Cultural Connotations of Zoonyms in Russian and Chinese Idioms

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the semantics of zoonyms, functioning as components of idiomatic units. In all languages, zoonyms have connotative features in their lexical meaning that serve as a basis for the formation of a metaphorical nomination. The aim of the article is to identify the cultural connotations of zoonyms in Russian and Chinese phraseology. The authors use the method of contextual analysis and linguistic interpretation. The material for the analysis comes from dictionaries of Russian and Chinese idioms, including the names of the twelve animals of the Chinese calendar : rat , ox , tiger , cat , dragon , snake , horse , goat (sheep) , monkey , rooster , dog , and pig . The analysis helps reveal nominations that are non-equivalent or comparable. There are ten zoonyms in Russian phraseology out of the twelve zoonyms that can be found in Chinese idioms. The tiger ( 虎 ) and the dragon ( 龙 ) are specific to Chinese culture. In both systems zoonyms are used in idioms to describe a person. Zoonymic metaphorical models in the Russian language often point to the negative qualities of a person, whereas in Chinese culture more names symbolise positive qualities of a person. From the point of view of overall assessment, zoonyms in both languages are divided into three groups — positive, pejorative, and ambivalent.