Sector Chagualito y Llurayaco - SISTEMA DE AGUA POTABLE

CAPITULO IV: RESULTADOS

H) SALUD

I) SISTEMA DE AGUA POTABLE

I.4) Sector Chagualito y Llurayaco

FL learning is clearly more than simply translating one’s L1 messages into the L2. It is also learning a new way to think about and interpret the world by understanding the linguistic and cultural concepts that are used to describe and construct this world. Metaphors show us the close connection between language and culture (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). We cannot teach one without the other, even for vocabulary as simple as color words that students learn in their first year of Chinese language instruction. Drawing L2 learners’ attention to the presence of metaphors in language can facilitate their comprehension of the literal and cultural meanings of L2 discourse. In addition, it can also help them learn unfamiliar metaphorical expressions by way of categorizing them according to their systematic semantic themes (Boers, 2000, pp. 145-146). Language learners who receive instruction on cultural metaphors have the potential to acquire new language by applying learned metaphorical meanings to their interpretations of authentic texts and to the learning of new metaphors (Tyler, 2012).

My study shows that a coherent and organized pedagogical presentation of Chinese color metaphors can enhance learners’ language proficiency as well as their awareness of the cultural concepts behind these metaphors. In addition, it suggests that metaphorical concepts, traditionally viewed as a more suitable learning subject for advanced learners, can be also taught to novice learners, as long as the metaphorical concepts are presented systematically, are

developmentally appropriate for the level of the learners, and are used in a meaningful language- learning context.

In summary, conceptual metaphors play an important role in people’s life and daily communication. Understanding the metaphorical implications of the words that language learners encounter and use at early stages of instruction will allow them to comprehend the social, cultural, and historical rationale behind the choice and use of certain words and expressions in their new language and culture.

APPENDIX A

LEXICAL ITEMS (COLOR PHRASES) LIST

# Lexical Item Root conceptual metaphor Pinyin Part of Speech Literal Translation Figurative Meaning 1 红人 POPULARITY IS

RED hóng rén n. red person popular person

2 当红 POPULARITY IS RED dāng hóng v. current red to be in fashion, popular, well- known 3 走红 BEING LUCKY IS

RED zǒu hóng v. walk red

be in luck, have good luck

4 红运 LUCK IS RED hóng yùn n. red move good luck

5 红火 PROSPERITY IS

RED hóng huŏ v. red fire

to develop well and successfully

6 黑店 DISHONESTY IS

BLACK hēi diàn n. black shop

shops that make profits through dishonest ways

7 黑话 ILLEGAL IS

BLACK hēi huà n. black words

slang used by robbers and thieves 8 黑心 EVIL IS BLACK hēi xīn n. black heart evil heart

9 黑钱 ILLEGAL IS

BLACK hēi qián n.

black

money illegal money

10 黑市 ILLEGAL IS

BLACK hēi shì n.

black

market illegal market 11 白眼 DISLIKE IS

WHITE bái yăn n. white eyes

dislike, treat with disdain and impatience

12 白费 USELESS IS

WHITE bái fèi v. white fee labor in vain

13 白事 DEATH IS WHITE bái shì n. white thing funeral

14 白搭 USELESS IS

WHITE bái dā adj. white match no use, no good

15 白说 USELESS IS

WHITE bái shuō v.

white

APPENDIX B

PRE-TEST ON COLOR PHRASES

English Name: _____________________ Chinese Name: ________________________

1. Demographic Info: Male

Female

Age: Nationality:

Your First Language: Languages Used at Home (may list more than one):

2. Interpretation Task 1) Expression: red person

Interpretation: In your opinion, what does “red person” mean?