Cultural Differences between English and Chinese Figures of Speech in Sitcoms: Take Home With Kids and Growing Pains as Example

Abstract

Due to the differences in cultural background, social customs and religious beliefs between China and the United States, the languages of each country show their unique differences. This difference not only comes from the construction and expression of the language itself, but also is deeply influenced by the cultural and historical background behind it, and different languages may produce different perspectives and interpretations when understanding and expressing the same thing. Rhetorical patterns, as an important part of language, can be analysed to explore the Chinese and American cultural differences behind them. Sitcoms were introduced to China in the 1990s and have now become an indispensable cultural form in modern entertainment life, and their dialogue relies on a variety of Figures of Speechs to set it off. This paper compares the two popular comedies Home With Kids and Growing Pains in China and the United States, and analyzes the most frequently used and representative rhetorical patterns, such as metaphor, euphemism and hyperbole, from the dialogues of the characters in the comedies, and gives the reasons for the differences behind them. By exploring the obstacles in cross-cultural communication, we can realise the harmonious communication of cross-cultural communication.