A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF “DRAGON” IN CHINESE AND AMERICAN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

In the context of the development of global economic integration, intercultural communication is gradually showing a trend of globalization. In intercultural communication, the differences in values between different countries and ethnic groups can easily bring obstacles to the communication between the two parties. At present, the United States and China are the two largest economic entities in the world, with frequent exchanges between countries. Language communication in a intercultural context not only needs to fully respect the culture and language system of the other country, but also needs to avoid misunderstandings caused by different cultural backgrounds in language communication. The 12 Chinese zodiac signs are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The dragon is different from the other 11 real animals. It is imagined by the Chinese. Among many traditional cultural elements, it has risen to a cultural form representing China. The patriotic Chinese and overseas Chinese all over the world maintain a profound cultural identity with the domestic people: everyone is the descendant of the dragon. “Dragon” in the United States often symbolizes great power and is full of danger. Therefore, many Americans will misunderstand the connection between China and the dragon when they see the dragon element in Chinese culture. Therefore, it is necessary to study the “dragon” in the Chinese and American language and cultural systems from a intercultural perspective. This paper uses the method of literature analysis, comparative analysis and interdisciplinary research to explore the root of the Chinese and American “dragon” in language and culture; The differences between the American “dragon” and the following conclusions are drawn: 1) The meaning and image usage of the dragon in the Chinese language and culture system is very different from the American culture's cognition of the “dragon”. 2) In terms of Chinese and American language, culture and translation, it is necessary to reposition and translate the “Dragon”, so as to make the intercultural communication between the two countries smoother and more stable.