Cross-Cultural Perspectives on the Differences in Food and Culinary Customs between the Chinese and Shona Societies with figurative Language as Point of Reference

Abstract

The present study falls under social linguistics. In this study we attempt to use figurative language to compare Chinese and Shona societies. The central argument of the research in anchored by the claim that, figurative languages are an important repository of the culture. Therefore, figurative language (hence, cultural knowledge) should be given an important position the field of Second Language Teaching. Referring to one type of figurative language, Bromley (1984) further pointed out that, idioms “… add confusion and difficulty to learning of language and so they occupy a special position in teaching of language and reading”. The research is expected to prove that language is an important repository and conduit of cultural knowledge. The research therefore advocates awareness of cultural conflict between speakers of different languages during various economic, political or social interactions. The figurative language will be grouped into 4 categories according to which aspect they show differences, namely; availability, edibility, cooking methods and eating customs.