Comparison of the characteristics for naming geographical objects in Chinese and Western cultures

Abstract

Toponym is rich in cultural connotations, which can help human beings understand the economy, culture, geography, religion of a certain region and a certain stage. With the increasing intercultural communication, cultural exchange has been extended to people's work and life and the significance and influence of toponym in cross-cultural communication has been gradually highlighted. This paper compares the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western place name from three aspects. Due to the unity of human thought, there are similarities between Chinese and Western place names. But because of the great cultural differences between China and the West, there are also great differences in the place names. Chinese place name is more deliberate and rigorous while western people treat place name only as an accusative symbol and the naming of it is more casual and flexible. Therefore, the study of place name can provide insight into the characteristics of Chinese and Western cultures which is important for the promotion of cultural exchange. The article also considers the prospect of using information computer technologies for processing wide layers of toponymic material.

Keywords

• parable
• simile
• metaphor
• arbitrariness
• rationality
• realism
• intentionality
• toponym