On The Differences Of Basic Color Terms In English And Chinese And The Relative Tactics In Teaching Chinese As A Foreign Language

Vocabulary is the most active element in the language system. It reflects the social change and cultural development, it is the mirror of the society and culture, so are the color terms. Therefore, some researches on the ways of teaching color terms should be done to help foreign students who study Chinese to understand Chinese and Chinese culture well.This paper focuses on the cultural difference of basic color terms in Chinese and English and the relative teaching skills in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Firstly, it introduces the definitions, classifications and characteristics of the color terms; analyzing the relationships between culture and language and making some comparisons on the formations and pragmatic functions of the basic color terms of Chinese and English. Then it compares and discusses the cultural connotative meanings of Chinese and English basic color terms. Basing on the error analysis in using color terms of foreign students and the methods and tactics adopted by teachers in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, the paper explores the ways, tactics and appropriate attitude towards the cultural differences in the teaching of color terms in Chinese for foreign students finally, considering that they are of great significance in teaching practice.