A comparative study of Thai and Russian color idioms
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Abstract
This research studied meanings of Thai and Russian color idioms, comparing natural and sociocultural reflections through descriptive analysis. Data for idiom meanings were gathered from three Thai collections of idiom and a Russian phraseological dictionary. Idioms about four colors (red, green, white and black) were used as a case study, with eighty-four examples in Thai and eighty-nine examples in Russian. Results were that colors reflected diverse symbolic meanings. In Thai and Russian idioms, red meant superiority, beauty, dignity and good fortune. Green signified anger and stupidity. White represented goodness, cleanliness, heroism, cowardice, and alienation. Black symbolized hatred, guilt, misfortune and beauty. Positive and negative connotation were represented in several idioms in both languages. Color idioms had similar reflections in Thai and Russian: 1) nature;
2) human and animal behavior and customs; 3) past human lifestyles; and 4) religion and belief. Thai color idioms reflected nature more, while Russian ones primarily reflected human and animal behavior as well as customs. These findings may be applicable in teaching Russian language and cross-cultural communication classes.
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