The Non-equivalence of Language-Value between Chinese and American Cultures Based on the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Abstract

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis advocates the ontology of language, arguing that language affects and even determines human thinking to some extent. In view of the fact that human thinking is abstract and intangible, and that values are the soul of the way of thinking, this paper compares the three sets of non-equivalent phenomena between Chinese and American languages and values. As a result, it can be exemplified that language cannot determine or influence values to a certain extent, that is, language cannot determine or influence people's thinking to a certain extent, thus revealing the irrationality of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. Through in-depth analysis of the differences between Chinese and American values as well as language characteristics, the cultural concepts behind language can be more deeply understood, which is conducive to improving the awareness of cross-cultural communication and enhancing cross-cultural communication ability; on the other hand, the accuracy and authenticity of language selection can also be improved so as to ensure the reliability in the translation practice.