浅议西方茶文化及英语“茶”语

Briefly on Western Tea Culture and "Tea" Expressions in English

茶在16世纪从中国传入欧洲,由上流社会的奢侈品逐渐成为平民的饮品,成为西方人必不可少的饮料。茶特有的多种功能使西方人爱上饮茶,并把中国的茶文化融入了西方的习俗,形成了自己特有的茶文化。英语Tea源于厦门方言的发音,进入英语后,产生了许多与茶相关的茶事、茶饮词汇,丰富了英语语言。由Tea产生的习语含义简洁,喻意深刻,在词义上,Tea还出现了引申及转义现象。

Tea was introduced into Europe in the 16th century,experiencing the change from the luxuries of upper class into the drinks of civilians and becoming an essential beverage for westerners.A variety of specific functions of the tea makes the westerners love for drinking tea.They put the tea culture of China into the custom of the West,thus forming their own unique tea culture.The word ＂tea＂ comes from the pronunciation of Xiamen dialect of China and derivates many words and vivid expressions after coming into being in English.The idioms related to the word ＂tea＂ show deep metaphorical meanings and the word ＂tea＂ also shows its extension and expansion semantically.