论中英文化时间取向的异同

时间取向一是自然顺序法则,二是生命趋势法则,即“过去取向”是与时间流向一致的顺势思维,是下意识的思想行为,含有消极、被动的思想意识;而“未来取向”是符合人生趋势的有意识的,带有主动性的逆势思维,含有积极意义。汉、英文化都有“过去取向”和“未来取向”,言语者有时可以根据思想意图进行概念转换。

On the Issue of Time-Orientations In Chinese and English Cultures

There are two kinds of time-orientation principles applied in English and Chinese language communications. One is the chronological principle; the other is life-evolution principle. The first one means a "past-oriented" down-stream thinking, suggesting a passive attitude. Meanwhile the other is a "future-oriented" counter-current way of thinking, implying an active attitude. This paper, based on sufficient linguistic evidences and cultural analysis, explores the two time-orientations that occur in both English and Chinese language uses. Speakers often make a shift of their time-orientation from one to the other when necessary.