Handkerchief：英汉语言文化窥探

摘要

Both English handkerchief and Chinese shoupa are of linguistic value and cultural significance.Based on ontology and etymology,the paper reviews lexical motivation and evolution of handkerchief,and outlines the cultural phenomena of shoupa.Epistemologically,the author interprets such functions of handkerchief as health,environment protection,decoration,emotional transmission,and dialogue to reveal life wisdom,moral rational,civilization heritage,emotional sustenance,and cultural conventions.%中西方handkerchief/手帕一词具有一定的语言价值和文化意义。从语言本体出发,追溯handkerchief的词汇理据,观察西方handkerchief的历史变迁,勾勒中国手帕的文化景象。从认识论出发,阐释手帕的清洁功能、环保功能、装饰功能、传情功能和对话功能,揭示人类的生活智慧、道德理性、文明传承、情感寄托和文化规约。