and she is pretty as well.” 2) “Linda is my friend, and she is pretty.” In the two sentences above, “she” in the first sentence means “Lucy” but “Linda” in the second There are still many other examples; here we just name a few of them.
Bibliography
1.Lyons, J. 1981. Language, Meaning and Context. London: Fontana.
2.Amdin.一词多义现象在语用学中的语境分析探究2011(12)
3.胡壮麟：《语言学教程》北京大学出版社2006（9）