Similarities And Differences Between Chinese And Arabic In Language And Culture By Comparison Of Vehicles

In ancient times and today, no matter in Chinese or in or in foreign language, metaphor is the most useful figure of speech, it is regarded as precious art of language which has a rich cultural connotation. It reflects the history, customs and moral values of people. The selection and the use of vehicles focus express the particularity of human society characteristics.As a language image, metaphor is widely used in both Chinese and Arabic languages. The comparison of vehicles between Chinese and Arabic with the aim of demonstrating similarities and differences in language and cultural aspect, might be helpful in learning Chinese or Arabic, and communication between the two cultures. The paper is dived into three aspects to conduct comparison of vehicles between Chinese and Arabic in term of metaphor. Comparison of animal vehicles, comparison of plant vehicles and comparison of natural phenomenon vehicles. The essay analyzes each part, according to similarities and differences of vehicles and their metaphorical meaning, respectively dived as: identical vehicles and similar metaphorical meaning, identical vehicles and different metaphorical meaning, different vehicles and similar metaphorical meaning, finally only one language existing vehicles that are unfamiliar in the other.One base of large information the paper points out three major influencing factors on vehicles selection. They are: Cultural traditions, natural surroundings and social activities.This comparative study and analysis, shows the evolution and language practice among different races, culture and their remarkable influences on it. That also reminds us of the necessary care in dealing with metaphor when we are translating Chinese and Arabic.