The Image of the Russians in Chinese and Japanese Linguistic Cultures (On the Base of Zoomorphic Metaphor)

Abstract

In this article, authors analyze zoomorphic metaphor that the Chinese and the Japanese used when they characterize the Russians. On the first stage of study we did associative experiment with questionnaire. 100 of Chinese students and 100 of Japanese students took part. On the base of analyze of answers we selected by three typical zoonymes in Chinese and Japanese culture charactering the Russians. On the second stage of study we have analyzed associations and images of these animals existing in Russian, Chinese and Japanese linguistic cultures. The Russians have images of bear, wolf and panther in Chinese culture and bear, wolf and fox in Japanese culture. It must be marked that all images are ambivalent and have as positive as negative characteristics. Because of the image of animals are different in Chinese and Japanese culture, the associations connecting with these animals are also different. But as the Chinese as the Japanese pay attentions on the appearance, then for the Chinese behavior is important, but for the Japanese color, place of living connecting with cold and woolen cloth that the Russian are dressed are important. The association on contiguity (the wool in animal, the cloth in man) is appeared. The white color is also important because it is associated with color of skin. The color is specified in zoonymes used by the Japanese the next way: bear 28 times, hare 10 times, hamster 9 times, fox 6 times, horse 3 times and squirrel 3 times. As for the Chinese this parameter is not important. Zoomorphic metaphor used in the relation with the Russians is connected with the following parameters. As for the Chinese with physical characteristics (powerful, strong and, hard); imagination about Russian nation as a military nation; behavior (rough, aggressive and slow); character (open-hearted, kind and brave). As for the Japanese with appearance (beautiful, tall and white); place of living (cold place, many woolen dresses, resistant to the cold); behavior (slow, not pay attention to the surrounding people); size (big); physical characteristics (powerful).