语言与文化密不可分,语言是文化的外在反映,同时,文化又促使语言发展。作为一种语言习俗,称谓语自然是语言机制的重要构成部分,与文化有着错综复杂的关联。简言之,称谓语可被视为一类带有浓郁民族文化特色的语言现象。通过探究英汉亲属称谓上的差别,我们可一窥这两个民族在宗法观念、等级制度及价值取向等各个文化层面上的巨大差异。 Language and culture are inseparable, language is the external reflection of culture, at the same time, culture promotes language development. As a language custom, the appellation is of course an important part of the language mechanism, and the culture has a complex relationship. In short, appellations can be regarded as a type of linguistic phenomenon with a strong ethnic culture. By exploring the differences between kinship terms in English and Chinese, we can get a glimpse of the huge differences in the cultural levels of the two ethnic groups in the concepts of patriarchal clan system, hierarchy and value orientation.